eric_ocean
Pre-Flight
- Joined
- Apr 4, 2006
- Messages
- 44
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osprey1
i was wondering if , anyone could help...id like to purchase a handheld comm....any help on quality and price , would be apreciated....thanks ....eric
eric_ocean said:i was wondering if , anyone could help...id like to purchase a handheld comm....any help on quality and price , would be apreciated....thanks ....eric
AdamZ said:I have the Sporty's brand. I think its called the SP200. Not a bad radio and the price was the best of the lot. FWIW I also think Icom is an excellent brand.
I use mine for getting AWOS, ATIS etc. Clearances and taxi instructions when needed. Overtime it may save you a few clicks on the hobbs. You should not expect clear communications with Approach unless you have an external antena hookup. These things just arent that strong. I'd say if your within 10nm of the tower you could probably communicate ok but if your at 8K in the goo in the middle of nowhere don't expect it to be johnny on the spot.
I have two suggestions actually three.
1) Get the Headset adapter. This is a MUST. Imagine yourself at 8K in the goo and dead radios. Its loud, bumpy and a little anxiety provoking perhaps. YOu have one hand on the yoke and the other is on the hand held, the throttle and writting crap down. All the while trying to listen to a voice through static on the handhelds tiny speaker. Being able to plug the handheld into the head set can make you life so much simpler . I think the have PTTs for this as well but not sure how they work.
2) Get the alkyline battery pack ( Sportys and some brands have it as standard some its an extra cost) If your on a long X/C and your rechargable drains you need the charger to recharge it. That takes time and extra space in your bag. Also the longer I use the rechargables the less charge they hold. Newer tech may have solved that but I don't know. If your AAs die you just pop in new ones. No waiting to recharge.
3)Think about that external antena hook up unless of course if your a renter.
As for price www.joepilot.com has the best prices I have seen.
BTW not sure where you are in your rating. Are you a pp, IR rated , student. If ya don't have the IR yet and $$ is an issue ( its always an issue LOL) I'd lean toward getting a good handheld GPS first. But perhaps your planes have GPS already.
eric_ocean said:are there any handhelds that are FAA certified?