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: Does anyone have any recommendations for the ultimate transceiver -
: maximum features, versatility, light-weight, long-lasting, good brand, : etc... I have both an ICOM A2 and A20. The A2, I purchased new in 1985 at Oshkosh. The A20, I purchased (new, unused) in the early 90s from a friend who lost his medical before finishing the Long EZ he was building. Keep in mind the advertised rated power output (watts carrier and watts peak envelope power) are with a specific battery pack or with the dc cigarette cord attached. Use a lower rated battery back and the power output drops off. If you connect to an external antenna, calculate the length to cut the whip to based on the frequencies you will most commonly use or for the center of the aviation band to assure best power transfer. I use the ICOM with the big battery pack attached, connected to an external antenna on my 1945 Aeronca Champ. I have a 3-inch piece of belt webbing with Fastex buckles attached around my left thigh. The radio slides on with the beltclip and stays in place as I fly. The display is clearly visible as I look down at it. If I am flying local, I use the NiCd or NiMH battery packs. For long cross countries, I slip in alkalines. Regardless, I always carry an extra battery pack. (I had the batteries go dead on my on short final into Class C airport, crossing runway with landing airline traffic. I just held short and waited for the controller to shine the light gun my way, taxied to the FBO and called them on the telephone to explain what happened. He laughed, we made arrangements for light signals so I could get out when I was ready to leave.) With regard to NiMH... they do not have memory. They do have a 5-10% per day, self discharge rate, though. High/low power switch on the ICOM allows you to conserve battery power. Turn it off once you leave airspace where you HAVE to talk to someone. Noise blanker circuit works well with unshielded ignitions. The A20 has buttons on the front panel to allow you to work splits (voice on one frequency, receive on another). The A2 will do the same thing, but you have to know the secret keystrokes to put it that mode (same as the IC2AT 2m ham radio). Keep in mind that when you finally do run the NiCd battery packs down, you dont have to throw the whole pack away. Just buy a replacement pack of cells, open up the battery pack case, unsolder the two wires, remove the old cell pack, drop in the new one, resolder the wires, close the case. Sometimes, you can put in higher capacity cells in the same case. -- ER |
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