From: carlson@linac.fnal.gov (Kermit Carlson)
Subject: Re: Avionics (King) questions
Organization: Fermiland, Batavia, IL
Date: Wed, 26 Aug 1992 17:50:54 GMT

In article <1992Aug26.161802.29628@nas.nasa.gov> (Matthew W. Blake) writes:
>Well, some scum sucking bastards stole much of the avionics out of several
>aircraft over the weekend at Palo Alto Airport, California, and mine was
>one of the unluckys.
>....
>So I have options! I have an Archer in excellent shape, it's in a flying
>club and sees lots of VFR and IFR.....>
>What was taken:  (2) KX170B Nav/coms
>                 (1) KR86 ADF
>                 (1) KN64 DME
>
>The insurance covers "replacement cost".  I do not want to get used 170Bs
>as I do not wish to trust used equipment when I can get new (with King 
>warranty) radios.  I would like suggestions from readers experienced with 
>any of the following systems on what they think or would suggest.
...
>Matt Blake, PA28-181/N3576J
>blake@nas.nasa.gov 

Matt,
    Sorry to hear about the stolen gear. As a matter of introduction I
do work part-time at an avionics repair facility and have experience
in King and Narco equipment. Just wondering why you dont consider a
new Narco Mark12-D (they are now available with 760 channel capability
as apposed to the original 720 channels). I purchased a new MK12-D
with Glideslope RX and ID-825 indicator for $2100 in May (actually $1950 on
account of a $150 factory rebate). I have been more than pleased with
the results. In talking with several other people who made similar
decisions I really think King is overrated. HOWEVER, if the thief took
just the radios and not the trays your decision to stay with King is
probably a good one unless you have a compelling reason to re-do
the stack.....
     In my case, the airplane needed to be completly taken apart
and redone to do the install of new equipment justice. I actually
purchased the new Narco radio from a "big volume" dealer from TAP.
     Ordering from a dealer in Trade-A-Plane for the best
deal was the repair shop owner's idea. He said that a small dealer
cant afford to compete with the volume vendors so he doesnt handle 
new equipment, just the install. A lot of repair stations will not
install equipment bought elsewhere - YELLOW TAG or not- so check out
how to handle this with whoever you chose to do the install work.
     As far as used equipment goes, I really cant see paying the
going rate of $1500 for a used KX-170/175; they are good solid and
proven equipment but I would opt for NEW. 
     As far as GPS/LORAN goes its really hard to predict 
what will be required for a TSO'ed GPS sensor but 
the chances are that GPS will be approved for en-route
and non-precision approaches soon after the constellation is complete
in 1993. It might be prudent to wait on that for a while so that
you dont have $3K in a unit with a "for VFR use only" sticker on the
panel. Also, if you travel in an area with lots of NDB approaches
the ADF is a nessicity. The same argument holds for the DME. 
Its really a shame that the future of GPS in general aviation is 
still nebulous since it appears that it might very well displace
both the ADF and DME in a tight panel. I have found my portable to
be useable 99% of the time with no external antenna, and I am just
waiting to get a "TSO'd" panel mount GPS for IFR use........

                                             cheers,

                                                Kermit
                                                Cessna N51411

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