Club Homepage Forums Classified Ads Buy & Sell - Everything But Airplanes Still looking for 150

Thanks to those who responded to my query about a missing log. I continue to shop for a 150. However, I am having a difficult time assessing the quality and value of the various comm./nav radios and transponders in the 150s advertised for sale.

Would forum members assist by listing by manufacturer & model numbers the three or four comm/nav sets most frequently found in Cessna 150s, and rank them from most desirable to least desirable?

This list would be a great help to someone who has been out of flying as long as I have.

Many thanks.

Don

I'm afraid I'm gonna give you a biased opinion on King avionics, there pretty much all I've ever flown behind. I had a King KX 155 nav/com in my old C-150, I without a doubt consider that to be the "bar" in aircraft radios, it was powerful and always had great transmissions and receptions.

King KX 170 B
I have two of these in my Warrior (one of them is a MAC 1700 digital conversion) they are tried and proven, practically bullet proof.

King KT 76A and KT 78 Transponders
Had the 76 in my old C-150 and the 78 in my Warrior. I cant tell any difference between them, the both have always worked perfect.

I have flown a couple Narco's, and as far as transmissions go I couldn't tell a difference. BUT, one of my friends (who's plane was equipped with a Narco and a King KX 125 radio)would transmit on one and then switch to the other, you could tell a day and night difference.

Hope this helps.

Besides knowing about the radios that owners like and dislike, you should also look at these lists of "acceptable" and "unacceptable" radios by the FAA:
http://wireless.fcc.gov/aviation/goodlst.html
http://wireless.fcc.gov/aviation/badlst.html

The 78 is a cheaper version of the 76. The only real difference is in the altitude they are certified and legal to, both of which are well above the ceiling of a 150.

Also, the Narco AT150 is a good transponder and quite common.

Charles

Gotta spend 2 cents here! You will notice on the list of "Good" radios, that Michel isn't listed. The Michel MX-300 is used by many of us in the club, and mine has given flawless service. It exceeds the requirements listed on the FCC list, and has a 10 watt transmitter, while some on the "Good" list are only 5 watt output. I think this list primarily identifies out of production radios that will meet todays specs. Of course, current production radios (such as the MX-300) must meet current specs.

On the "Bad" list, a couple of "Mitchel" radios are listed, not to be confused with the "Michel" radio above. I recognized a number of other models that are still commonly found in older Cessna's, although they should have been replaced years ago! The "Bad" list is good to review prior to purchasing any older aircraft.

Carl

According to the FAA, the list of 'good' radios "...is a PARTIAL list....".

The only important criteria is the 'bad' list: "So long as your radio does not appear on the list of unacceptable radios, however, you may continue to use it. (FAA)".