On Jun 25, 2:03*pm, JS wrote:
* The XCOM 760 is another good inexpensive choice. My club has two of
them in the trainers, and they work great. XCOMs have a low current
draw.
PRO: You can listen to two frequencies at once, handy for monitoring
UNICOM or an area frequency, or listening to other gliders while
talking to ATC. I've heard people like the large knobs.
CON: The XCOM is set up for an electret condenser mic. All the
electret boom mics I've used were too flexible for use while in
turbulence, steep turns, rolling on a grass runway, etc typical of
glider flight. Better to use a sturdy dynamic boom mic (Becker,
Dittel, etc.) and a preamp.
* Yet another inexpensive radio, the Microair, seems to go down the
toilet quickly when the battery gets low. OK in the tow plane or with
a 14V installation, marginal with 12V and no charging system.
* Battery consumption is a big deal with a club glider. Batteries
inevitably get misused and radios left on between flights, leaving
nothing at the end of the day.
If it's not too cloudy, the 2-panel Strobl Solar system keeps the
voltage up even with a transponder running.
Jim

Jim,

I've had a Microair for several years. Yes, it's been back to
Australia once, but that was years ago and the thing has been solid
since. About three years ago, I had my panel rewired, PROPERLY, at a
local avionics shop. Folks say the transmissions sound great. I'm
running with 12 volts. Also powers a 302, an Ipaq, and a Borgelt
B-40. I think the radio works just fine.

Ray