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#21
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I recently went through a similar situation, mulling over all the same
things. I thought my MX300's were failing, I knew my audio panel was garbage, and I thought the wiring back there was questionable. Ran the gamut from Garmin530 to 300XL (on ebay - recond) all the way down to new KX155's or MX300's. I have a decent DME but no ADF, which I wouldnt mind having but not willing to drop over $1k for it. I gambled that my radios were ok and had all my wiring ripped out and redone (it was really bad, previous owners mechanic did some splices that were, well, borderline unsafe) and got a new audio panel (PS Engineering PMA700B - awesome unit). I really didn't have the need for IFR GPS just yet, and am willing to wait for WAAS - got it in a cheap handheld for $150, cant be far behind for aviation. The marker beacon works great in the audio panel, the GS doesnt work on one particular frequency, unfortunately that freq is used at an airport nearby. So, now sorting out the known from the unknown, and having the avionics shop rewire in a way that prepares me for easier future upgrades, I can better assess which way to go in the future. Ideas: GNS530 or MFD, ModeS Transponder with TIS (GTX330) and maybe a KX155 or similar (some newer technology) for second NAV/COM. My problem right now is panel space, 2 MX300's take up alot of space, and I also have a Ross Loran which is as big, and it works great, when I turn it on. Panel rework is in the cards similar to newer Cessna panels, maybe 2 rows for avionics if needed. Later, Chris "Colin Kingsbury" wrote in message news Because a topic like this never gets too old 1979 172 with original Cessna (RT-385 IIRC?) radios, the NAV frq display on the #1 box failed and the partners now finally agree it's not worth repairing. I'm contemplating two options: 1. Replace with a slide-in replacement like the TKM series, which will get me a new box and standby freqs (woo-hoo!) Anybody here have those, or suggest others? Advantage here is v. low cost to install versus something like a KX-155 upgrade which would require rewiring, etc. 2. Replace with an IFR GPS/Com. This addresses ADF/DME, but costs us one VOR. I don't think people will go for buying a second nav/com as well so it needs to be a one-box upgrade. Current stack has 2x Nav/Com, 1x ADF, 1x Mode C, Audio panel w/ marker beacon, and an M1 Loran, all original equipment. The audio panel's getting fussy and the ADF won't lock on to the lower-powered beacons until you're on top of them. If it was up to me I'd yank it all but I've got 4 other guys who fly less and almost never fly IFR so they're less picky. Best, -cwk. |
#22
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"SeeAndAvoid" wrote in message ink.net...
I gambled that my radios were ok and had all my wiring ripped out and redone (it was really bad, previous owners mechanic did some splices that were, well, borderline unsafe) and got a new audio panel (PS Engineering PMA700B - awesome unit). Cool nerves on the gamble I really didn't have the need for IFR GPS just yet, and am willing to wait for WAAS - got it in a cheap handheld for $150 What handheld for $150 has WAAS? Hope you can get the GS repaired. And last but not least: What do you mean, coming in this time of night? Welcome back Chris, good to hear you. Sydney |
#23
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"Snowbird" wrote
What handheld for $150 has WAAS? Guess I need to clarify, non-aviation GPS, a Garmin Etrex Legend. Hope you can get the GS repaired. Eh, at least I know what one freq doesnt work, gotta recover from this expense before the wife lets me crack open the account again like that. I'll just wait for it built-in to something nicer. What do you mean, coming in this time of night? Hehe, like my stomach, I have no clock. Welcome back Chris, good to hear you. Thanks, right back at ya. On a separate but slightly related note (upgrades) just ordered a Trafficscope VRX, you think I trust ATC? Long Thanksgiving flight coming up (yes, to Grandmas) with PIREP on it to follow. I was chatting with a guy on freq the other day about TCAS, TCADs, TIS, and TPAS, he figured with ATC keeping an eye out, why spend the money. When I told him it was my next purchase he worriedly said "you want one and you ARE an ATCS?" Oh ya. Guess I didn't instill much confidence there. Chris |
#24
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I'm contemplating two options:
1. Replace with a slide-in replacement like the TKM series, which will get me a new box and standby freqs (woo-hoo!) Anybody here have those, or suggest others? Advantage here is v. low cost to install versus something like a KX-155 upgrade which would require rewiring, etc. Colin, if you are still watching this: there are couple MX-385's on ebay right now, might be worth checking out. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...m=2443732 478 http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...m=2443864 172 |
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