KX170B replacement options

Why not just get a real KX-170B?

I did considered that. Although I"d be giving up the digital flip/flop
I'd be getting a much more reliable radio (according from our local
avionics shop). However, they just told me that there are many KX-170B
parts that are now also getting pretty hard to find. Since MAC1700 is
no longe producing parts, it looks like MX is the only company
currently producing parts for 170B replacements. . If I could just
convince them to service my old one. Its actually quite a funky radio.
The buttonology is just different than anything else. The top of the
radio is comm and the bottom is nav. However, the top knob works big
numbers and the bottom works the decimals. There is a C/N button that
flips between com/nav for the knobs. Not what you'd expect. Also, if
you turn the nav off the display is still active. The display on the
nav turns off when you turn the comm off.

-Robert

"Robert M. Gary" wrote in message
oups.com...
Why not just get a real KX-170B?


Its actually quite a funky radio.
The buttonology is just different than anything else. The top of the
radio is comm and the bottom is nav. However, the top knob works big
numbers and the bottom works the decimals. There is a C/N button that
flips between com/nav for the knobs. Not what you'd expect. Also, if
you turn the nav off the display is still active. The display on the
nav turns off when you turn the comm off.


I'd be willing to bet one of two things. The user interface was either (a)
designed by a good engineer that wasn't a pilot or (b) an engineer two days
out of college. Nobody familiar with avionics would have made those
blunders.

Jim

I'd get an original KX-170B in good working order. Check out this site:
www.KX170B.com

This guy is retired and fixes these on the side. He states that they are
repaired to "like new" specifications so the ones he has for sale should be
also. Check the site again but I believe he wants $700 for a refurbished
radio.

I still have the original KX-170B as a #2 to my Garmin 430. Use it mostly
for ATIS and have not desired or needed any flip-flop capability.

Marco

"Robert M. Gary" wrote in message
oups.com...
Why not just get a real KX-170B?

I did considered that. Although I"d be giving up the digital flip/flop
I'd be getting a much more reliable radio (according from our local
avionics shop). However, they just told me that there are many KX-170B
parts that are now also getting pretty hard to find. Since MAC1700 is
no longe producing parts, it looks like MX is the only company
currently producing parts for 170B replacements. . If I could just
convince them to service my old one. Its actually quite a funky radio.
The buttonology is just different than anything else. The top of the
radio is comm and the bottom is nav. However, the top knob works big
numbers and the bottom works the decimals. There is a C/N button that
flips between com/nav for the knobs. Not what you'd expect. Also, if
you turn the nav off the display is still active. The display on the
nav turns off when you turn the comm off.

-Robert




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Robert M. Gary wrote:
I have an odd ball digital replacement 170B that is no longer
servicable. Since I already have the 155 and and moving map GPS, I need
a basic, inexpensive, nav/com hole filller for it as #3 radio. I really
like having it there. What type of used equipment is out there that is
a slide-in 170B replacement. Are there any of those digital MX170Bs
still around ? Anyone recommend a seller of inexpensive, used TSO
radios?

A few years ago I found that Gulf Coast Avionics' prices and policies on used
radios were resonable.

Dave

Ya know, it's interesting all the opinions, heated and otherwise, that
you read here...
Yup, I agree that the TKM knobs are not idiot proof.. It requires a
good 60 seconds of reading the manual to figger em out...
To repeat, I replaced my electromechanical radios with TKM slide ins
from Eastern Avionics... Been perfectly happy... And, even at my
advanced age I can remember from one flight to the next how to tune
em... And it cost me 10% of hanging a new set of Garmins... Happy
about that too...

denny

Get a copy of the catalog from Aircraft Spruce. They have a nice
listing of radios at very reasonable prices.

From what I can tell, Aicraft Spruce only sells new radios. That's a
bit much for a #3 comm hole filler. Just on old, used, but working
KX-170B would fit the bill.

-Robert

Call Eastern Avionics, Gulf Coast, etc... They should have trade ins...
I got some, but they go back in the plane whenever it is sold..

denny