I currently have 3 of these I rotate to keep 2 working in the plane.
Anyone have an old but WORKING one lying around they don't need/want anymore? I know many are upgrading and have no use for older radios. Offering $500-650 for a WORKING one, preferably one with a "dark" face on it to match my other two. See photos below.
Alternatively, does anyone know where to get one repaired? I was calling around today and no one was interested in dealing with it anymore. They cite a paucity of parts, service manuals, and trained techs to work on the MX-300 radio anymore.
Thanks - and yes, I know they are $3,500- $5,000 online for a newly factory-refurbished one - simply do not have that kind of $$$ for a 20+ year-old radio that is considered obsolete by most of the aviation community.
Thanks for any offers or advice you can provide. I will certainly opt to REPAIR the ones I have if anyone knows where to send them.
Regards, Mike
Last edited by Mike Marra; 08/28/2306:52 PM. Reason: spelling error
Thanks, Hung, I will do that. Have you heard of them fixing others? I called a few places today (can't even remember if they were one of them) and got "the Heisman" from everyone!
I will call tomorrow -- deeply appreciate the vector! MM
In THIS POST , Stacey Morris said Bevan-Rabell worked on his TKM radio. I had an MX-385 (24V) radio in my former 152 and used to send it to TKM for service. Then one year they returned my radio unrepaired because they said it was out of their (sliding) window of serial numbers that they still worked on. They suggested that I send it to Bevan-Rabell. I didn't because I was about to sell my plane at that time (2017) and just put up with the problem (missing some segments on the LED number display).
In THIS POST , Stacey Morris said Bevan-Rabell worked on his TKM radio. I had an MX-385 (24V) radio in my former 152 and used to send it to TKM for service. Then one year they returned my radio unrepaired because they said it was out of their (sliding) window of serial numbers that they still worked on. They suggested that I send it to Bevan-Rabell. I didn't because I was about to sell my plane at that time (2017) and just put up with the problem (missing some segments on the LED number display).
Thanks Hung - will definitely call today and let yinz know what they say. MM
This isn't perfect, BUT, you can get new/replacement black plates to put on your brown unit (or if you just need to spruce up your existing radio) using this company. There will still be a lot of brown on the radio, but it's a subtle improvement.
This is a pic of a brown unit with the new black faceplates... again, very subtle, but it's still nice to have new clean markings on your radio if nothing else..
engravers.net
TKM MX300 Faceplate Inserts Material - Made from .020” black with white text. All are backed with double faced tape for easy peel and stick installation. Price $31.25
This isn't perfect, BUT, you can get new/replacement black plates to put on your brown unit (or if you just need to spruce up your existing radio) using this company. There will still be a lot of brown on the radio, but it's a subtle improvement.
This is a pic of a brown unit with the new black faceplates... again, very subtle, but it's still nice to have new clean markings on your radio if nothing else..
engravers.net
TKM MX300 Faceplate Inserts Material - Made from .020” black with white text. All are backed with double faced tape for easy peel and stick installation. Price $31.25
Brad, that is really good to know, and the price is actually REASONABLE for an aviation part! Anything under a $100 is now surprising to me!
Thanks so much for that information - appreciate it very much! Mike
I called just now - the good news is they CAN repair it.
The only (sort of) bad news is they have a 12-14 week backlog of older radions to repair ahead of me.
Well, that is the reason I keep THREE of these, so the rotation can work without losing the use of two radios, which is almost required around where I fly with so much traffic, special use airspace, TFRs and flying with others on a routine basis.
So, my intention is to SEND IN THE RADIO for repair soonest and keep the ones I have. It will come back "YELLOW Tagged" and will slide right in for a R+R op by the end of 2023 sometime!
THANK YOU ALL for your generous offers to sell radios, guidance toward repair shops and replacement faceplates. This club is invaluable when these types of owner operator issues come up! You folks always have the answers, and your generosity is incredible.
Regards, Mike
Last edited by Mike Marra; 08/29/2305:12 PM. Reason: spelling again!
Late to the party, but as far as I know, Ellison Avionics in Waco, TX still works on these as well, and they're darn good folks to work with. Replaced every internal component in mine for under $500 shipped back in 2018. Highly recommend them if anyone else needs theirs repaired.
States I landed in N63420 while she was mine: KDCY
"And once you have tasted flight, you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you would return." - John H. Secondari, American TV Writer, 1965
Late to the party, but as far as I know, Ellison Avionics in Waco, TX still works on these as well, and they're darn good folks to work with. Replaced every internal component in mine for under $500 shipped back in 2018. Highly recommend them if anyone else needs theirs repaired.
I will keep that in mind for next time, as I think I am going to pay around $700 for the refurb here in Wichita, Kansas. Based on '18 prices, borh repair facilities are comparable. Still, ALWAYS good to know where ELSE I can keep taking my THREE radios for refurb!
I started WATCHING a few of these on Ebay and started getting "offers for discounts" from owners who have them sitting around their garages. I would much rather buy from anyone HERE than someone in the blind on Ebay. Most of them offered had issues I am trying to rectify, like lights that don't work, bent knobs, flip-flop inop, or other issues that I do not want to just tolerate. I need my radios to be working well -- both of them. So, I do the refurbs to keep all three going and swap them when necessary to keep two good ones in N714AJ.
Thanks again, Brian - so glad we have another place to keep our ancient but effective radios going! Still a better deal to repair than buy new, IMHO, for day VMC flying! MM
So, I sent in a working, but imperfect MX-300 radio in August to BEVANS for refurbishment - needed lights, dials that all worked, flip-flop that would not stick, etc.
I've heard nothing, so called today to get an update...
They see it in "arrivals" but it will be at least three more weeks before they will touch it. That will be over four months. I guess you cannot rush perfection!
The lady on they phone said I should be lucky they are even fixing it. OK.
So, keep THREE of them with TWO working ones in the aircraft at all times - the rotations and refurbs are a lot less expensive than new and different radios. Sure, they look dated, but they are economical to keep running.
Now, we are hoping we see the repaired one in 2023!
Wow, that is brutal. I almost sent a KX155 in to Bevan in November but luckily was able to dodge sending it in completely. Kinda glad to see this in case I ever need to in the future, I'll just make sure to set aside a year to wait.
My mechanic just sent my Mx 300 to the shop, not transmitting . Supposed to take one to three weeks we shall see. Looking at options for an audio panel and second radio.
My mechanic just sent my Mx 300 to the shop, not transmitting . Supposed to take one to three weeks we shall see. Looking at options for an audio panel and second radio.
My mechanic just sent my Mx 300 to the shop, not transmitting . Supposed to take one to three weeks we shall see. Looking at options for an audio panel and second radio.
Maybe he has "pull" I don't have. I am starting to get the impression you have to know "Tom" to get your radio on the bench...
I'm disappointed.
3 weeks sounds like a good promise...I would have been ok with THREE MONTHS.
Are there alternatives? Anyone know of any?
Not sure if this is just me being "too polite" on the phone or a sincere case of just falling behind on the work....now to the point of marginal customer service.
My mechanic just sent my Mx 300 to the shop, not transmitting . Supposed to take one to three weeks we shall see. Looking at options for an audio panel and second radio.
Update on my Mx 300 the shop says it be h checks ok. They are going to do some sort of thermal test on it. In the interim I had an external antenna installed and purchased a sportys portable P2 + since I only have one comm radio.
Years ago, when I bought my 150F, the MX 300 radio was intermittent when transmitting. I sent it in and it worked good so they "baked" it. The found a cold solder joint in the transmit section. It was still working well when I sold it in July 2012.
Mike just remember, if you go with Cost Aero, he does have nice NON-TSO'd Nav/Coms. But if your are flying VFR only, one thing to think about is to replace one of the existing NAV/COMMs with a NAV radio only. Cost Aero can also have a custom harness built for you and you can save some money by having your A&P install it for you, instead of an avionics shop. Another option is a VAL 2000 COMM radio from VAL Avionics. That is what I have for my #2 radio.
Last edited by Ronald Twente; 02/10/2407:12 PM.
Ron "20"
A&P/IA
1976 Cessna 150M - N820ST St. Charles Regional Airport KSET
Fly Safe... Fly Often...
Super Bowl IV - LIV - LVII - LVIII CHAMPION Kansas City Chiefs!
The MX-300 is BACK from BEAVANS and seems to work ok! The removal of a partially working radio and the installation of the refurbished one went well yesterday.
So, 3 up and 3 down to be fair:
3 UP:
-BEAVANS repaired my MX-300, and it seems to work like new. Thank you BEAVANS. Done deal. -They were HONEST every time I called them over a 6-month period for updates. -They included a statement of work justifying the 5-shop hours they charged me. (nearly $800)
3 DOWN:
-Took 6 months for a 2–5-hour job. -Lost my packing and shipping case especially designed for my set of 3x MX-300 radios (keep 2 in the plane and one in working reserve at all times). To their credit, they rebuilt me another one after I complained about losing it - I asked them in the beginning to retain and re-use it for shipping. -They did not want my business anymore and recommended another place for my next MX-300 job. I assure you I was nothing but diplomatic, cordial and politely persistent (never rude) in the quest for my repaired radio, but apparently, this did not sit well with them, and my business is no longer welcomed there.
OK - I can take a hint and read the room - I'm moving on.
For the Club: Thanks for all the advice from start to finish on this thread! I am not sorry I went to BEAVANS - we all live and learn, and things change over time. Older radios are becoming a boutique industry and we need to be prepared for this type of service/cost in the future if we are going to use older equipment.
I will let you know how the next MX-300 job goes here shortly!
So, after being dissuaded by BEVANS to send another radio to them, I went searching. COST AERO was very nice to me, and offered to help me find a certified shop. Just did not work out.
I found ANOTHER place in Waco, Texas:
Ellison Avionics Services 4201 Lake Shore Drive Suite C Waco, Texas 76710
(254) 640-9024 EllisonAvionics@hot.rr.com
Called and talked to a Cynthia who was very nice.
DEAL: $525 flat shop rate + parts. So, we will see. Shipped it off last week.
10-12 week wait time, but they accepted it. I am good with that.
ELLISON AVIONICS SERVICES LLC 4201 LAKE SHORE DR SUITE C , WACO, TX 76710
Transaction # 10191745-1003 Date 03/25/2024 2:20 PM Result Approved Auth Code 025851 Transaction Method Keyed Transaction Type Sale Cardholder Name Michael A Marra Card XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-5683 Card Type Visa Reference Number A2024061 1 Ă— Quick Item $642.00 Subtotal $642.00 Total $642.00 method Key Entered mid XXXXXXXX5706 tid 001
I just had a MX-300 completely rebuilt - this was the damage!
I consider myself LUCKY to get it done at this price and only 3-4 months wait!
I keep THREE of them and two are operational in the aircraft at all times, with the extra always either ready to go for a replacement, or being repaired.
I tell you this so you can perhaps BUY one that is not working and send it in for refurbishment - bottom line: it is worth it to do so as another option.
Newer radios are fantastic with all the glass panels and gizmos, but these older radios are perfectly capable of VFR and IFR flight!
My panel upgrade begins next week and if all goes to plan I will have my MX 300 up for sale shortly. Unit is in very good condition and works flawlessly. Tan faceplate. Will post more details and pics in the next couple of weeks.
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