nav/com comparison

[dpilot83]

Does anyone have any experience with both the sportys nav/com and the icom nav/com or just the icom w/o the nav part. I would like to know how they compare in range, ease of use, etc and have had a hard time finding any comparison reviews. How do they both work with the antennea that comes with it. how do they work with an added antenna that you would suction cup to a window or something? can you talk to tower five miles away? 10? Any other things to consider? Any info is appreciated. Thanks

 

[agpilot34]

I've only held the Sporty's unit, and it just felt cheap. I've heard good and bad about it. I do, however, own an ICOM IC-A23 and as far as I'm concerned, they are the tops as far as quality is concerned. I've used mine during ground ops as well as flying, and it's performed flawlessly since day one. The range is just fine with the rubber antenna, and talking to a tower 5 miles away while in the air is no problem. I've used mine during an electrical failure in the OKC area, and had no problems at all staying in touch with OK City Approach while going through their airspace. I think if I was going to use it for anything more than emergencys I would go ahead and get the other antenna though. I know guys that use this radio as their primary Nav/Comm in homebuilts and several antique aircraft with no electrical systems. Never heard a complaint from any of them, either.

 

[JCJ]

Portable Nav Com's

I have an ICOM A-22 (Nav/Com) and a Vertex (Yaesu) VXA-150 (Comm only, no nav)

Both work great. The ICOM is bigger and bulkier, but the controls are more intuitive and easier to use. The Vertex controls require more soft-keys - OK on the ground, hassle in the air.

Both are sturdy. On the ground, I like the Vertex (much smaller, easier to carry). Of course on the ground, I have no need for "Nav". If I were in the air with radio or electrical failure, I'd rather have the ICOM. (and a portable GPS)

All "rubber duck" antennas are inefficient. They will probably work within a few miles of the ATC antenna while in the air. A mounted antenna of any kind is much better. If you fly the same plane all the time, there is an inexpensive "splitter" than can be put into an antenna cable to allow you to plug in an emergency radio if needed - be sure you have compatible connectors. The ICOM uses BNC, the Vertex uses SMA.

If you are lost or in IMC w/ electrical failure, a portable GPS is probably more valuable for emergency navigation than a portable Nav/Com (of course you can't talk to ATC on a GPS). With that said, I had a friend a couple of months ago lose his electrical system in IMC - used his hand-held NAV/COM to make two approaches, the second of which ended in a safe landing (he was IMC at MDA on the first approach and had to go missed).

So in summary, IMHO my ICOM is better for emergencies and my Vertex is better for everyday use.

 

[dpilot83]

Thanks for the imput. The idea is that even maybe an antenna that you would suction cup to the window would be better than the regular one then? I'm flying a neighbors kit plane that has a poor radio and I would end up using the nav/com i buy as my primary means of communication if i ended up having to go to a towered airport or had an emergency.

 

[JCJ]

Thanks for the imput. The idea is that even maybe an antenna that you would suction cup to the window would be better than the regular one then? I'm flying a neighbors kit plane that has a poor radio and I would end up using the nav/com i buy as my primary means of communication if i ended up having to go to a towered airport or had an emergency.

Most likely yes

antenna efficiency of the "rubber duck' antennas supplied with the radio is really bad. Almist any other antenna is an improbement