Best replacement for old Cessna navcom?

Because a topic like this never gets too old

1979 172 with original Cessna (RT-385 IIRC?) radios, the NAV frq display on
the #1 box failed and the partners now finally agree it's not worth
repairing.

I'm contemplating two options:

1. Replace with a slide-in replacement like the TKM series, which will get
me a new box and standby freqs (woo-hoo!) Anybody here have those, or
suggest others? Advantage here is v. low cost to install versus something
like a KX-155 upgrade which would require rewiring, etc.

2. Replace with an IFR GPS/Com. This addresses ADF/DME, but costs us one
VOR. I don't think people will go for buying a second nav/com as well so it
needs to be a one-box upgrade.

Current stack has 2x Nav/Com, 1x ADF, 1x Mode C, Audio panel w/ marker
beacon, and an M1 Loran, all original equipment. The audio panel's getting
fussy and the ADF won't lock on to the lower-powered beacons until you're on
top of them. If it was up to me I'd yank it all but I've got 4 other guys
who fly less and almost never fly IFR so they're less picky.

Best,
-cwk.

Colin Kingsbury wrote:


2. Replace with an IFR GPS/Com. This addresses ADF/DME, but costs us one
VOR. I don't think people will go for buying a second nav/com as well so it
needs to be a one-box upgrade.

This is the route to go. If you have a GPS/COMM you don't need a second
VOR. Then you can ditch the ADF and Loran and also have a DME
substitute. And your plane will be lighter.

"Newps" wrote in message
news:a2Rpb.77076$275.206308@attbi_s53...
Colin Kingsbury wrote:
2. Replace with an IFR GPS/Com. This addresses ADF/DME, but costs us one
VOR. I don't think people will go for buying a second nav/com as well so
it
needs to be a one-box upgrade.

This is the route to go. If you have a GPS/COMM you don't need a second
VOR. Then you can ditch the ADF and Loran and also have a DME
substitute. And your plane will be lighter.

But is that DME substitute legal for approaches/departures marked "DME
Required"? What about if the GPS system is having a bad hair day?

Tom
--
"We have clearance, Clarence!"

Tom S. wrote:


But is that DME substitute legal for approaches/departures marked "DME
Required"?

Yes.

What about if the GPS system is having a bad hair day?

What if the VOR is out of service?

How do you feel about having only one ILS (remember it's a nice toasty old
one at that... No known problems but more likely to fail than a nice new
box)

Best,
-cwk.

"Newps" wrote in message
news:xV_pb.81587$ao4.245079@attbi_s51...


Tom S. wrote:


But is that DME substitute legal for approaches/departures marked "DME
Required"?

Yes.

What about if the GPS system is having a bad hair day?

What if the VOR is out of service?

Colin Kingsbury wrote:

How do you feel about having only one ILS (remember it's a nice toasty old
one at that... No known problems but more likely to fail than a nice new
box)

The vast majority of GA planes only have one ILS now.

"Newps" wrote in message
news:xV_pb.81587$ao4.245079@attbi_s51...


Tom S. wrote:


But is that DME substitute legal for approaches/departures marked "DME
Required"?

Yes.

What about if the GPS system is having a bad hair day?

What if the VOR is out of service?

Kinda hard to require a DME, then, wouldn't ya think?

If you have a GPS/COMM you don't need a second
VOR. Then you can ditch the ADF and Loran and also have a DME
substitute. And your plane will be lighter.

And so will be your bank account.
Smiling Jack

Hankal wrote:

If you have a GPS/COMM you don't need a second
VOR. Then you can ditch the ADF and Loran and also have a DME
substitute. And your plane will be lighter.


And so will be your bank account.

Not that much. You'll be able to unload the ADF and Loran to people
stuck in the 70's on ebay without much problem.

In article wW_pb.79471$275.229001@attbi_s53, Newps
writes:

Not that much. You'll be able to unload the ADF and Loran to people
stuck in the 70's on ebay without much problem.


My shop at G Force (KCAK) gave me a good trade in and saved me the trouble of
selling them.

Chuck