REFLECTOR:GPS/COM radio

[Al Gietzen]

Brian;

Check with Velocity; they may still be able to get you a GX-60.
(Maybe I shouldn't tell you, I was still considering that option, and they
may run out)

Al

-----Original Message-----
From: reflector-admin@tvbf.org [mailto:reflector-admin@tvbf.org] On Behalf
Of Brian Michalk
Sent: Tuesday, May 11, 2004 7:57 AM
To: reflector@tvbf.org
Subject: REFLECTOR:GPS/COM radio

I am finally wiring up the instrument panel.  I had chosen the Apollo line
of radios because they support RS232 communications to do a lot of things
like load frequencies, etc.  Almost everything you can do from the front
panel, you can do via the serial communication.

I was concerned when Garmin bought out UPS, and figure I would always be
able to get a radio that has the features I want.  I did manage to get a
used transponder, and SL30 nav/com.

Now I've gone to Garmin's site to see what they have.  I found out that they
have discontinued the GX60, which is a GPS/COM, class A1 IFR for enroute and
approach navigation.  I sent them an email, and the closest they have is the
GNC300XL.  Unfortunately, their RS232 connection does not allow very much to
be done with the radio; it's all GPS communications.

So, now I'm worried that I will not be able to get the serial radio that I
want.  I don't want to buy two separate radios (COM and GPS), but I do want
something with the serial capability.

Does anyone know of other companies that might have something I'm looking
for?  I am also interested in purchasing a used GX60 if the price is right.

I had planned to install the GX60 some time after I was flying, but am
worried about the availability in the future.  Given Garmin's history of
bundling everything into one unit, I am not optimistic they will have such a
radio in the future.  UPS was the only company that I'm aware of that made
radios with such open (serial) communications standards.

I see the avionics options available to use in the future to be slim.  There
will always be the small guys, but what incentive do they have to open up
their inter-radio communications?  Same way with Garmin.  I think they will
close it down so that third party vendors can't make enhancements, thus
locking you into their platform.  I think UPS did this because they weren't
in it for the money.  They ship packages, and it showed on how they
implemented their architecture.  It was open and flexible compared to what
every one else is doing.

 Brian Michalk  <http://www.awpi.com/michalk>
Life is what you make of it ... never wish you had done something.
Aviator, experimental aircraft builder, motorcyclist, SCUBA diver
musician, home-brewer, entrepreneur and barely single.


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