On Aug 15, 5:40*pm, GK wrote:
On Aug 15, 8:18*pm, Dixie Sierra wrote:



I've decided to give up on my Avionic Dittel and buy new. It's been a
good radio and has given many years of service, but I'd like some new
functionality.

Functionality is really at the heart of my dilemna. I've kind of
narrowed things down to Becker vs Microair (I've ruled out Walter
Dittel on price... everyone has a limit independent of reason). There
seems to be a broad consensus that the Becker is a more reliable
choice. However, the Microair seems to offer a number of superior
features.

1) Remote operation from a stick mounted toggle.
2) Dual scan beteween the active and standby freqs with the ability to
transmit on the active. (Becker also offers a scan option but it seems
to be cover far more freqs and the freqs covered can only be changed
by turning the radio off and on at least twice. Dual scan seems very
nice when flying XC in the vicinity of an active airport.)
3 Alpha descriptions of saved freqs.
4) Variable squelch (Becker has this, but not without turning the
radio off and on at least twice to make changes.)

So here I am... The Microair costs less and has "better" features. But
who cares if it doesn't work?

What to do? What to do?.. I think I'll fly with the handheld!

What am I missing? I'm sure there are many cosniderations that escape
me.

Doug

*- Statistically speaking I know *of THREE cases of Micro air radio
having problems with transmitting once the radio gets warm - usually
an hour into flight. The two Becker’s (one being mine) on the other
hand seem to work flawlessly.
So, save yourself the arse pain, spend little more and have a product
that has a solid dependability record; it’s not like you buy one every
year. Besides there is nothing more frustrating than your equipment
not operative on that good day.
Good luck.

GK

Kind of comparing a Mercedes and a Lada. IMNSHO

Feature shopping is not where I'd start. Reputation. Reliability.
Service support. What else is used locally?

I suffered with an early Microair radio while training. Display would
go to garbage (Chinese like characters) and it would have other
problems when it got hot. I believe that some problems have been
addressed but that was such a substandard experience, and I've seen
others Microairs with the same problems. Personally I'd not touch
them. By comparisons I've owned two Becker radios and two Becker
transponders and used more in club ships with no problems. Also
excellent fast turn around on Becker repairs with a Becker USA service
center (one of the transponders had its fuse blown by an external
error - not Becker's problems). I flew last weekend in a Duo Discus
with a Microair transponder and its slightly funky user interface and
hard to read display had me wanting my Becker transponder....

it is claimed that the Beckers also run better at lower voltage but
I've not tested this myself.

Darryl