Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2013-2014 - 76

GPS AND VHF

simple, intuitive operation with a rugged,
reliable design. Like most other Icom’s today,
it boasts memory to store 200 channels, a
variety of scanning functions, a large keypad
and display for fast recognition and easy, one
handed operation.

Continued from page 75

adapter for the handheld VHF transceiver. Using the
unit’s built-in mic and speaker may work fine on the
ramp, and in relatively quiet spots; they’re often barely
useable within the din of a piston airplane.

The A6’s six-character, 14-segment
alphanumeric LCD presents clear, crisp
characters, while the new keypad employs a
new channel recall function that automatically
memorizes the last 10 channels entered.

Options for 2013: “Radio Check, Please” …
VHF Nav/Comm Receivers To-go
Pilots and aircraft owners today enjoy more
excellent options in the realm of VHF aviation
transceivers than ever before.
Myriad options exist for pilots to pick from – some
exclusively communications handhelds, some nav/
comm combinations with LOC-only function.
With the convenience of instant-on solidstate circuitry, a backup handheld can restore
communications for an aircraft that suffered a failure of
anything from the main electrical system to the radio in
the panel.
Many of the options available also provide a useable
localizer indication when tuned to one of the VHF
navigation receivers. Only one provides the full ILS.
Let’s meet the products.

Like its kin, the A6 is water resistant and
remains reliable when wet. It can receive all
10 NOAA weather channels and sound an
alert when the agency issues one. The A6
also sports a dedicated red emergency key
programmed to broadcast on 121.5 MHz in
case of an emergency. Both the display and the
keypad remain back-lit until turned off.
•

Bendix/King – For the savvy shop, finding, holding
onto and sprucing up the old, reliable Bendix/King KX99 handheld nav/comm could make them the friends of
many pilots who need the rugged functionality of this
long-run unit.
Although no longer in production, this hearty unit
remains in circulation, actively reconditioned and sold
to appreciative users who covet durability over light
weight.
Accessories remain available from a variety of
outlets – among them a variety of replacement battery
options employing modern battery chemistry as well as
regulated converters to plug into ship’s power.
Functionally, some experimental builders have
mounted the top half in their panels – the part with
the electronics and controls. They can then wire the
unit to ship’s power and add permanent headphone
connections. Then they can discard the battery pack or
keep it for standby use.

A14 and A14S Comm Transceivers – Icom
designed the A14 with ground crew or student
pilots in mind, so they made it easy-to-use,
waterproof, compact and rugged to stand up to
daily wear and tear.
Given the din of the aircraft cabin and on the
ramp, the company wanted to give the user
loud, ringing audio. So the company gave them
both BTL amplifiers to cut through noise with
double the audio power and providing crystal
clear sound.
Built to withstand lots of ground use, the 14 and
14S boast a strong, water resistant casing, ultra
portable light weight, and a lithium-ion battery
pack that lasts up to 18 hours.
The 14 boasts a full keypad for frequency entry,
storage and recovery; the 14S has a simplified
keypad for quick and easy operation, as well
as the popular and exclusive red emergency
button found on most Icom models.
These are basic handheld transceivers for
those who do not need excess features and
want a simple, intuitive device – and affordable.

Icom
Offers well-regarded solutions, some that incorporate
VOR navigation functions, with innovative features and
light, compact packaging. Consider the following:
•
A6 Comm Transceiver – ICOM’s A6, the
successor to the A23 and the A5, combines

•

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A24 Nav/Comm – Take the A6, give it a VHF
nav receiver, and a few new features for good
measure, and you have Icom’s new A24, a unit
packed with cool capabilities designed for pilots
by pilots, according to the company.

Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2013-2014

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pilot's Guide to Avionics 2013-2014