My thought is a new audio panel with the intercom built in, and
removing the old audio panel and intercom. I know there is some
rewiring involved but don't know enough about it to appreciate what the
extent of that would be? I would also like to have something installed
that would be compatible with panel that would be a farily ideal
end-state panel, after upgrades over the next few years.

Is it reasonable to do what I am looking to do, in the $1500-$2000
range, or am I dreaming? (Just the audio panel/intercom upgrade, fully
installed)

The one kicker for me is the budget. I'll probably have to go the
upgrade vs. fix route and nibble away at it a little at a time, rather
than drop it off for a major panel upgrade. I just want to make sure
I'm nibbling toward an end goal, and not just hodgepodging a panel
together, entirely out of budgetary constraints.


Thanks in advance for any recommendations!
Todd

Hi Todd,

The cost of install at a shop will likely be about equal to or a bit
more than the cost of an audio panel/intercom. If you are trying to be
cost conscious, look at install costs as well as the cost of the
hardware. One thing to consider is that if you buy equipment used or
from a discount seller, then take it in to a shop to install, the shop
may not be too anxious to do the work.

On the other hand, you may be able to do some of the work yourself, as
long as it is supervised and approved by an IA. The simplest upgrade
to your current panel might be to get a KMA20 or KMA24 from ebay and
use it to replace your ARC unit. You have no guarantee on condition or
serviceability of the unit. An IA would have to fill out a form 337
and submit it to OK City. This will list the airworthiness approval
for the parts as well as installation methods - FAA AC 43-13. The
equipment list and W&B need will be updated to reflect the change. I
have done this in the past and it has worked out. However, I've worked
in the aviation industry for over 25 years, have some applicable
experience, and a good relationship with a local IA. We did everything
by the book and the FAA approved the changes. Once you see the paper
trail and detail work that is needed for such a job, you'll understand
the cost drivers that go into equipment installation.

If you are like most folks, you will need to have a shop do the
installation. It would be good to find out ahead of time whether they
expect to sell and install, or if they are willing to install customer
furnished equipment.

Since you already have an intercom and audio panel, you don't have to
tear out the interior to run wires to mic/phone jacks, provided you
already have them at all stations. The wiring that goes to the new
audio/intercom is already behind the panel, and just needs to be
terminated on the new connector. As I recall, the ARC audio panels are
taller than current solid state units, so a tray replacement would
either involve sliding other radios up, or a spacer of some type.

As far as equipment goes, I can highly recommend the audio panels and
intercoms from PS Engineering. I installed one of their intercoms in a
plane I owned and liked it. I have one of their intercoms in my
current plane, although I have a KMA 24 audio panel that was in the
plane when I bought it. If I were buying a new audio panel, intercom
or combo unit for my plane, PS Engineering would be my choice, based on
my personal experience. There are others that make good equipment.

If you just want a new replacement for your existing audio panel and
intercom, they have some combination units that would work well, such
as the PM6000. If you want to upgrade and pinch pennies, you might do
as well by replacing the ARC audio panel with another audio panel, say
a used KMA 24. Units on ebay run from $300-$600, and some come with a
yellow tag, which would be needed on the form 337 entry to prove
airworthiness. You could replace the old intercom with a new unit from
PS Engineering or Sigtronics, probably around $400 new.

Good luck,
Brian