On Feb 23, 11:01*pm, Jim Meade wrote:
Looking for opinions on a portable, handheld aviation radio for ground
support operations. *No special features needed beyond the basic
transciever functions, as far as I know.
If there is a handheld that would be suitable for use in the glider
using an established external antenna, please comment on it, too.
Also, what accessories would be most useful in the glider? *Boom mike
or headset? *This will be for a tandem that is used for glider
training as well as pleasure.

Whatever you get Jim, plan to have it secure in the glider. A loose
handheld in a glider is a common thing and a bad thing and not very
useful either. We like to make radio calls on the approach in a
glider and that "spare" hand should be on the airbrake lever.

It's easy to add a PTT and a boom mic. I use the tiny little
plantronics boom mic that clips to your glasses and a radio shack
momentary switch in the stick grip. Those plantronics have superior
sound quality and no matter where your head is the mic is right where
you need it. You don't need the little ear tube; the radio speaker
should be loud enough in most gliders. For a tandem trainer gooseneck
boom mics are really the way to go. Both seats should be equipped with
PTT and mics for training. It's fun figuring out the wiring for 2 PTT
switches. Kind of like the good old 3 way light switch. I did it
once but don't ask me to do it again!

MM