Good panel mount COM radio and intercom w/push-to-talk?

[John Huebbe]

I am in the process of building a Sonex--all metal airplane--and I am
wanting to install a panel mount COM radio and intercom with
push-to-talk using headsets for both passenger and pilot. No external
speaker. The plane I am flying right now is a single place, with no
electrical system-so I don't have a radio in it.

My question is:
What do you think is the best/cheapest--yet still realiable radio and
intercom system to use?? I am just looking for COM no NAV, as I just
use a hand-held GPS I got at K-Mart---works great!! I have looked at
some radios online and boy, what prices for what I consider a
glorified CB radio. There must be something out there, I hope. I
will have an electrical system on this plane--12 volt.

Thanks for any help you can give me.

[Wayne Paul]

I like the Filser ATR-57.

http://www.pipistrel.si/images/ATR57UL%20manual.pdf

Transmissions are push-to-talk and intercom is VOX controlled.

This is a quality transceiver and can not be considered a "glorified CB
radio."

Ed Hollestelle at Solaire Canada sales them. (
http://www.solairecanada.com )

Wayne
http://www.soaridaho.com/Schreder


"John Huebbe" > wrote in message
om...
> I am in the process of building a Sonex--all metal airplane--and I am
> wanting to install a panel mount COM radio and intercom with
> push-to-talk using headsets for both passenger and pilot. No external
> speaker. The plane I am flying right now is a single place, with no
> electrical system-so I don't have a radio in it.
>
> My question is:
> What do you think is the best/cheapest--yet still realiable radio and
> intercom system to use?? I am just looking for COM no NAV, as I just
> use a hand-held GPS I got at K-Mart---works great!! I have looked at
> some radios online and boy, what prices for what I consider a
> glorified CB radio. There must be something out there, I hope. I
> will have an electrical system on this plane--12 volt.
>
> Thanks for any help you can give me.

[jls]

"John Huebbe" > wrote in message
om...
> I am in the process of building a Sonex--all metal airplane--and I am
> wanting to install a panel mount COM radio and intercom with
> push-to-talk using headsets for both passenger and pilot. No external
> speaker. The plane I am flying right now is a single place, with no
> electrical system-so I don't have a radio in it.
>
> My question is:
> What do you think is the best/cheapest--yet still realiable radio and
> intercom system to use?? I am just looking for COM no NAV, as I just
> use a hand-held GPS I got at K-Mart---works great!!
Who makes the GPS? Please describe it and the name and number on it.

I know someone who put a Micro-Air in his Champ and he likes it. It's made
in Australia.

[Craig]

(John Huebbe) wrote in message >...

> My question is:
> What do you think is the best/cheapest--yet still realiable radio and
> intercom system to use?? I am just looking for COM no NAV, as I just
> use a hand-held GPS I got at K-Mart---works great!! I have looked at
> some radios online and boy, what prices for what I consider a
> glorified CB radio. There must be something out there, I hope. I
> will have an electrical system on this plane--12 volt.
>


Collins Microline.....available from almost anywhere with prices from
about two hundred bucks on eBay to about 800 overhauled and with the
latest updates from Eastern Avionics. The unit takes about a 3" square
hole in the panel. Superior reliability and I've never had an audio or
power output problem with one yet.

YMMV.....

Craig C.

[john smith]

Cannot go wrong with an RST Engineering/Jim Weir 443(?) panel mount
intercom. I have had the 442(?) portable model since 1982.

John Huebbe wrote:
> I am in the process of building a Sonex--all metal airplane--and I am
> wanting to install a panel mount COM radio and intercom with
> push-to-talk using headsets for both passenger and pilot. No external
> speaker. The plane I am flying right now is a single place, with no
> electrical system-so I don't have a radio in it.
>
> My question is:
> What do you think is the best/cheapest--yet still realiable radio and
> intercom system to use?? I am just looking for COM no NAV, as I just
> use a hand-held GPS I got at K-Mart---works great!! I have looked at
> some radios online and boy, what prices for what I consider a
> glorified CB radio. There must be something out there, I hope. I
> will have an electrical system on this plane--12 volt.
>
> Thanks for any help you can give me.

[Jim Weir]

The only problem with Microair, especially if you are trying to run two of them,
is that their key line does not conform with aviation standards. The aviation
standard is that the transmitter is placed into the transmit mode when the key
line drops below 3 volts. This allows for a couple of isolation diode drops in
a typical dual-radio or audio panel installation. The Microair must be brought
below 0.6 volts on the key line to go into the transmit mode.

Just a caution...

Jim




Richard Riley >
shared these priceless pearls of wisdom:

->I've had good experience both with MicroAir and X-Air, from Australia.


Jim Weir (A&P/IA, CFI, & other good alphabet soup)
VP Eng RST Pres. Cyberchapter EAA Tech. Counselor
http://www.rst-engr.com

[John Huebbe]

> Who makes the GPS? Please describe it and the name and number on it.
>
> I know someone who put a Micro-Air in his Champ and he likes it. It's made
> in Australia.

I bought this GPS unit several years ago at K-Mart. I have been using
it for a long time now in two different airplanes that I have built.
I just made a simple mount for it that I can remove the GPS when I am
not using it. It is velcroed in place in the mount. It has
everything I need. I guess it just shows the basics ie; speed, eta,
distance, has an arrow pointing me in the right direction etc.. It is
a Garmin 12, handheld. Cost me $100.00. I had to reload some new
software to it a couple of years ago when it could not locate itself
anymore. Anyhow, it is not fancy but it keeps me from reading water
towers.
Also, someone locally mentioned to me about using a VALCOM Com radio.
Anybody heard or used this?
Thanks

[Jerry Springer]

John Huebbe wrote:
>>Who makes the GPS? Please describe it and the name and number on it.
>>
>>I know someone who put a Micro-Air in his Champ and he likes it. It's made
>>in Australia.
>
>
> I bought this GPS unit several years ago at K-Mart. I have been using
> it for a long time now in two different airplanes that I have built.
> I just made a simple mount for it that I can remove the GPS when I am
> not using it. It is velcroed in place in the mount. It has
> everything I need. I guess it just shows the basics ie; speed, eta,
> distance, has an arrow pointing me in the right direction etc.. It is
> a Garmin 12, handheld. Cost me $100.00. I had to reload some new
> software to it a couple of years ago when it could not locate itself
> anymore. Anyhow, it is not fancy but it keeps me from reading water
> towers.
> Also, someone locally mentioned to me about using a VALCOM Com radio.
> Anybody heard or used this?
> Thanks

I have two Valcom's in my RV-6, I like them, work very well. Some do not
like toggle switches to change freq., but I do not find it a problem at
all. They are in the $600.00 range and have built in push to talk
intercom capability although I do not use this feature, I like voice
activated.

Jerry

[OSKI 3]

Subject: Good panel mount COM radio and intercom w/push-to-talk

I have a Hatz Biplane with little room for
Electronics. I used a MicroAir Radio
and it has a built in intercom and a MicroAir Txponder. Have been in for 2
years now and not a problem with either.
Completely satisfied with both. Good Luck.

Oski
N101SX

[Stealth Pilot]

On 24 Nov 2004 15:23:19 -0800, (John Huebbe) wrote:

>I am in the process of building a Sonex--all metal airplane--and I am
>wanting to install a panel mount COM radio and intercom with
>push-to-talk using headsets for both passenger and pilot. No external
>speaker. The plane I am flying right now is a single place, with no
>electrical system-so I don't have a radio in it.
>
>My question is:
>What do you think is the best/cheapest--yet still realiable radio and
>intercom system to use?? I am just looking for COM no NAV, as I just
>use a hand-held GPS I got at K-Mart---works great!! I have looked at
>some radios online and boy, what prices for what I consider a
>glorified CB radio. There must be something out there, I hope. I
>will have an electrical system on this plane--12 volt.
>
>Thanks for any help you can give me.

the gold standard must be the Icom A200.
my intercom is run through the back of the radio but the RST kit that
jim weir puts out is flawless imho. I installed one in a cessna about
8 years ago that has never missed a beat.

Stealth Pilot

[pete]

Icom A200. I have had one for over 10 years and it works flawlessly. It also
has an intercom built in, although I haven't tried this feature, you will
have to check it out yourself...
"OSKI 3" > wrote in message
...
> Subject: Good panel mount COM radio and intercom w/push-to-talk
>
> I have a Hatz Biplane with little room for
> Electronics. I used a MicroAir Radio
> and it has a built in intercom and a MicroAir Txponder. Have been in for
2
> years now and not a problem with either.
> Completely satisfied with both. Good Luck.
>
> Oski
> N101SX