Just got my ticket and I plan to purchase a handheld Nav-Comm for back-up
but it is said that they're useless at altitude without an external antenna
connection. What connector do I use (BNC?) and how do I go about doing this
on rented C172s? Any alternatives/suggestions? Thanks in advance.

In article >,
"almostthere" > wrote:

> Just got my ticket and I plan to purchase a handheld Nav-Comm for back-up
> but it is said that they're useless at altitude without an external antenna
> connection. What connector do I use (BNC?) and how do I go about doing this
> on rented C172s? Any alternatives/suggestions? Thanks in advance.

Tthe connectors on the patch cord from the radio to the external antenna
will depend on what radio you purchase. Not all radios have BNC
connectors.

The rubber ducky antenna will work at altitude, just not as
well as an external antenna. I have used a King KX99 at
35,000 feet in King Air to talk to Center and the same King
KX 99 from a Bonanza below 3000 AGL to talk to FSS and tower
for landing clearance.

If you rent, the owner is not going to want you breaking his
antenna harness.



--
James H. Macklin
ATP,CFI,A&P

"john smith" > wrote in message
...
| In article
>,
| "almostthere" > wrote:
|
| > Just got my ticket and I plan to purchase a handheld
Nav-Comm for back-up
| > but it is said that they're useless at altitude without
an external antenna
| > connection. What connector do I use (BNC?) and how do I
go about doing this
| > on rented C172s? Any alternatives/suggestions? Thanks
in advance.
|
| Tthe connectors on the patch cord from the radio to the
external antenna
| will depend on what radio you purchase. Not all radios
have BNC
| connectors.

Use the suction cup antenna that came with your radio.

-Robert


almostthere wrote:
> Just got my ticket and I plan to purchase a handheld Nav-Comm for back-up
> but it is said that they're useless at altitude without an external antenna
> connection. What connector do I use (BNC?) and how do I go about doing this
> on rented C172s? Any alternatives/suggestions? Thanks in advance.

almostthere wrote:
> > Just got my ticket and I plan to purchase a handheld Nav-Comm for back-up
> > but it is said that they're useless at altitude without an external antenna
> > connection. What connector do I use (BNC?) and how do I go about doing this
> > on rented C172s? Any alternatives/suggestions? Thanks in advance.

My handheld has been used from 6 miles out with no external antenna and
worked just fine.

wrote:
> almostthere wrote:
> > > Just got my ticket and I plan to purchase a handheld Nav-Comm for back-up
> > > but it is said that they're useless at altitude without an external antenna
> > > connection. What connector do I use (BNC?) and how do I go about doing this
> > > on rented C172s? Any alternatives/suggestions? Thanks in advance.
>
> My handheld has been used from 6 miles out with no external antenna and
> worked just fine.

That doesn't sound very useful. 6 miles is a pretty short distance to
try to raise Center.

-Robert

2 comments for you -
1. I don't need an external antenna on my Icom A23 - it works fine -
even for homing in on elt's in Search and Rescue training.

The Nav may help in an emergency but don't expect too much from it.

Do you have a gps yet? That would be my first buy

HTH

Tony

--

Tony Roberts
PP-ASEL
VFR OTT
Night
Cessna 172H C-GICE

In article >,
"almostthere" > wrote:

> Just got my ticket and I plan to purchase a handheld Nav-Comm for back-up
> but it is said that they're useless at altitude without an external antenna
> connection. What connector do I use (BNC?) and how do I go about doing this
> on rented C172s? Any alternatives/suggestions? Thanks in advance.

they work great for talking.. just not so great for nav reception
get the ICOM A6(comm only) or A24(comm/nav)

BT


"Jim Macklin" > wrote in message
news:l3Svg.78950$ZW3.64979@dukeread04...
> The rubber ducky antenna will work at altitude, just not as
> well as an external antenna. I have used a King KX99 at
> 35,000 feet in King Air to talk to Center and the same King
> KX 99 from a Bonanza below 3000 AGL to talk to FSS and tower
> for landing clearance.
>
> If you rent, the owner is not going to want you breaking his
> antenna harness.
>
>
>
> --
> James H. Macklin
> ATP,CFI,A&P
>
> "john smith" > wrote in message
> ...
> | In article
> >,
> | "almostthere" > wrote:
> |
> | > Just got my ticket and I plan to purchase a handheld
> Nav-Comm for back-up
> | > but it is said that they're useless at altitude without
> an external antenna
> | > connection. What connector do I use (BNC?) and how do I
> go about doing this
> | > on rented C172s? Any alternatives/suggestions? Thanks
> in advance.
> |
> | Tthe connectors on the patch cord from the radio to the
> external antenna
> | will depend on what radio you purchase. Not all radios
> have BNC
> | connectors.
>
>

I've stood on the ground and talked to an aircraft 20 miles away..

air to air is even better.

BT

> wrote in message
...
> almostthere wrote:
>> > Just got my ticket and I plan to purchase a handheld Nav-Comm for
>> > back-up
>> > but it is said that they're useless at altitude without an external
>> > antenna
>> > connection. What connector do I use (BNC?) and how do I go about doing
>> > this
>> > on rented C172s? Any alternatives/suggestions? Thanks in advance.
>
> My handheld has been used from 6 miles out with no external antenna and
> worked just fine.

On Thu, 20 Jul 2006 19:17:30 +0000, almostthere wrote:

> Just got my ticket and I plan to purchase a handheld Nav-Comm for back-up
> but it is said that they're useless at altitude without an external antenna
> connection. What connector do I use (BNC?) and how do I go about doing this
> on rented C172s? Any alternatives/suggestions? Thanks in advance.

My old CFI had a Sporties unit. He loved it. Even the nav function was
usable, but I don't recall the range the said. I bought one for my father
for Christmas; shortly after he got his IFR ticket. He also says it works
very well. Again, I don't remember the range but I do remember him
talking about it working fairly well in the plane; again, including the
nav feature.

Right now, it seems like the Sporties handheld is the best bang for the
buck in handheld nav/coms. And reports from two people I know, plus
others I've read here, all have good stuff to say about it.


Greg

almostthere wrote:
> Just got my ticket and I plan to purchase a handheld Nav-Comm for back-up
> but it is said that they're useless at altitude without an external antenna
> connection. What connector do I use (BNC?) and how do I go about doing this
> on rented C172s? Any alternatives/suggestions? Thanks in advance.

I'm thinking of doing the same(getting a handheld). Anyone have
experiences w/ the Yaesu's? Their prices seam to be a little better.

Monk

> > My handheld has been used from 6 miles out with no external antenna and
> > worked just fine.

"Robert M. Gary" > wrote:
> That doesn't sound very useful. 6 miles is a pretty short distance to
> try to raise Center.

I didn't say that was the maximum distance it works w/o an antenna ...
it may well have a much further range. That's just the furthest I know
for a fact that it worked fine w/no antenna.

Flyingmonk,

> Anyone have
> experiences w/ the Yaesu's?
>

My wife sells them in her pilot shop. Great units, people love them.
Very compact and light weight, water resistant. The 710 is more compact
than the cheaper 300 and runs on LiIon batteries. If you use it as an
emergency back-up, get the battery box for non-rechargables, since they
will hold charge much longer.

--
Thomas Borchert (EDDH)

Robert,

> Use the suction cup antenna that came with your radio.
>

Can you point to a handheld radio that comes with a suction cup antenna
for external mounting? Or even for internal mounting?

--
Thomas Borchert (EDDH)

Almostthere,

> Just got my ticket and I plan to purchase a handheld Nav-Comm for back-up

Why nav? For that, you would probably be better served with a handheld GPS.

> but it is said that they're useless at altitude without an external antenna
> connection.

Useless is too strongly put. But don't expect much more than 5 or 10 miles
range.

> What connector do I use (BNC?)

The one that the handheld uses. Some have BNC, some smaller connectors. Or you
use an adaptor to BNC. If you want to use the antennas for the built-in comms,
you will need a special splitter box so that the handheld will not transmit
into the panel comm.

> and how do I go about doing this
> on rented C172s?

You don't, I'm afraid. That's to say, you don't have control over what's
installed in a rental.

--
Thomas Borchert (EDDH)

I currently have a Vertex Standard VXA Pro V 150 which if I'm not mistaken is the same as Yaesu. I had an Icom
before it was stolen. My personal preference is the Icom.

Joe Schneider
N8437R

"Flyingmonk" > wrote in message ups.com...
>
> almostthere wrote:
>> Just got my ticket and I plan to purchase a handheld Nav-Comm for back-up
>> but it is said that they're useless at altitude without an external antenna
>> connection. What connector do I use (BNC?) and how do I go about doing this
>> on rented C172s? Any alternatives/suggestions? Thanks in advance.
>
> I'm thinking of doing the same(getting a handheld). Anyone have
> experiences w/ the Yaesu's? Their prices seam to be a little better.
>
> Monk
>
>



----== Posted via Newsfeeds.Com - Unlimited-Unrestricted-Secure Usenet News==----
http://www.newsfeeds.com The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! 120,000+ Newsgroups
----= East and West-Coast Server Farms - Total Privacy via Encryption =----

A friend had a Sproty's and the only downside was the viewing angle of
the display. Could not view it straight on. Saw others that did the same
thing. I have a ICOM transciever only. When you get one GET the headset
adaptor. I tried to use mine in a J-3 since it didn't have radios and we
were going into a towered field. Almost impossible to use. Glad the
owner was flying and I was talking and yelling at him instructions.

Ross
KSWI

Greg Copeland wrote:

> On Thu, 20 Jul 2006 19:17:30 +0000, almostthere wrote:
>
>
>>Just got my ticket and I plan to purchase a handheld Nav-Comm for back-up
>>but it is said that they're useless at altitude without an external antenna
>>connection. What connector do I use (BNC?) and how do I go about doing this
>>on rented C172s? Any alternatives/suggestions? Thanks in advance.
>
>
> My old CFI had a Sporties unit. He loved it. Even the nav function was
> usable, but I don't recall the range the said. I bought one for my father
> for Christmas; shortly after he got his IFR ticket. He also says it works
> very well. Again, I don't remember the range but I do remember him
> talking about it working fairly well in the plane; again, including the
> nav feature.
>
> Right now, it seems like the Sporties handheld is the best bang for the
> buck in handheld nav/coms. And reports from two people I know, plus
> others I've read here, all have good stuff to say about it.
>
>
> Greg
>
>

I can just see it now...

4000 ft, pilot contacts tower...

ATC: Pilot, what are your intentions?
Pilot: I intend to buy a handheld.

--
Jeff Shirton (PP-ASEL) jshirton at cogeco dot ca
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
He didn't sound like a baseball player... He said things like,
"Nevertheless", and "if, in fact." - Dan Quisenberry on Ted Simmons
Challenge me (Theophilus) for a game of chess at Chessworld.net!

"Flyingmonk" > wrote in message ups.com...
:
: almostthere wrote:
: > Just got my ticket and I plan to purchase a handheld Nav-Comm for back-up
: > but it is said that they're useless at altitude without an external antenna
: > connection. What connector do I use (BNC?) and how do I go about doing this
: > on rented C172s? Any alternatives/suggestions? Thanks in advance.
:
: I'm thinking of doing the same(getting a handheld). Anyone have
: experiences w/ the Yaesu's? Their prices seam to be a little better.
:
: Monk
:

Yes, I have the "Pilot" (don't remember the number, vxa-210?) that I picked up a number of years ago with the accessory
AA pack, external antenna adapter, charger, and headphone adapter, all for a very good price from Avionics West
(http://avionicswest.net/). Works very well, is solid and compact. I like it...

On Sat, 22 Jul 2006 11:55:03 GMT, ".Blueskies."
> wrote:

>: I'm thinking of doing the same(getting a handheld). Anyone have
>: experiences w/ the Yaesu's? Their prices seam to be a little better.

Isn't Yaseu now called Vertex? I've owned both, but comm only; I had
the nav feature in a Sporty's when I first started flying and found it
useless for my purposes. I tried it once to prove it really worked,
but I use a GPS with eyeball backup for nav purposes.


-- all the best, Dan Ford

email: usenet AT danford DOT net

Warbird's Forum: www.warbirdforum.com
Piper Cub Forum: www.pipercubforum.com
In Search of Lost Time: www.readingproust.com

The NAV function is of use when you have to talk to FSS on a COM
frequency and listen on a NAV.
Also, weather information is available on some NAV's

john smith > wrote:
> The NAV function is of use when you have to talk to FSS on a COM
> frequency and listen on a NAV.

Is that capability built in, or do you have to switch frequencies every
time you switch between transmitting and receiving?

.... Alan

--
Alan Gerber
gerber AT panix DOT com

In article >,
Alan Gerber > wrote:

> john smith > wrote:
> > The NAV function is of use when you have to talk to FSS on a COM
> > frequency and listen on a NAV.
>
> Is that capability built in, or do you have to switch frequencies every
> time you switch between transmitting and receiving?

Built into the ICOM's.
The original A-2 had the same processor programming as the ham 2m IC-2AT.
Using the 2AT instructions on programming the repeater duplex offset,
one could program the air band to perform the same function (tune NAV to
listen/receive, depress PTT button and the frequencey would change to
the COM frequency to transmit.

Thomas Borchert wrote:
> Flyingmonk,
>
> > Anyone have
> > experiences w/ the Yaesu's?
> >
>
> My wife sells them in her pilot shop. Great units, people love them.
> Very compact and light weight, water resistant. The 710 is more compact
> than the cheaper 300 and runs on LiIon batteries. If you use it as an
> emergency back-up, get the battery box for non-rechargables, since they
> will hold charge much longer.
>
> --
> Thomas Borchert (EDDH)

Thanks Thomas BTW, my little brother is named Thomas also 8^)

What's Yaesu's latest and smallest com only model out right now? Price
and size? How much shipping to east coast? Cheaper 4 me to buy
locally maybe? Is quality competitive with Icoms?

Thanks again,
Monk

Thank you all for your inputs re: the Yaesu radios. Next step is for
me to physically see and feel the difference between the Icom and the
Yaesu and do a value (bang for bucks) comparison. Next visit to the
airport, I'll see if i can try them at the FBO.

Monk

"Flyingmonk" > wrote in message
oups.com...
>
> Thank you all for your inputs re: the Yaesu radios. Next step is for
> me to physically see and feel the difference between the Icom and the
> Yaesu and do a value (bang for bucks) comparison. Next visit to the
> airport, I'll see if i can try them at the FBO.
`
You know, I don't think I have seen anyone mention what I consider a couple
of the most important things, to me

One, is what the method of selecting a frequency is. If you have to push a
button that raises the frequency one step at a time, you have to sit there
and wait, and watch as it scrolls around to what you want. Pain in the but,
I think. I like a keyboard to enter the numbers.

Second, is how easy is it to put a frequency into memory. If it is not
something you do often, is it going to be difficult to remember the sequence
of buttons to get the right things flashing and entered, whatnot, to get the
job done?
--
Jim in NC

Cub,

> Isn't Yaseu now called Vertex?
>

Yep. Same company, obscure branding ;-)

--
Thomas Borchert (EDDH)

Flyingmonk,

> What's Yaesu's latest and smallest com only model out right now?

They quit upgrading the comm only models with the 150. Guess it's no big
deal to add nav once you have it figured out. Their most compact is the
VXA-710. More info at http://www.vertexstandard.com

> Price
> and size? How much shipping to east coast? Cheaper 4 me to buy
> locally maybe?

Absolutely buy in the US. My wife's shop is in Germany ;-) Pilotmall.com
or Avshop.com will sell them.

> Is quality competitive with Icoms?
>

Absolutely. Yaesu/Vertex Standard is a major ham radio manufacturer with
decades of experience, just like Icom.

--
Thomas Borchert (EDDH)

On Mon, 24 Jul 2006 01:34:17 -0400, "Morgans"
> wrote:

>Second, is how easy is it to put a frequency into memory. If it is not
>something you do often, is it going to be difficult to remember the sequence
>of buttons to get the right things flashing and entered, whatnot, to get the
>job done?

I have to get out the manual whenever I do anything with my Vertex
(formerly Yaseu). But then I get out the manual whenever I do anything
with my Garmin too.


-- all the best, Dan Ford

email: usenet AT danford DOT net

Warbird's Forum: www.warbirdforum.com
Piper Cub Forum: www.pipercubforum.com
In Search of Lost Time: www.readingproust.com

Morgans wrote:
> You know, I don't think I have seen anyone mention what I consider a couple
> of the most important things, to me
>
> One, is what the method of selecting a frequency is. If you have to push a
> button that raises the frequency one step at a time, you have to sit there
> and wait, and watch as it scrolls around to what you want. Pain in the but,
> I think. I like a keyboard to enter the numbers.
>
> Second, is how easy is it to put a frequency into memory. If it is not
> something you do often, is it going to be difficult to remember the sequence
> of buttons to get the right things flashing and entered, whatnot, to get the
> job done?

Some personal experience points about the A24:

Frequency selection can be accomplished via keypad or rotary knob, take
your pick. The keypad can be locked out so inadvertent changes are
ignored. Holding the 121.5 key for a few seconds overrides the lockout.

Memory - The A24 remembers the last (10) frequencies used, in addition
to the current, so I've never bothered with memories or alpha tags. In
my personal experience, I'm consulting a chart or AF/D for much more
than the last 10. Hitting the "CLR" key drops you out of the 10
memories back to the current.

Sorry to reply to my own post, but I believe most radio manuals are know
available as .pdf's via manufacturer web sites. This makes operational
comparisons very easy, as one can compare the difficulty of the personal
tasks most often required of the unit.

I'm sure my most common uses for a handheld would be different than a
glider pilot or FBO lineman.

I agree. I have the VXA-700 because it has two-meter FM along with the
standard aviation stuff. Another neat feature is it displays battery
voltage in the lower right corner so you know when it's time to put it
on the charger.

Thomas Borchert wrote:

> Flyingmonk,
>
>
>>What's Yaesu's latest and smallest com only model out right now?
>
>
> They quit upgrading the comm only models with the 150. Guess it's no big
> deal to add nav once you have it figured out. Their most compact is the
> VXA-710. More info at http://www.vertexstandard.com
>
>
>>Price
>>and size? How much shipping to east coast? Cheaper 4 me to buy
>>locally maybe?
>
>
> Absolutely buy in the US. My wife's shop is in Germany ;-) Pilotmall.com
> or Avshop.com will sell them.
>
>
>>Is quality competitive with Icoms?
>>
>
>
> Absolutely. Yaesu/Vertex Standard is a major ham radio manufacturer with
> decades of experience, just like Icom.
>

Newps,

> I have the VXA-700 because it has two-meter FM along with the
> standard aviation stuff.
>

Unfortunately, the 700 is not available anymore. The 710 is the 700
without the 2-meter band. Apparently (it was never clearly said) there
were FCC issues with the 2-meter leaking into the airband or vice
versa. All of a sudden, they stopped offering the 700 with no real
explanation. That was about a year ago.

--
Thomas Borchert (EDDH)

Well, glad I got mine when I did.



Thomas Borchert wrote:

> Newps,
>
>
>>I have the VXA-700 because it has two-meter FM along with the
>>standard aviation stuff.
>>
>
>
> Unfortunately, the 700 is not available anymore. The 710 is the 700
> without the 2-meter band. Apparently (it was never clearly said) there
> were FCC issues with the 2-meter leaking into the airband or vice
> versa. All of a sudden, they stopped offering the 700 with no real
> explanation. That was about a year ago.
>

I have the Icom A24. Works very well for me but I do agree that the
Nav/com is lacking. What ever umit you get I would suggest these
options....
Get the Headset adaptor...and the remote push to talk key I would
also get the AA battery adaptor. Nice to have if you are like me and
carry spares for the assorted flashlights. etc.

almostthere wrote:
> Just got my ticket and I plan to purchase a handheld Nav-Comm for back-up
> but it is said that they're useless at altitude without an external antenna
> connection. What connector do I use (BNC?) and how do I go about doing this
> on rented C172s? Any alternatives/suggestions? Thanks in advance.

On 23 Jul 2006 20:17:34 -0700, "Flyingmonk" >
wrote:

>
>Thank you all for your inputs re: the Yaesu radios. Next step is for
>me to physically see and feel the difference between the Icom and the
>Yaesu

Again, I think you'll find that the name is Vertex. If you find one
branded Yaesu, it will be five or six years old.


-- all the best, Dan Ford

email: usenet AT danford DOT net

Warbird's Forum: www.warbirdforum.com
Piper Cub Forum: www.pipercubforum.com
In Search of Lost Time: www.readingproust.com

Cub Driver wrote:
> On 23 Jul 2006 20:17:34 -0700, "Flyingmonk" >
> wrote:
>
> >
> >Thank you all for your inputs re: the Yaesu radios. Next step is for
> >me to physically see and feel the difference between the Icom and the
> >Yaesu
>
> Again, I think you'll find that the name is Vertex. If you find one
> branded Yaesu, it will be five or six years old.
>
>From www.yaesu.com --

Vertex Standard - Land Mobile Radio/ Airband Radio

Standard Horizon - Marine Division

Yaesu - Amateur (Ham) Radio

Randy

Slightly divering topic here...
I stopped by the ICOM booth at AirVenture last week to discuss the
A-6/A-24.
I mentioned to the rep that I have an A-2 and an A-20 and wondered if I
could get a part replaced.
He said something about them being 20 years old.
I had to stop and think for a moment.
Where did the time go?
Later I bought a new, higher powered battery pack from Batteries.com to
replace the dead original CM-7.
The radio still works great.
I have so much invested in chargers and accessories, I cannot bring
myself to purchase a new handheld when the old one is perfectly
serviceable.