transceiver suggestions?

[mmilano]

i was thinking about picking up a transceiver. any recommendations? anything i should look for in peticular?

so far, the Vertex VXA-210 from sporty's seems like the best value.

 

[TDKendall]

I guess alot depends on what you want out of your handheld. Basic and simple communications (SP-200 from Sporty's® does that quite well for a reasonable price) or are you wanting a full Navigations/communications package?

From your comment about wanting the VXA-210, it looks like you're wanting to go the route of full navigation/communications so that leaves the decision up to your pocketbook and how much of a NAV/COM handheld it'll let you buy.

 

[flyingcheesehead]

i was thinking about picking up a transceiver. any recommendations? anything i should look for in peticular?

I bought an SP-200 in April. AFAIK, It's the only one that'll do localizers. It worked great, right up until it quit working a week or two ago. I put a new set of batteries in, used it once, and then it wouldn't turn on the next time. I figured that I just left it on and burned up the batteries, but another fresh set didn't bring it back to life.

I will report back about Sporty's customer service soon!

 

[Michael]

I had an issue with sportys once. They asked me to send them back a card for the GPS. I knew that wasnt the problem and insisted on a new unit. they wouldnt do it. so i shipped the whole thing back, got my money back and went elsewhere. i got my money refunded quickly though.

 

[AirBaker]

I've got the Icom A5. Works just fine for me. I can't really see using the 'nav' function in flight. Even with an electrical failure.

 

[mmilano]

thanks. if it's something that i'm going to have for a long time, i just want to make sure i get a quality product. a price difference of $100-$200 over a few year's time of use isn't a whole lot, especially in aviation dollars. although that is no reason to make foolhardy purchases

 

[AdamZ]

I have the Sportys SP200. It seems to work well with in a few miles of a Tower. My main suggestion is to get one with an alklyine battery pack vs. a rechargeable.

 

[Ghery]

I have the Sportys SP200. It seems to work well with in a few miles of a Tower. My main suggestion is to get one with an alklyine battery pack vs. a rechargeable.

What Adam said. NiCd batteries self discharge at an unacceptable rate if you are going to leave the radio in the flight bag and only use it now and then. Alkylines (with a spare pack) are the way to go for radios that aren't used on a frequent basis.

 

[grattonja]

ICom A23 sport with the alkyline pack. I like it. Good backup tool. Not too expensive and decent features.

YMMV

Jim G

 

[Missa]

I've got the Icom A5. Works just fine for me. I can't really see using the 'nav' function in flight. Even with an electrical failure.

The only reason I have been thinking about the Nav/Com function over the just Com is the several areas of duplex communications with FSS Northern lower MI. With out the Nav function you can't pick up the FSS transmissions over the VOR frequancy.

If it's suppose to be an emergancy back up so I can talk to someone in case of electrical or other failures, I want to be able to hear them too.

Missa

 

[gismo]

thanks. if it's something that i'm going to have for a long time, i just want to make sure i get a quality product. a price difference of $100-$200 over a few year's time of use isn't a whole lot, especially in aviation dollars. although that is no reason to make foolhardy purchases

I have a Yaesu (AKA Vertex) handheld navcomm and there's two things I don't like about it. One is that it doesn't work well with an external antenna. I've tried it in two different aircraft and get the same result, the squelch breaks at any useable setting. I'm pretty sure the problem is that the front end (the active RF amp connected to the antenna) is being overloaded by out of band signals. A minor related nit is that the antenna connector is SMA rather than the more common BNC so an adapter is required. The one that Yaesu offers can put serious stress on the radio so I made my own in the form of a cable with SMA on one end and BNC on the other.

The other problem is that adjusting the squelch requires navigating through several layers of button pushing, knob turning menus.

Other than those issues, I think it's a good radio, but I'd go with ACOM if I had to do it over again.

The only reason I have been thinking about the Nav/Com function over the just Com is the several areas of duplex communications with FSS Northern lower MI. With out the Nav function you can't pick up the FSS transmissions over the VOR frequancy.

If it's suppose to be an emergancy back up so I can talk to someone in case of electrical or other failures, I want to be able to hear them too.

Missa

Some comm only handhelds do allow audio reception on VOR frequencies and duplex operation. I agree that the nav function is of little value. Besides the fact that it isn't likely to have much range connected to your external com antenna (the VOR signals require a horizontal antenna), navigating with the handheld means you can't communicate. In a pinch with no working GPS on board it might be useful to navigate to a nearby VOR but I wouldn't count on it. Now that you can get an older but useable portable GPS on the cheap, I'd definitely skip the VOR function in a handheld comm unless you just wanted to spend the extra money.

 

[Missa]

Some comm only handhelds do allow audio reception on VOR frequencies and duplex operation.

I'll have to check that out. I've been looking at the ICOMs, you don't happen to know if they have that feature?

Missa

 

[AirBaker]

If it's suppose to be an emergancy back up so I can talk to someone in case of electrical or other failures, I want to be able to hear them too.

Missa

I'm thinking that in an emergency, calling up FSS wouldn't cross my mind.

However I have yet to test that fact myself...

 

[gismo]

I'll have to check that out. I've been looking at the ICOMs, you don't happen to know if they have that feature?

Missa

ICOM A4 and A6 comm only radios will receive VOR audio, the A5 cannot. I believe that both the A4 and A6 do support duplex, but you should query icom to be sure.

http://www.icomamerica.com/avionics/

 

[woodstock]

I am pretty sure I am going to get the A6. I don't think I'd need the NAV feature, as eventually I'm going to get a handheld GPS too.

 

[Missa]

I'm thinking that in an emergency, calling up FSS wouldn't cross my mind.

However I have yet to test that fact myself...

What would you do in Northeastern lower MI (along lake Huron) There aren't any towered airports and down low there is no one to talk to but FSS and they have duplex communications there. You can try the emergancy frequancey, but if no one answers... what next? I'd like to call Lansing FSS and let someone know what's going on.

Missa

 

[gismo]

What would you do in Northeastern lower MI (along lake Huron) There aren't any towered airports and down low there is no one to talk to but FSS and they have duplex communications there. You can try the emergancy frequancey, but if no one answers... what next? I'd like to call Lansing FSS and let someone know what's going on.

Missa

You could talk to center if you knew the frequency. I've never ever been required to use a VOR frequency for comm to center or any TRACON, and they have full coverage around Michigan above the MEA's (roughly 4000 AGL). I see two RCO's for center up there. In Minneapolis center airspace you have one at KPLN (134.6) and in Cleveland center's space you have one at MBS (127.7). The same facilities most likely also have 121.5 capability.

 

[AirBaker]

Like I said, I've never had an inflight emergency yet. However, I've always had better reception, in my experience, with ATC and/or 121.5.

But hey, it might be an option if everything else went to ****.

 

[cherokeeflyboy]

I'm thinking that in an emergency, calling up FSS wouldn't cross my mind.

However I have yet to test that fact myself...

Down low, no radar coverage, lost, low on fuel, need vectors to vfr field
FSS could give you a DF steer (might have to climb). Dont know if Lock...is going to certify specialists to do a steer or do away with that capability.

My point is in an emergancy, FSS could be your best friend. If I could not easily reach ATC it would be the natrual thing to do..


KD

 

[HPNPilot1200]

FSS could give you a DF steer

Does anyone know how many FSS have DF equip. still installed and operational/functional? I know a few FSS removed their DF equip. as radar and other technology came into play.

 

[Missa]

You could talk to center if you knew the frequency. I've never ever been required to use a VOR frequency for comm to center or any TRACON, and they have full coverage around Michigan above the MEA's (roughly 4000 AGL). I see two RCO's for center up there. In Minneapolis center airspace you have one at KPLN (134.6) and in Cleveland center's space you have one at MBS (127.7). The same facilities most likely also have 121.5 capability.

So boping along in a Citabra at 3000 Ft MSL along the lake shore under the clouds would mean I couldn't pick up center. So who do I call... FSS on duplex.

Does anyone know how many FSS have DF equip. still installed and operational/functional? I know a few FSS removed their DF equip. as radar and other technology came into play.

Lansing FSS still has it for Northern MI. I got a cool tour when I was still a student and they showed me the equipment.

Missa

 

[HPNPilot1200]

Lansing FSS still has it for Northern MI. I got a cool tour when I was still a student and they showed me the equipment.

Missa

Thanks for the info Missa! The equipment is neat, but very outdated.

 

[Missa]

Thanks for the info Missa! The equipment is neat, but very outdated.

Yea, they said they don't used it hardly ever and they don't even bother when the plane in trouble is in Southern MI cause DTW can pick the plane up and give vectors far better. But they keep it for low flying planes in the area I've been describing and for the UP.

Missa