Microlighters

Hi All,
Just a question out of interest. Which is better on a trike, a handheld radio e.g. Vertex 220 or a panel mount?
Thanks
Trikenut

Where exactly would you try and fit a panel mounted radio on a Trike, size wise not practical.

coastwise wrote:Where exactly would you try and fit a panel mounted radio on a Trike, size wise not practical.

Hi Coastwise,
You can fit them to trikes such as the Aiborne and Cobra.
Some info please!

Why you want a panel mount??

You take handheld home and listen to ATC and other aircraft.

No contest.

Simple answer, VXA 220 and a 9.6 volt power supply. No debate. Only one thing needed that we have learnt with Vertex, we use a Binder 710 4 way jack/socket to hitch up the intercom. The continual unscrewing trashes the cable after a while. It is the BEST radio we have ever used and sold. Far better than most small panel mounts. Icom have lost the plot.

A VXA 220 with a Vee rabbit antenna on a trike will give greater than 200kms, very good noise 'elimination" it does everything just as it should do....Try that with a Microair.

Zulu1

Thanks all that have commented.
Any more info?

Listen to ZULU1 - he's the man!

Just question Trikenut. You have asked questions on engines, wings and now radios. Are you building a trike with a combinations of all the answers you receieve?

How's the training going?

No, sorry.
Just want to find out all this interesting stuff!

Hi there Zulu

I have above-mentioned radio,
Spoke to agents and have it connected to trikes 12 volt output( maybe a bit more)
with no problem.
I find it a hassle to remove airial all the time so lately I have been leaving it on trike.
Please advise on binder 710 jack and where it can be bought
Thanks
Sukkelaar

OK, The VXA 220, 300 and 710 all will accept a input up to 15 volts, we manufacture power supplies set to 9,6 volts and are user adjustable inside, they also include line chokes and other noise reduction devices. The regulators (LM338) are designed to have a voltage differential of approx. 1,5 volts. It is desirable to make this differential as wide as possible. The line chokes and regulator then delivers a very smooth supply. Although I may add the Vertex radios are in a far superior league to other units in this respect anyway.

Secondly, we have found that by user reducing the power supply down to say 6,8 volts it reduces the power output of the radio, when used locally with the Vee Rabbit antenna they actually swamp other frequencies and even car radios. So if flying a long trip and you want serious transmission power you simply remove the power plug. Then plug it back to deliver about 0,9 watts which is ample for up to about 80 or so kms. That way you can utilise the reception capabilities of the Vee rabbit antenna.

Binder plugs, i have been importing ourselves as we also use them on water coolers for bomb suits and I can supply a limited few. Demon will be supplying me in the near future and I would imagine he will be happy to supply direct. Also try RS components as they possibly stock them ? They are great as they can be linked direct to a headset also and very small. This "fix" sorts out the constant removing by unscrewing the plugs. Whilst on the subject, I have searched the world and the best replacement Vertex plug is actually the CT91 as they are cheaper than the CT96 and you just chop off the ends. The VXA is directly compatible with the older ICA3,22,4 5,23 series as its 4 wire and the input circuitry is very similar. It does not give rf hassles as the ICA6/24 series does.

Great radios, nothing in the same league, even panel mounts and they have user adjustable tone controls... and I am supposed to be a Icom dealer !!

Ciao Zulu1

Luv it when you talk foreign.

hi zulu great speech but i just want to ask you something. how can i improve my vertex 220's signal on the ground?

thanks man!