Portable/handheld radio

[Danny Deger]

I am just about ready to buy an older Taylorcraft that has no electrical
system. I am looking for recommendations on a battery operated radio to use
in the plane. I would really like one that also works as an intercom.

Danny Deger

[Michelle P]

Danny Deger wrote:
> I am just about ready to buy an older Taylorcraft that has no electrical
> system. I am looking for recommendations on a battery operated radio to use
> in the plane. I would really like one that also works as an intercom.
>
> Danny Deger
>
>
any icom aviation product will do. The more power the better. I have an
old Icom A22 brick. still works great Have used it twice.
Michelle P

[john smith]

In article >,
"Danny Deger" > wrote:

> I am just about ready to buy an older Taylorcraft that has no electrical
> system. I am looking for recommendations on a battery operated radio to use
> in the plane. I would really like one that also works as an intercom.

I fly a 1945 Champ. I have flown for the past 25 years with an ICOM A2
or A20 and using an RST-442 portable intercom. I had an external antenna
installed on the wing root fairing and fed the coax into the cabin at
the leading edge of the wing where it covers the top corner of the
windscreen. This space also served as a convenient space to store the
cable when not in use.

[John Galban]

On Feb 20, 11:25 pm, "Danny Deger" > wrote:
> I am just about ready to buy an older Taylorcraft that has no electrical
> system. I am looking for recommendations on a battery operated radio to use
> in the plane. I would really like one that also works as an intercom.

I don't know of any handheld radio that works as an intercom. Those
are usually two separate units. I've had great luck with the Softcomm
portable intercoms. I've had my current one for over 10 yrs.

I just retired my old KX-99 handheld and bought an Icom A-6. The
A-24 version has the nav channels. Since I've never been impressed
with any handheld's nav capabilities, I opted to skip that feature
altogether and go with the A-6.

It's an excellent radio. I can pick up ground traffic at PHX, which
is 5 miles away. Something my old KX-99 can't do. I've had nothing
but good reports on the transmitter, both in the plane and out.

I bought mine from Marv Golden, who not only had a great price on
the unit, but was also offering a free alkaline battery pack with the
unit, along with all of the usual stuff like a charger, Nicad pack and
headset adapter.

BTW- An external antenna makes a huge difference in your transmission
quality. I used to use my old KX-99 as my primary radio when I was
based at a class B airport. With the external antenna, I had no
problems talking to approach from 30 miles out. When I only used the
installed rubber duck antenna, I was lucky to transmit 3-4 miles.


John Galban======>N4BQ (PA28-180)

[john smith]

In article om>,
"John Galban" > wrote:

> I just retired my old KX-99 handheld and bought an Icom A-6. The
> A-24 version has the nav channels. Since I've never been impressed
> with any handheld's nav capabilities, I opted to skip that feature
> altogether and go with the A-6.

The advantage of having the NAV frequencies is that you can duplex with
AFSS over a VOR. The radio can be set to listen on the VOR frequency and
transmit on the COM frequency when the PTT is depressed.
The NAV function does not work well because of the antenna polarization.
NAV frequencies are horizontal, COM frequencies are vertical.

[Danny Deger]

"Danny Deger" > wrote in message
...
>I am just about ready to buy an older Taylorcraft that has no electrical
>system. I am looking for recommendations on a battery operated radio to
>use in the plane. I would really like one that also works as an intercom.
>
> Danny Deger
>

Thanks for all of the posts. It looks like I need two separate units. One
for the radio and one for the intercom. I may just go with the radio and a
hand held mic. The Tcraft is side by side, so an intercom is not needed
that badly.

Can anyone give me ideas how and where to mount the radio? I am thinking on
the panel (if there is room) with the antenna up far enough to give it some
exposure. If you have any, please email me some pics of your mounting
technique.

Danny Deger

[John Galban]

On Feb 21, 9:32 am, john smith > wrote:
> In article om>,
>
> The advantage of having the NAV frequencies is that you can duplex with
> AFSS over a VOR. The radio can be set to listen on the VOR frequency and
> transmit on the COM frequency when the PTT is depressed.
> The NAV function does not work well because of the antenna polarization.
> NAV frequencies are horizontal, COM frequencies are vertical.

That is true. It was a handy feature 20 yrs. ago, but the
proliferation of RCOs, even out here in the west, means that it's a
pretty rare occasion that you actually have to talk to and FSS over a
VOR. I haven't done it in years. YMMV.

Antenna polarization is the key to nav performance on the
handheld. I once hooked mine up to the horizontal nav antenna
instead of the vertical com antenna. Nav performance was rock solid,
but my com performance suffered quite a bit.

John Galban=====>N4BQ (PA28-180)

[John Galban]

On Feb 21, 9:52 am, "Danny Deger" > wrote:
>
> Can anyone give me ideas how and where to mount the radio? I am thinking on
> the panel (if there is room) with the antenna up far enough to give it some
> exposure. If you have any, please email me some pics of your mounting
> technique.
>

First, I'd recommend borrowing a handheld and trying it out in your
plane. Many older planes that don't have electrical systems, also
don't have very good shielding on the ignition systems. I've flown
some old Champs and Cubs that had so much ignition noise that the
handheld was useless. Best to try it out before you buy.

John Galban=====>N4BQ (PA28-180)

[Bill Denton]

You bring up an interesting point...

I wonder if there is some sort of "black box" that will allow you to connect
both a Com and a Nav to a handheld at the same time?




"John Galban" > wrote in message
oups.com...
> On Feb 21, 9:32 am, john smith > wrote:
> > In article om>,
> >
> > The advantage of having the NAV frequencies is that you can duplex with
> > AFSS over a VOR. The radio can be set to listen on the VOR frequency and
> > transmit on the COM frequency when the PTT is depressed.
> > The NAV function does not work well because of the antenna polarization.
> > NAV frequencies are horizontal, COM frequencies are vertical.
>
> That is true. It was a handy feature 20 yrs. ago, but the
> proliferation of RCOs, even out here in the west, means that it's a
> pretty rare occasion that you actually have to talk to and FSS over a
> VOR. I haven't done it in years. YMMV.
>
> Antenna polarization is the key to nav performance on the
> handheld. I once hooked mine up to the horizontal nav antenna
> instead of the vertical com antenna. Nav performance was rock solid,
> but my com performance suffered quite a bit.
>
> John Galban=====>N4BQ (PA28-180)
>
>
>

[john smith]

In article >,
"Danny Deger" > wrote:

> Can anyone give me ideas how and where to mount the radio? I am thinking on
> the panel (if there is room) with the antenna up far enough to give it some
> exposure. If you have any, please email me some pics of your mounting
> technique.

With the external antenna, I have a 3.5-inch wide nylon webbing strap
that goes around my thigh. The belt clip on the radio slides onto the
webbing and the radio rests on my thigh. The buttons and knobs are
easily accessible and the LCD display is readily visible.

[Vaughn Simon]

"john smith" > wrote in message
...
> In article >,
> "Danny Deger" > wrote:
>
>> Can anyone give me ideas how and where to mount the radio? I am thinking on
>> the panel (if there is room) with the antenna up far enough to give it some
>> exposure. If you have any, please email me some pics of your mounting
>> technique.
>
> With the external antenna, I have a 3.5-inch wide nylon webbing strap
> that goes around my thigh. The belt clip on the radio slides onto the
> webbing and the radio rests on my thigh. The buttons and knobs are
> easily accessible and the LCD display is readily visible.

I always found that my portable (a little Vertex) works fine with just the
rubber duckie antenna that comes with it. I have flown hundreds of hours with
it on a light lanyard around my neck.

[Danny Deger]

"Vaughn Simon" > wrote in message
...
>
> "john smith" > wrote in message
> ...
>> In article >,
>> "Danny Deger" > wrote:
>>
>>> Can anyone give me ideas how and where to mount the radio? I am
>>> thinking on
>>> the panel (if there is room) with the antenna up far enough to give it
>>> some
>>> exposure. If you have any, please email me some pics of your mounting
>>> technique.
>>
>> With the external antenna, I have a 3.5-inch wide nylon webbing strap
>> that goes around my thigh. The belt clip on the radio slides onto the
>> webbing and the radio rests on my thigh. The buttons and knobs are
>> easily accessible and the LCD display is readily visible.
>
> I always found that my portable (a little Vertex) works fine with just
> the rubber duckie antenna that comes with it. I have flown hundreds of
> hours with it on a light lanyard around my neck.
>

Do you use a hand held mic? If yes, does the handheld have a standard
aircraft type mic jack?

Do you use the speaker that is on the hand held, or do you have some type of
head phones?

Danny Deger

[Vaughn Simon]

"Danny Deger" > wrote in message
...
>
>> I always found that my portable (a little Vertex) works fine with just
>> the rubber duckie antenna that comes with it. I have flown hundreds of hours
>> with it on a light lanyard around my neck.
>>
>
> Do you use a hand held mic? If yes, does the handheld have a standard
> aircraft type mic jack?

It came with an adapter for a standard aircraft headset, but in my
particular case I have never used it. It is very handy to just lift up the
portable and talk. Doing so also orients the antenna properly.

>
> Do you use the speaker that is on the hand held, or do you have some type of
> head phones?

I use the speaker that came with it, but that probably would not work in
your Taylorcraft. (I use my handheld in a glider)

If you value your ears, you will use a regular aviation headset. That
said, if you wish to go minimum, I suppose you could try one of those general
purpose noise canceling headsets that cost around $100.00. I have a set and
they are amazing, but I have never had reason to try them in a light airplane.
Certain well-sealing earbuds may also work.

Vaughn




>
> Danny Deger
>

[john smith]

In article >,
"Danny Deger" > wrote:

> Do you use a hand held mic? If yes, does the handheld have a standard
> aircraft type mic jack?

> Do you use the speaker that is on the hand held, or do you have some type of
> head phones?

Handhelds usually come with an adaptor that will accept standard
two-plug aviation headsets. You will also need a PTT switch to plug
in-line with the mic plug if you are using a standard headset. ICOM
A2/20 series handhelds had an optional headset adaptor with a PTT that
could be set to PTT or VOX. The switchbox also had mic gain and sidetone
adjustments.

[Vaughn Simon]

"john smith" > wrote in message
...
> You will also need a PTT switch to plug
> in-line with the mic plug if you are using a standard headset.

Or just use the PTT switch on the radio if it is handy. It is good to have
a yoke or stick mounted PTT switch (especially if you fly in crowded patterns),
but on the other hand I hate extra cords. Also, don't some manufacturers make a
headset with a built-in PTT switch?

Vaughn

[Ross]

Danny Deger wrote:

> "Vaughn Simon" > wrote in message
> ...
>
>>"john smith" > wrote in message
...
>>
>>>In article >,
>>>"Danny Deger" > wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>>Can anyone give me ideas how and where to mount the radio? I am
>>>>thinking on
>>>>the panel (if there is room) with the antenna up far enough to give it
>>>>some
>>>>exposure. If you have any, please email me some pics of your mounting
>>>>technique.
>>>
>>>With the external antenna, I have a 3.5-inch wide nylon webbing strap
>>>that goes around my thigh. The belt clip on the radio slides onto the
>>>webbing and the radio rests on my thigh. The buttons and knobs are
>>>easily accessible and the LCD display is readily visible.
>>
>> I always found that my portable (a little Vertex) works fine with just
>>the rubber duckie antenna that comes with it. I have flown hundreds of
>>hours with it on a light lanyard around my neck.
>>
>
>
> Do you use a hand held mic? If yes, does the handheld have a standard
> aircraft type mic jack?
>
> Do you use the speaker that is on the hand held, or do you have some type of
> head phones?
>
> Danny Deger
>
>

I tried to use my iCom in a J3 once. Could hardly hear it. That is when
I bought the headset adapter to interface with the radio. If you have a
handheld, buy the headset adapter.

--

Regards, Ross
C-172F 180HP
KSWI