Which radio(s) to buy?

[Chubby_cubby]

Need advice…

I’m the new owner of a PA-14 experimental. It was built, flown for 50 hours or so then parked (the owner/builder died). It was his 3rd plane to build, he built it to fly to Alaska (from Texas)…

The plane came with 2 Narco 120’s sitting in a box… neither seem to be any good.

I am inclined to older radios vs something new off the shelf (but that may be stupid..)

I have room in my panel for two radios…

Thoughts about what I should look for?

 

[skywagon8a]

Did you ask yourself "What do I "need" a radio for?" Do you "need" a radio for communications? Do you "need" a radio for navigation? What type of navigation? Do I "need" a transponder? Do I "need" ADSB? Etc. OR do you just "want" a radio to have and to look at?

My plane flew for 12 years with only a GPS navigation radio. Recently after friends wanting to go places with me, I was prompted to install a com radio, an old EDO-air RT663A which was gathering dust on a shelf. When I called my friends to go for a flight.....he was busy. I might as well save 5 pounds and take out the radio.

 

[sj]

Also depends on airspace you are around, is it busy enough that being able to monitor another channel is useful?

I think the Garmin SL40 (formerly Apollo, formerly UPS Aviation, formerly Morrow) is a hard to beat radio if you JUST need comm. It has a built in intercom, ability to monitor, works great, and will save your favorite frequencies. https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/6440

They make a newer model of this radio - not sure what it is called.

A lot of folks here like Trig radios. They work great, but I find the little screens and buttons harder than the above.

sj

 

[bob turner]

I flew my Cub for seven years without a radio. One can no longer operate in Southern Calif without at least com.

First, Edo Aire. Ok radio. Then SL-40 plus a PM501 intercom. Quite satisfactory, but horrible memory design. Best receiver.

Now it is the Garmin GTR-200. Perfect memory setup, good display, world’s best intercom, but not the greatest receiver - doesn’t have quite enough RF squelch to eliminate local noise.

All the Cubs plus my Decathlon and two Stearmans have them. We could operate open mic in the 450 Stearman at 2300 rpm and 37 1/2”.

Sadly they stopped making them. I just got a spare from Steinair (he still has a few). It will be a while before a better com is available.

I should mention - dirt-easy to install. You need four shielded pair (two mic, two headset) two push-to-talk wires, power, ground, and of course a BNC ended antenna wire. Takes me an easy two hours while watching the news.

 

[DENNY]

Like the others have noted. Want, need, and priority are different for every pilot. I need a radio with monitor capability because a fair amount of my flying is with other planes and being able to BS and monitor local freq is important. I need one that works great, no static or buttons that fall off. I can pull a radio of a tray and send it in for service but my priority is to make sure I have one that works from February -October without any problems! If you are doing your own work and have the time used stuff could be fine some of it seems to work forever. I put a new ICOM 220 in mine about 11 years ago and have had the LED screen go bad twice. 3 week turn around time at a fair price, but used my friends as backup. Works but is acting up again so this winter I am going with a new Garmin not cheap but they work and should hold until the end of my flying. In todays world finding parts and people to fix old stuff can be a problem.
DENNY

 

[Farmboy]

I put a Garmin GTR 200 in my first cub before I knew how good it was. Missed having it in my second cub but putting one in my build. It's now the GTR205x. Like others I use the monitor feature all the time. Built in auto squelch intercom works great. Great single com unit.

 

[AKjurnees]

I have a ATR-500 com with built in intercom. Fits in a small instrument hole. Never seen one before but it works good. Small and compact.

 

[rv6ator]

What's your budget?

 

[AZinAK]

I put a Garmin GTR 200 in my first cub before I knew how good it was. Missed having it in my second cub but putting one in my build. It's now the GTR205x. Like others I use the monitor feature all the time. Built in auto squelch intercom works great. Great single com unit.

Is the Garmin GTR 200 a direct replacement fitment wise, for the BendixKing KY 97A?

 

[aktango58]

The Icom was a direct slide-in for the 97A.

Just bring that bird up here to Alaska where a radio is not required. We can keep it exercised for you!

One lesson I have learned: it takes about the same effort ($) to install a REALLY GOOD radio as to install a piece of junk. When done correctly it will be there for years with no problems.

SJ: about that SL 40, is there something about installing jacks where they won't touch anything I should be aware of?

 

[Farmboy]

The new GTR205x should be the same slimline size for that. The 200 was taller.

Edit - Correction - GTR200 is same height as GTR205x

 

[Farmboy]

Vans always has something for sale - https://vansairforce.net/threads/garmin-sl40-ps-engineering-1000-ii-intercom-for-sale.229581/

Referencing the earlier question, the GTX205x is 1.3" tall, which is the slimline height. But, seems I was confused as the GTR200 is the same height.
pb

 

[amoxness]

I replaced an Icom A200 with the GTR200. I would highly recommend the radio. Like Denny, I valued a monitor function as I fly in a group often so I want to hear CTAF and our BS. The installation was relatively easy. Once I installed it, I found the user-saved frequency feature quite easy and quick.

With the monitor function, I don't see the need for multiple radios for VFR cub flying, which lets you eliminate the audio panel if you have one.

 

[RCPackard]

GTR200 here also. Incredible radio and intercom. Able to fly with door/window open in back seat with Bose headset and it doesn't miss a beat. Previous Becker had serious issues with wind noise.

 

[jk]

Also depends on airspace you are around, is it busy enough that being able to monitor another channel is useful?

I think the Garmin SL40 (formerly Apollo, formerly UPS Aviation, formerly Morrow) is a hard to beat radio if you JUST need comm. It has a built in intercom, ability to monitor, works great, and will save your favorite frequencies. https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/6440

They make a newer model of this radio - not sure what it is called.

A lot of folks here like Trig radios. They work great, but I find the little screens and buttons harder than the above.

sj

The radio you mentioned is called GTR 205, radio only or 215 if you need or want nav. I had the SL40 for around 28 years. I installed the 205 that I bought on special at Sun & Fun. It’s a great upgrade and has intercom as well as many other features.

 

[drew.taylor]

I would put in one radio with a monitor function like others mention. Unless you are doing a lot of IFR and to me it’s nice to have two radios in that case. I have the Garmin GNC 255b which has monitor, intercom, is compact, has nav functionality and Bluetooth - and I think it is plenty for what I do.

 

[Oliver]

Garmin GTR 200 is discontinued,
Still a few around on shelves if you hurry
Great exp radio.
Replacement is probably equally as good but $1000 more

 

[Farmboy]

Garmin GTR 200 is discontinued,
Still a few around on shelves if you hurry
Great exp radio.
Replacement is probably equally as good but $1000 more

That is incorrect. Aside from new model pricing the sale price is essentially the same. $2195 is retail price for the GTR205x std kit. This unit, like the 200, comes with connector kit included.

The Unit only is $1995.

Spruce and others usually have a MAP type of pricing in them. Or, if you know a guy…

 

[bob turner]

In August I bought a GTR-200 with tray and connectors for $1400. The Avionics shop down the block said the could not buy a 200, so installed the 205, and could not get the intercom to work.

This is rumor, since they told me and I am telling you, but they said Garmin had intercom problems in the 205, and blocked it. A little hard to believe, but that is what they said.

Sometimes, “improvements” go the wrong way.

 

[Farmboy]

In August I bought a GTR-200 with tray and connectors for $1400. The Avionics shop down the block said the could not buy a 200, so installed the 205, and could not get the intercom to work.

This is rumor, since they told me and I am telling you, but they said Garmin had intercom problems in the 205, and blocked it. A little hard to believe, but that is what they said.

Sometimes, “improvements” go the wrong way.

Bob, that would be a great price on a 200.

Regarding the 205, here is Garmin’s response to this info.
“There are no known issues with the GTR 205x intercom. Is this a GTR 205 or a GTR 205x? The two place intercom is currently only available with the GTR 205x.”

(The 205x is the experimental version)

Peter

 

[bob turner]

I get a $35 discount. Stein is easy to work with.

That tracks on the 205. The shop will not install “experimental” radios. They were perplexed when they could not get the intercom to work.

I will be interested to learn if they fixed the RF squelch problem for the 205/205x.

 

[jk]

I get a $35 discount. Stein is easy to work with.

That tracks on the 205. The shop will not install “experimental” radios. They were perplexed when they could not get the intercom to work.

I will be interested to learn if they fixed the RF squelch problem for the 205/205x.

Hey Bob, Can you elaborate on your RF squelch problem? I’ve been flying my GTR205 over 100 hrs now and not had one issue. Only issue I’ve had is downloading an update while in Canada. The computer I was at wouldn’t let me download flygarmin.
Thanks.
Oh and the intercom will be available for certified GTR 205/215 via enablement in October, is what I was told by Garmin.

 

[bob turner]

We have a noisy environment. Approach control has two frequencies, the difference of which is really close to our tower frequency. When both controllers key the mic, our receivers pick it up. When one controller is running both (not unusual when UHF traffic is light) we get the clearances, loud and clear. Fortunately, we are smart enough to know what clearances are coming from approach, and which from the tower.

The SL-40 had a better RF squelch circuit - we rarely got interference on that receiver. Horrible memory circuits, and useless intercom. I was delighted to get rid of that one, even though the radio itself was superior.

 

[Tennessee]

Lower cost - not sure. Mid cost - a used Garmin 430. It's a standard and lots of pilots swear by it. Rock solid..
I have one in my Cub and one in my Maule.

 

[old school aircraft]

I have a Garmin GTR 200. Really nice and priced right. Being able to listen to the standby frequency is a plus.