Looking for Transciever suggestions

"Cub Driver" wrote in message
...

I use the rubber ducky antenna. These are rental planes, and neither
has an outside antenna. I seldom use delta airspace, however. And I
always behave as if I were NORDO. I am reasonably sure however that I
am always heard in the pattern, not so sure that I am heard five or
even three miles out.

In my experiment using the Icom with it's helical rubber "ducky" antenna I
contacted NY Approach 15 miles north of HPN (I was at 3000 and I believe
they are down in Long Island somewhere) then was handed off to HPN tower at
about 10 miles out and everything went smoothly. I used the Icom PTT button
and held the radio with the antenna vertical.

Jim Weir wrote:
When was the last time you did this for real?

Had to do it to pick up an IFR clearance while on the ground last year.

I am also looking for a portable, Sporty's seems to have some of the
best prices right now, especially for the Icom A23 @ $369
The Vertex 210 appears to have most of the A23's features, but is a
lot less expensive ($279). Why?

Also, with the A23, is a separate PTT necessary to use the headset
adapter? I'm not really clear how the headset adapter works with my
headset (DC H10-13.4) and the A23.

Thanks,
Tom



On 03 Jul 2004 01:46:42 GMT, (Lockrdg) wrote:

Having experienced and successfully survived my first complete electrical
failure, hence no radios (at night mind you), I am looking for suggestions as
to which hand-held transcievers I might looking into buying.

All suggestions are welcome...

Thanks in advance.

On 6 Jul 2004 23:59:54 -0500, John Smith wrote:

Also, with the A23, is a separate PTT necessary to use the headset
adapter? I'm not really clear how the headset adapter works with my
headset (DC H10-13.4) and the A23.

It was with my Yaseu (Vertex).

I think.

It's such a convenience, and I've used it for three years now, that I
really can't remember. Previously, I tried used the radio as a
handheld, which meant putting the engine to idle every time. Even then
it didn't work worth a damn.

all the best -- Dan Ford
email: (put Cubdriver in subject line)

The Warbird's Forum www.warbirdforum.com
The Piper Cub Forum www.pipercubforum.com
Viva Bush! weblog www.vivabush.org

John,

The Vertex 210 appears to have most of the A23's features, but is a
lot less expensive ($279). Why?


Because someone wants to make a business through volume, not price?

--
Thomas Borchert (EDDH)

John Smith wrote in message . ..
I am also looking for a portable, Sporty's seems to have some of the
best prices right now, especially for the Icom A23 @ $369
The Vertex 210 appears to have most of the A23's features, but is a
lot less expensive ($279). Why?

Because it's a free market and that's what they think they can get for
it.

My own experience with Yaesu is that performance leaves a lot to be
desired. I've found that a Sporty's even with a rubber ducky works
nearly as well as a panel-mount nav and Yaesu would only pick up a
VOR when it was close enough that I could hit it by throwing the
Yaesu at it. Due to the miserable nav performance, I sent the Yaesu
back to the manufacturer and had them check and adjust it. Upon its
return, I found it worked not the slightest bit better. When it finally
disappeared at an air show, I was more relieved than angry and replaced
it with an Icom A-5.


Also, with the A23, is a separate PTT necessary to use the headset
adapter? I'm not really clear how the headset adapter works with my
headset (DC H10-13.4) and the A23.


No external switch is needed. It's just a convenience to have a PTT on the
yoke.

For the occasion when all the electrons die at once, I have 2
portables.

I bought the new ICOM sport model transceiver (small size, light
weight). I keep alkaline batteries in it because they retain a charge
better than rechargeables and I need it only for emergencies. I also
have an antenna loop in my Com2 under the panel so that I can
disconnect the panel receiver and connect the Icom to the external
antenna.

For navigation I have a Garmin Pilot GPS III that can sit on the
glareshield and runs 8-10 hours on 4 AA alkalines.

(Lockrdg) wrote in message ...
Having experienced and successfully survived my first complete electrical
failure, hence no radios (at night mind you), I am looking for suggestions as
to which hand-held transcievers I might looking into buying.

All suggestions are welcome...

I bought the Vertex Standard VXA-700. It's got a rechargable LiON
battery, so the charge lasts long. It handles COM, VOR, FM broadcast,
2 meter, and in the US: weather radio. The buttons are small, but
workable and I don't have child-sized fingers. The unit's compact
too, so it's easy to carry it. Little good in having an emergency
radio if it's awkward to carry.

And, it's submersible up to 3 feet, in case you fly seaplanes. grin
Or, more likely, live in a very rainy area.

One downside is that the antenna jack and headset jack are
non-standard. Be sure to buy the headset adapter. If you have an
external antenna cable in your plane, buy the antenna jack adapter
too.

I was going to defer my radio puchase until I started instrument
training, but when the Wash DC ADIZ went into effect I went ahead and
bought it. (I fly in the ADIZ.) A little while later it paid for
itself when an intermittent connection in a rental plane failed during
my second student cross-country.

I can attest that the ducky antenna isn't as effective - Potomac
Approach couldn't hear my below around 1800 feet or so in one area
close to home. But I was able to get home with it. Never rented that
plane again. (FBO maintenance said there was nothing wrong.)

I use it routinely now to get ASOS and contact clearance, as well as
just listening to what's going on in general.

-Malcolm Teas

Last time I opened a VFR flight plan.

Jim Weir wrote in message . ..
When was the last time you did this for real?

-Except that here in the USA, it is sometimes necessary to talk to FSS on
- a comm frequency and listen on the VOR frequency.

tony roberts wrote in message news:nospam-69B6F8.23552803072004@shawnews...
BUT - go to a third party vendor and buy the AA battery back. Icom only
comes with a rechargeable battery pack - not much use if you are sitting
halfway up a mountain waiting to be rescued - but if you have the pack,
plus a decent supply of AA batteries, you now have yourself a good
emergency radio - in addition to it's everyday uses.

The rechargable is perfect for the daily J-3 Cub flyer who uses it as
his primary radio (that's the reason I bought mine) but the AA battery
pack is best for the emergency radio (why I use it now).