Portable/handheld radio

On Feb 20, 11:25 pm, "Danny Deger" wrote:
I am just about ready to buy an older Taylorcraft that has no electrical
system. I am looking for recommendations on a battery operated radio to use
in the plane. I would really like one that also works as an intercom.

I don't know of any handheld radio that works as an intercom. Those
are usually two separate units. I've had great luck with the Softcomm
portable intercoms. I've had my current one for over 10 yrs.

I just retired my old KX-99 handheld and bought an Icom A-6. The
A-24 version has the nav channels. Since I've never been impressed
with any handheld's nav capabilities, I opted to skip that feature
altogether and go with the A-6.

It's an excellent radio. I can pick up ground traffic at PHX, which
is 5 miles away. Something my old KX-99 can't do. I've had nothing
but good reports on the transmitter, both in the plane and out.

I bought mine from Marv Golden, who not only had a great price on
the unit, but was also offering a free alkaline battery pack with the
unit, along with all of the usual stuff like a charger, Nicad pack and
headset adapter.

BTW- An external antenna makes a huge difference in your transmission
quality. I used to use my old KX-99 as my primary radio when I was
based at a class B airport. With the external antenna, I had no
problems talking to approach from 30 miles out. When I only used the
installed rubber duck antenna, I was lucky to transmit 3-4 miles.


John Galban======N4BQ (PA28-180)

In article . com,
"John Galban" wrote:

I just retired my old KX-99 handheld and bought an Icom A-6. The
A-24 version has the nav channels. Since I've never been impressed
with any handheld's nav capabilities, I opted to skip that feature
altogether and go with the A-6.

The advantage of having the NAV frequencies is that you can duplex with
AFSS over a VOR. The radio can be set to listen on the VOR frequency and
transmit on the COM frequency when the PTT is depressed.
The NAV function does not work well because of the antenna polarization.
NAV frequencies are horizontal, COM frequencies are vertical.

On Feb 21, 9:32 am, john smith wrote:
In article . com,

The advantage of having the NAV frequencies is that you can duplex with
AFSS over a VOR. The radio can be set to listen on the VOR frequency and
transmit on the COM frequency when the PTT is depressed.
The NAV function does not work well because of the antenna polarization.
NAV frequencies are horizontal, COM frequencies are vertical.

That is true. It was a handy feature 20 yrs. ago, but the
proliferation of RCOs, even out here in the west, means that it's a
pretty rare occasion that you actually have to talk to and FSS over a
VOR. I haven't done it in years. YMMV.

Antenna polarization is the key to nav performance on the
handheld. I once hooked mine up to the horizontal nav antenna
instead of the vertical com antenna. Nav performance was rock solid,
but my com performance suffered quite a bit.

John Galban=====N4BQ (PA28-180)

You bring up an interesting point...

I wonder if there is some sort of "black box" that will allow you to connect
both a Com and a Nav to a handheld at the same time?




"John Galban" wrote in message
oups.com...
On Feb 21, 9:32 am, john smith wrote:
In article . com,

The advantage of having the NAV frequencies is that you can duplex with
AFSS over a VOR. The radio can be set to listen on the VOR frequency and
transmit on the COM frequency when the PTT is depressed.
The NAV function does not work well because of the antenna polarization.
NAV frequencies are horizontal, COM frequencies are vertical.

That is true. It was a handy feature 20 yrs. ago, but the
proliferation of RCOs, even out here in the west, means that it's a
pretty rare occasion that you actually have to talk to and FSS over a
VOR. I haven't done it in years. YMMV.

Antenna polarization is the key to nav performance on the
handheld. I once hooked mine up to the horizontal nav antenna
instead of the vertical com antenna. Nav performance was rock solid,
but my com performance suffered quite a bit.

John Galban=====N4BQ (PA28-180)