Pascal Forget
Pre-takeoff checklist
My aircraft is a DA20-C1 1999. Vfr only, steam gauges. I can probably not justify spending upwards of 30k$ For panel upgrades.
Radios are noisy and this is driving me nuts. I currently have one King KLX125a which more often than not has garbled reception, especially in the springtime whent it’s cold and humid. And a KLX135A which is noisy, possibly because it is connected to a cheap belly antenna. Audio panel is a Bendix King KA 134, which is a little rustic imho.
I want to swap out one of these two radios, probably the KX125 as it is the worst one, and replace it with either a new Garmin Nav/Com, or maybe just a com, or put in a used Garmin 430W and hope I get a clearer radio without all that horrible static. Which option would you take?
With the upcoming decomissioning of most VORs in North America, does it even still make sense for a simple vfr airplane to spend the extra money for a nav/com radio over a com only radio?
I’m also looking at possibly replacing the audio panel with a PS Engineering 8000G. Can anyone report on the effectiveness of the active static control feature of this audio panel?
Lastly I am considering installing a Stratus ES transponder for adsb-out as my ageing transponder will need to be repaced soon.
Ideally I would not want to spend more than 15000$ all in for:
1) getting at least one good radio
2) adsb-out 1090ES (I am located in Canada)
3) Leaving my options open for the future installation of dual Garmin G5s when/if a canadian stc ever becomes available down the road.
I thank you in advance for any advice you may have.
Radios are noisy and this is driving me nuts. I currently have one King KLX125a which more often than not has garbled reception, especially in the springtime whent it’s cold and humid. And a KLX135A which is noisy, possibly because it is connected to a cheap belly antenna. Audio panel is a Bendix King KA 134, which is a little rustic imho.
I want to swap out one of these two radios, probably the KX125 as it is the worst one, and replace it with either a new Garmin Nav/Com, or maybe just a com, or put in a used Garmin 430W and hope I get a clearer radio without all that horrible static. Which option would you take?
With the upcoming decomissioning of most VORs in North America, does it even still make sense for a simple vfr airplane to spend the extra money for a nav/com radio over a com only radio?
I’m also looking at possibly replacing the audio panel with a PS Engineering 8000G. Can anyone report on the effectiveness of the active static control feature of this audio panel?
Lastly I am considering installing a Stratus ES transponder for adsb-out as my ageing transponder will need to be repaced soon.
Ideally I would not want to spend more than 15000$ all in for:
1) getting at least one good radio
2) adsb-out 1090ES (I am located in Canada)
3) Leaving my options open for the future installation of dual Garmin G5s when/if a canadian stc ever becomes available down the road.
I thank you in advance for any advice you may have.