What Radio Should I Pick????

[Charles Talleyrand]

I have a KX-170 that's *sometimes* just not working right in my VFR
Cessna 150.
For the same price (about $1,300) I could get either

A McCoy MAC-1700 as a slide in replacement for the 170b
-or-
An Icom 200 as an additional radio (with the flaky KX170b as backup).

Any recommendations?

-Charles Talleyrand

P.S. I did look into www.kx170.com. But he does not give yellow tags
with his repair and chooses not to be certified, so I don't think I
can go that way.

[Stealth Pilot[_2_]]

On Thu, 29 May 2008 22:45:53 -0700 (PDT), Charles Talleyrand
> wrote:

>I have a KX-170 that's *sometimes* just not working right in my VFR
>Cessna 150.
>For the same price (about $1,300) I could get either
>
>A McCoy MAC-1700 as a slide in replacement for the 170b
> -or-
>An Icom 200 as an additional radio (with the flaky KX170b as backup).
>
>Any recommendations?
>
>-Charles Talleyrand
>
>P.S. I did look into www.kx170.com. But he does not give yellow tags
>with his repair and chooses not to be certified, so I don't think I
>can go that way.

The Icom A200 would be the gold standard in radios.
beautiful little things.
I rely on one all the time.
Stealth Pilot

[Gig 601Xl Builder]

Charles Talleyrand wrote:
> I have a KX-170 that's *sometimes* just not working right in my VFR
> Cessna 150.
> For the same price (about $1,300) I could get either
>
> A McCoy MAC-1700 as a slide in replacement for the 170b
> -or-
> An Icom 200 as an additional radio (with the flaky KX170b as backup).
>
> Any recommendations?
>
> -Charles Talleyrand
>
> P.S. I did look into www.kx170.com. But he does not give yellow tags
> with his repair and chooses not to be certified, so I don't think I
> can go that way.

I don't know a thing about the McCoy but I've been studying up on the
Icom line as I make the decision as to what I will put into my plane.

At first I was 100% decided on the Garmin SL40 mainly because of it's
ability to monitor the standby freq. That was until the A210 came out.
In a side by side comparison of the SL40 and the A210 the A210 whips the
SL40 in almost every way and cost about $300 less.

[Jay Honeck[_2_]]

> For the same price (about $1,300) I could get either
>
> A McCoy MAC-1700 as a slide in replacement for the 170b
> -or-
> An Icom 200 as an additional radio (with the flaky KX170b as backup).
>
> Any recommendations?

Third option: MX-170B. We've used this radio in two planes, and love it.
It's a "slide-out/slide-in" affair. No muss, no fuss. (Assuming your
wiring isn't the issue!)

Here's one for $1295: http://www.bennettavionics.com/mx170b.html
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[Jay Maynard]

On 2008-05-30, Charles Talleyrand > wrote:
> A McCoy MAC-1700 as a slide in replacement for the 170b
> -or-
> An Icom 200 as an additional radio (with the flaky KX170b as backup).

I own a bunch of Icom ham radios. (Eight, to be precise.) I also have an
IC-A24. Icom makes fine gear that's never given me a moment of trouble, and
I wouldn't hesitate to get one. (The only reason N55ZC has an SL40 instead
of an IC-A210 as COM2 is because the rest of the stack is Garmin, and I
wanted a sole source solution.)

OTOH, have you considered installation costs? The MAC-1700 (or the MX-170B)
will cost you less to install, just because they *are* slide-in
replacements; the IC-A200 will require some rewiring and a new tray. That
may tip the balance.
--
Jay Maynard, K5ZC http://www.conmicro.com
http://jmaynard.livejournal.com http://www.tronguy.net
Fairmont, MN (FRM) (Yes, that's me!)
AMD Zodiac CH601XLi N55ZC (ordered 17 March, delivery 10 June)

[Robert M. Gary]

On May 30, 6:45*am, "Jay Honeck" > wrote:
> > For the same price (about $1,300) I could get either
>
> > A McCoy MAC-1700 as a slide in replacement for the 170b
> > *-or-
> > An Icom 200 as an additional radio (with the flaky KX170b as backup).
>
> > Any recommendations?
>
> Third option: MX-170B. * We've used this radio in two planes, and love it.

[Charles Talleyrand]

On May 30, 9:56 am, Jay Maynard >
wrote:
> On 2008-05-30, Charles Talleyrand > wrote:
>
> > A McCoy MAC-1700 as a slide in replacement for the 170b
> > -or-
> > An Icom 200 as an additional radio (with the flaky KX170b as backup).

> OTOH, have you considered installation costs? The MAC-1700 (or the MX-170B)
> will cost you less to install, just because they *are* slide-in
> replacements; the IC-A200 will require some rewiring and a new tray. That
> may tip the balance.

I have considered this. The Icom price includes installation.

-Charles Talleyrand

[Jay Maynard]

On 2008-05-30, Charles Talleyrand > wrote:
> I have considered this. The Icom price includes installation.

If that's an installed price, grab it. You'll be very pleased.
--
Jay Maynard, K5ZC http://www.conmicro.com
http://jmaynard.livejournal.com http://www.tronguy.net
Fairmont, MN (FRM) (Yes, that's me!)
AMD Zodiac CH601XLi N55ZC (ordered 17 March, delivery 10 June)

[Ronnie]

Charles,

I have a pair of KX-170Bs in my 172. When I had an issue with
the NAV receiver in one of the units, I just bought a used KX-175B
via EBay for about $300 and slid it in. Problem solved. No wiring
or mounting changes required. With all the upgrades to Garmins, it
is easy to find good working KX-170B or KX-175B radios for not
a lot of money. You can find a working replacement for less than the
shop cost to troubleshoot and repair one.

Before you take that route, make sure the problem is in the radio
and not in the installation. I once had a Escort 110 which some-
times works and sometimes didn't. I initially thought the problem
was the radio, but it turned out to be a broken connection in the
antenna balun. Find a known good KX-170B loaner that you can
side into your panel and check the installtion.

I also have an ICOM A200 in my Aztec. The only issue I've ever had
was the need to have the LCD replaced recently. The A200 has given
good service except for one, very strange phenomenon which has cropped
up within the last year. Austin approach changed their east side frequency
from 118.8 to 127.22 a while back. Ever since, I've been unable to make
them hear me when using the Icom. I can hear them fine on the Icom, but
they can't hear me. The KX-155 in the same panel works in both transmit
and receive. When I sent the Icom in for the LCD replacement, the work
order indicated it was slightly off frequency and had been adjusted. I
thought
that would explaing the issue and fix it. It did not. I still have that
problem.
The Icom works fine everywhere else, but not east of KGTU trying to talk to
AUS on 127.22. I'm not saying it is the radio itself, but an odd
combination of
antenna placement and direction of travel and maybe a slight frequency
offset.



"Charles Talleyrand" > wrote in message
...
>I have a KX-170 that's *sometimes* just not working right in my VFR
> Cessna 150.
> For the same price (about $1,300) I could get either
>
> A McCoy MAC-1700 as a slide in replacement for the 170b
> -or-
> An Icom 200 as an additional radio (with the flaky KX170b as backup).
>
> Any recommendations?
>
> -Charles Talleyrand
>
> P.S. I did look into www.kx170.com. But he does not give yellow tags
> with his repair and chooses not to be certified, so I don't think I
> can go that way.

[Jim Stewart]

Charles Talleyrand wrote:
> I have a KX-170 that's *sometimes* just not working right in my VFR
> Cessna 150.
> For the same price (about $1,300) I could get either
>
> A McCoy MAC-1700 as a slide in replacement for the 170b
> -or-
> An Icom 200 as an additional radio (with the flaky KX170b as backup).

You can get an A210 for $1100 at Pacific Coast Avionics.
I have one and I love it. 2 channel receive, one button
121.5, built in 2 place intercom and an absolutely wonderful
big bright display.


> Any recommendations?
>
> -Charles Talleyrand
>
> P.S. I did look into www.kx170.com. But he does not give yellow tags
> with his repair and chooses not to be certified, so I don't think I
> can go that way.

[[email protected]]

On May 30, 11:59*am, "Robert M. Gary" > wrote:
> On May 30, 6:45*am, "Jay Honeck" > wrote:
>
> > > For the same price (about $1,300) I could get either
>
> > > A McCoy MAC-1700 as a slide in replacement for the 170b
> > > *-or-
> > > An Icom 200 as an additional radio (with the flaky KX170b as backup).
>
> > > Any recommendations?
>
> > Third option: MX-170B. * We've used this radio in two planes, and love it.
> > It's a "slide-out/slide-in" affair. *No muss, no fuss. *(Assuming your
> > wiring isn't the issue!)
>
> I agree. I replaced my backup radio with an MX-170B and love it.
> HOWEVER, most B's are no longer supported. If you call for support
> they will just offer you the C. I'm ****ed off that they will not
> support the B radio anymore but I do enjoy the product.
>
> -Robert

Robert, contact Tom at Bevan Rabell (Google it) he still works on
"all" the MX series radio. There is no difference in a MX170B and C.
The straight MX170 (as you know) is a different animal.

[Dave[_5_]]

On May 30, 1:45*am, Charles Talleyrand > wrote:
> I have a KX-170 that's *sometimes* just not working right in my VFR
> Cessna 150.
> For the same price (about $1,300) I could get either
>
> A McCoy MAC-1700 as a slide in replacement for the 170b
> * -or-
> An Icom 200 as an additional radio (with the flaky KX170b as backup).
>
> Any recommendations?
>
> -Charles Talleyrand
>
> P.S. *I did look intowww.kx170.com. *But he does not give yellow tags
> with his repair and chooses not to be certified, so I don't think I
> can go that way.

There is a guy who advertises a flat-rate exchange for KX170s on eBay
for $199. He has a current listing - check it out (he is user
stainless004). I don't think he is the same as www.kx170.com, but
can't be sure (the link didn't work for me).

Like others have said, make sure you don't have a contact problem with
the mounting tray first. I would take the radio out and spray it's
connector and the receptacle in the tray with contact cleaner as a
first step (been there, done that).

Dave

[Denny]

The TKM MX-170B slide in replacement for KX-170 is hands down the
winner... I've got a pair and and they work like gangbusters...

denny

[Dave S]

Charles Talleyrand wrote:
> I have a KX-170 that's *sometimes* just not working right in my VFR
> Cessna 150.
> For the same price (about $1,300) I could get either
>
> A McCoy MAC-1700 as a slide in replacement for the 170b
> -or-
> An Icom 200 as an additional radio (with the flaky KX170b as backup).
>
> Any recommendations?
>
> -Charles Talleyrand
>
> P.S. I did look into www.kx170.com. But he does not give yellow tags
> with his repair and chooses not to be certified, so I don't think I
> can go that way.

Email me privately... ignore the spam blocker - I will get it within 24
hours anyways.

I've got a 170 sitting in the hangar thats unused and will remain
unused, and was going back on Ebay when i got around to it.

I've xmitted with it once with a bench and temp antenna.

I got it for less than 400, will let it go for same (I will get the
exact price). If you want it.

Also have a KY 196 sitting in there (essentially a flip flop 170 com
only <no nav> - uses the same harness/rack.

Are you ABSOLUTELY sure the problem is the radio, and not a loose wire
in the harness/rack? A slide in replacement will function intermittently
if the problem is the rack and not the box.

Dave
KEFD
Houston area, Texas

[Dave S]

Dave S wrote:
> Charles Talleyrand wrote:
>> I have a KX-170 that's *sometimes* just not working right in my VFR
>> Cessna 150.
>> For the same price (about $1,300) I could get either
>>
>> A McCoy MAC-1700 as a slide in replacement for the 170b
>> -or-
>> An Icom 200 as an additional radio (with the flaky KX170b as backup).
>>
>> Any recommendations?
>>
>> -Charles Talleyrand
>>
>> P.S. I did look into www.kx170.com. But he does not give yellow tags
>> with his repair and chooses not to be certified, so I don't think I
>> can go that way.
>
> Email me privately... ignore the spam blocker - I will get it within 24
> hours anyways.
>
> I've got a 170 sitting in the hangar thats unused and will remain
> unused, and was going back on Ebay when i got around to it.
>
> I've xmitted with it once with a bench and temp antenna.
>
> I got it for less than 400, will let it go for same (I will get the
> exact price). If you want it.
>
> Also have a KY 196 sitting in there (essentially a flip flop 170 com
> only <no nav> - uses the same harness/rack.
>
> Are you ABSOLUTELY sure the problem is the radio, and not a loose wire
> in the harness/rack? A slide in replacement will function intermittently
> if the problem is the rack and not the box.
>
> Dave
> KEFD
> Houston area, Texas

I was mistaken...

the radios are..
King KX 175B Nav/Com 14V US $460.00
King KY 195B Dual Com TSO 14V US $255.00

Those were my costs on ebay several years ago before shipping. Will part
with for same price plus shipping of your choice. Stale yellow tags on
both. Have transmitted and rec'd with both (com only, havent checked
nav) on a bench with a mag mount antenna.

Sorry for the inaccuracy above in the original post. If you need a
guarantee, I can perhaps ask Jay, 601, Robert Gary or one of the other
long time regulars here to be an intermediary and hold a check until you
know it works for you.

Of course, this is simply replacing your old box with another old box,
rather than upgrading.

If you are upgrading, all I can say is the Icom is not a bad deal at
all... I'm not disappointed with their Ham gear at all, and havent heard
anything bad about their aviation gear.

Dave

[RST Engineering]

That has got to be the most foolish reason I've ever heard for not getting a
radio repaired. If you want a new radio, just say you want a new radio.
The only thing a yellow tag is good for is a rather small and ineffective
fire starter.

Jim

--
"It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought
without accepting it."
--Aristotle


>
> P.S. I did look into www.kx170.com. But he does not give yellow tags
> with his repair and chooses not to be certified, so I don't think I
> can go that way.

[Howard]

Perhaps

But what are the regulatory/legal implications of say flying IFR with a
"repaired" but not yellow tagged Nav/Com?

Howard

"RST Engineering" > wrote in message
...
> That has got to be the most foolish reason I've ever heard for not getting
> a radio repaired. If you want a new radio, just say you want a new radio.
> The only thing a yellow tag is good for is a rather small and ineffective
> fire starter.
>
> Jim
>
> --
> "It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought
> without accepting it."
> --Aristotle
>
>
>>
>> P.S. I did look into www.kx170.com. But he does not give yellow tags
>> with his repair and chooses not to be certified, so I don't think I
>> can go that way.
>
>

[RST Engineering]

None whatsoever.

Jim

--
"It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought
without accepting it."
--Aristotle


"Howard" > wrote in message
...
> Perhaps
>
> But what are the regulatory/legal implications of say flying IFR with a
> "repaired" but not yellow tagged Nav/Com?
>
> Howard

[Newps]

Howard wrote:
> Perhaps
>
> But what are the regulatory/legal implications of say flying IFR with a
> "repaired" but not yellow tagged Nav/Com?

The installing mechanic is always the one who determines whether a radio
is airworthy or not. Always. A yellow tag literally means nothing.