radios for a C150

[Tom-D]

The Nifty fifty has an old ARC 312 installed, and the com side is not working. What would be your favorite radio for a VFR C-150?

we must buy a transponder/mode C. which one would you buy?

OBTW it has a intercom and it's working.

 

[taters]

KX-155. or Narco Mark 9 the digital ones.

 

[somorris]

My nifty 150 has the slide in TKM MX 300. I like it. My transponder works OK, but if I were replacing, I would use a Garmin that would work with ADS-B in/out.

 

[Tom-D]

KX-155. or Narco Mark 9 the digital ones.

Why would you want to spend that much money on a VFR radio?

That would mean a complete rewire and new nav head.

 

[Tom-D]

My nifty 150 has the slide in TKM MX 300. I like it. My transponder works OK, but if I were replacing, I would use a Garmin that would work with ADS-B in/out.

Will the MX 300 replace the 312? I know they will for the 328. but the older 312?

 

[taters]

Why would you want to spend that much money on a VFR radio?

That would mean a complete rewire and new nav head.

Because I want it to work and last a while

 

[PilotAlan]

The Nifty fifty has an old ARC 312 installed, and the com side is not working. What would be your favorite radio for a VFR C-150?

we must buy a transponder/mode C. which one would you buy?

OBTW it has a intercom and it's working.

If you need just a comm, get an Icom A210 (and see if you can find an new-in-box A200 on someone's shelf somewhere).
I have an A200. It cost me $650, the audio is as clear as can be.

If you need a NavComm, I'd probably get a KX155 from the shelf somewhere. There's lots out there from all the Garmins getting installed.

 

[Tom-D]

We are thinking one of these :

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=198&pID=124

and one of these

http://www.valavionics.com/productPages/comms/commRadios.htm#2000

with a gismo docking station for a Lorance 2000

http://www.airgizmos.com/prod/pd6/index.asp

 

[somorris]

Will the MX 300 replace the 312? I know they will for the 328. but the older 312?

I'm don't know, Tom. I can do a little research over the weekend on the C-150/152 Club site and see if I can find anything.

 

[SCCutler]

Tom:

1. If the trays are the same, get a TKM - they are good radios (even if they look a little goofy);

2. If not that, I'll second the vote for the iCom - they're great radios, knwon for being tough.

3. If you already have the Lowrance - great. If not, I'd get a Gizmo for a Garmin 296/396/496 - they're gonna be better-supported. You know Lowrance has bailed from the aviation market.

You could also get a Terra, which are good radios, with support continuing through TSTC (they own the product line, now).

http://www.terraavionics.com/terrapricing.php

COM $795.00
XPDR with encoder $1,000.00

It's an idea.

 

[poadeleted20]

I agree that it would be wasteful to spend the resources necessary to replace the tray and wiring if you can slide in an MX-300. My experience with TKM radios has been completely satisfactory over the years.

 

[n12365]

The Nifty fifty has an old ARC 312 installed, and the com side is not working. What would be your favorite radio for a VFR C-150?

we must buy a transponder/mode C. which one would you buy?

OBTW it has a intercom and it's working.

I had to replace the transponder in my 172 last year and went with a Garmin GTX327. I also considered the GTX320A, but the 327 has a few features that are nice for IFR. For your VFR airplane, I would go with either the 320A or the 327, whichever you can get cheaper. I would stay away from vacuum tube based transponders and I wouldn't worry about ADS-B compliance for the transponder.

 

[Tom-D]

I agree that it would be wasteful to spend the resources necessary to replace the tray and wiring if you can slide in an MX-300. My experience with TKM radios has been completely satisfactory over the years.

I have several customers with the MX300 series radios they have no problems either.

my only reservation with that radio was it is a big heavy radio, it costs about 1300 and change, and the problem in the 150 may be the nav head or wires.

weather has been nasty so we are on hold to figure that out.

what's your opinion of the, garmin transponders? https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=198&pID=124

 

[poadeleted20]

I have several customers with the MX300 series radios they have no problems either.

my only reservation with that radio was it is a big heavy radio, it costs about 1300 and change, and the problem in the 150 may be the nav head or wires.

I thought you said the problem was the comm side? And if you compare that price to the price of other nav/comm options, isn't it about the same or less?

what's your opinion of the, garmin transponders? https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=198&pID=124

I've had a GTX330 in my for over four years now, and I think it's great. Just be darn careful about hitting the IDENT button in turbulence in the DC SFRA, as it's right above the VFR button which switches the unit to 1200.

 

[Tom-D]

I thought you said the problem was the comm side?

Yes that too. we know the comm side doesn't work, the nav head won't pick up the CVV VOR at 3 miles, but that is pretty common on the ground at OKH, IOWs it isn't tested.

And if you compare that price to the price of other nav/comm options, isn't it about the same or less?

the val com 2000 is $990, comes with prewired harness, tray, and install/user manual

I've had a GTX330 in my for over four years now, and I think it's great. Just be darn careful about hitting the IDENT button in turbulence in the DC SFRA, as it's right above the VFR button which switches the unit to 1200.

the 330 and the 327 are about the same transponder except the 330 is mode S ????? switching will be the same?

I'm thinking, fly it down to Salem Or. (VAL Av) and have them do the whole install they are the Garmin dealer and they sell their VAL COM 2000. that way if the blue smoke gets out it's on them.

 

[poadeleted20]

the 330 and the 327 are about the same transponder except the 330 is mode S ?????

Yes.

switching will be the same?

The switches on the face are the same.

I'm thinking, fly it down to Salem Or. (VAL Av) and have them do the whole install they are the Garmin dealer and they sell their VAL COM 2000. that way if the blue smoke gets out it's on them.

I guess the VAL is fine if the ARC's nav side actually does work and you don't mind leaving the ARC in the plane to give you nav while adding the VAL to give you comm, but I thought you were objecting to the MX-300 on weight grounds, and I know the MX-300 is no heavier than the ARC, so you'd be adding weight that way.

 

[Tom-D]

I guess the VAL is fine if the ARC's nav side actually does work

checked it today, the ARC is toast. it doesn't even turn on, the fuse was blown, changed it, and tried again, fuse blew again., turned off both sides, changed the fuse, turned on the com side, fuse blew again, turned off the com, changed the fuse, turned on the nav side fuse blew again.

more than likely the radio, but could be the harness, not worth the problems to run an old nav head that's probably bad too.

bye bye ARC, and MX300 option.

I'll talk to the owner tomorrow, see what he thinks about my suggestion of the VAL COM 2000C with a Garmin 327.

I'd also like the Garmin GNC 250-XL, but it is no longer offered new or supported. plus we have a Lorance 2000 already.

 

[poadeleted20]

Is the owner happy with having no VOR nav capability? Or are you going to stick in a VAL nav radio, too? If the owner wants nav, given the total cost of the VAL option, it might still be worth checking the wiring to see if an MX-300 would solve the problem.

 

[Tom-D]

Is the owner happy with having no VOR nav capability? Or are you going to stick in a VAL nav radio, too? If the owner wants nav, given the total cost of the VAL option, it might still be worth checking the wiring to see if an MX-300 would solve the problem.

We must wait and see, he hasn't made that decision. It really depends upon what he is going to use the 150 for.

IMHO the GPS docking station is all he needs for nav.

 

[poadeleted20]

We must wait and see, he hasn't made that decision. It really depends upon what he is going to use the 150 for.

IMHO the GPS docking station is all he needs for nav.

Unless he's planning either IFR or night SVFR, a docked Garmin x96 or Aera (and a current sectional) should provide all the nav capability he needs to fly a 150.

 

[Tom-D]

Unless he's planning either IFR or night SVFR, a docked Garmin x96 or Aera (and a current sectional) should provide all the nav capability he needs to fly a 150.

There is a lot of options, that why I asked. he already has the Lorance 2000C

 

[Tom-D]

Done deal...... it's a ValCom 2000, Garmin GTX 327. and a lorance 2000c Docking station. it will be his burger chaser.