Help A Cheap Bast$&d Out...

[FloridaMan]

I had a seating issue with my secondary, also a 12D. It seemed to manifest itself first as the higher frequencies being tougher to receive or quieter. Then the display became dimmer. Reracking it fixed the issue in my case. 

[Marauder]

Ok, it's official... a moment of silence... my installed new Narco Mark 12D+ has finally died, died. The boys at Agape bench tested it for a day and it tested fine. After re-installing, it died a hard death on the flight home. 

 

Tim -- I will call the guys in Harrisburg on Monday. Thanks for the lead.

 

So, I'm down to a decision of where to go next. Here is where I am headed, what would you do?

 

1) Seek out a repair on the Narco. I installed it new in 1993 and it is in great physical shape. Just doesn't work now. Would you invest money in a product that has no formal support program left?

2) Find a used KX-155 or SL30. Does anyone have a decent KX-155 (not the A version) or an SL30 they want to sell? 

3) Install a GNC-255. General consensus is that VORs will be here for a while. Features integrate with my GTN650.

4) Install a second GTN650 and be in the dog house forever. 

 

Appreciate your thoughts...

[N601RX]

The Narco will be easier to fix now that has completely died. There is also a place in Florida and Tx that still repairs them. I believe that is all they do.

[Marauder]

  On 1/2/2015 at 10:13 PM, N601RX said:

The Narco will be easier to fix now that has completely died. There is also a place in Florida and Tx that still repairs them. I believe that is all they do.

 

Got any idea what the name is? The guys at Agape think it is the modulator.

[Bob_Belville]

You are such a wimp.

 

5) Install a GTN 750. She-Who-Must- Be-Obeyed will get over it and you will be on the top of the bragging mountain, and my hero, again. And you will love it long after you've forgotten what it cost or what you would have done with those bucks. (You'll be thrown out of the CB club, they're just jealous.) 

[N601RX]

  On 1/2/2015 at 10:14 PM, Marauder said:

Got any idea what the name is? The guys at Agape think it is the modulator.

They both used to advertise in trade a plane. The guy in fl is Roy Dawson.

[Marauder]

  On 1/2/2015 at 10:25 PM, N601RX said:

They both used to advertise in trade a plane. The guy in fl is Roy Dawson.

 

Thanks. I will try to track him down. Tim C also gave me the name of a shop in Harrisburg (close to me). I will try to reach out to them.

[Marauder]

  On 1/2/2015 at 10:18 PM, Bob_Belville said:

You are such a wimp.

 

5) Install a GTN 750. She-Who-Must- Be-Obeyed will get over it and you will be on the top of the bragging mountain, and my hero, again. And you will love it long after you've forgotten what it cost or what you would have done with those bucks. (You'll be thrown out of the CB club, they're just jealous.) 

 

When I was at the avionics shop this morning (to have them read the Narco it's last rites), I asked them about a 750. Do you know what they are getting for them now? If I went that route, other than my wife killing me and me being kicked out of the CB Club, I would need to redo my whole panel again. The 750/650 won't fit in the center stack together without me moving stuff around. My ACU would need to come out of the panel and go to the avionics bay and my JPI would need to move over. Lot more than I want to do...

[fantom]

  On 1/2/2015 at 10:05 PM, Marauder said:

 

.....Install a second GTN650 and be in the dog house forever. 

 

 

 

Wonderful image

[fantom]

  On 1/2/2015 at 10:34 PM, Marauder said:

 Lot more than I want to do...

 

It's not like you've been getting lost a lot recently  .

[Bob_Belville]

  On 1/2/2015 at 10:34 PM, Marauder said:

When I was at the avionics shop this morning (to have them read the Narco it's last rites), I asked them about a 750. Do you know what they are getting for them now? If I went that route, other than my wife killing me and me being kicked out of the CB Club, I would need to redo my whole panel again. The 750/650 won't fit in the center stack together without me moving stuff around. My ACU would need to come out of the panel and go to the avionics bay and my JPI would need to move over. Lot more than I want to do...

Glad to hear you're thinking about it. 

[Marauder]

  On 1/2/2015 at 10:37 PM, fantom said:

It's not like you've been getting lost a lot recently .

Of course not. I have (but don't tell Peter Garmin this) my trusty Garmin Pilot at my side.

[Marauder]

  On 1/2/2015 at 10:43 PM, Bob_Belville said:

Glad to hear you're thinking about it.

Tell you what Bob. I'll get a 750 to complement my 650, if you buy a 650 to complement your 750. Deal? Now who is the bigger wimp?

[Marauder]

Ideally, I would be happy with a basic Com radio. It is pretty hard to get lost today with Aspens, iPads, iPhones and even the Vertex I carry with VOR capability.

[N6758N]

What a sad day Chris, we all felt bad for you today. If it was me and I was spending your money, I would stick another 650 in there. Otherwise find a good used KX-155, either one wouldn't require and entire panel makeover.

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[Marauder]

  On 1/2/2015 at 11:04 PM, N6758N said:

What a sad day Chris, we all felt bad for you today. If it was me and I was spending your money, I would stick another 650 in there. Otherwise find a good used KX-155, either one wouldn't require and entire panel makeover.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

How about you work a deal for me? I got a reputation to protect around here!

[carusoam]

Digital and Narco go together as well as...

Second GTN and CB...

I have a couple Narco devices on a shelf to remind me of who I didn't want to be....

Narco was a great small company who decide to charge 50 bucks to look at a radio that had oxidized/broken nylon gears. A $5 fix...

Call me a bitter, old CB when you put the old Narco on the shelf!

A KSN 770 and a KX165 would go well together...

Since you have the GTN already add used KX165

Do you really need a second GPS navigator?

The second nav/com has become a real back-up compared to the strength of a GTN with it's real database of frequencies...

This is a dangerous question...

When was the last time a BK GPS failed in flight?

Same question for the GTN...leaving out the antenna related issues...

Go BK!,

-a-

[larryb]

Option 3. No used electronics. Old used radios will just cost you more in the future. A second GPS adds very little real capability. Nice but not needed on a budget.

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[MooneyPTG]

I would fix it and always carry a portable

[Marauder]

  On 1/3/2015 at 2:37 AM, larryb said:

Option 3. No used electronics. Old used radios will just cost you more in the future. A second GPS adds very little real capability. Nice but not needed on a budget.

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Larry - I typically don't buy used equipment either but recently did take my first steps with a used Garmin 327. We'll see how this plays out.

I agree a second GPS may be overkill. The cost of these replacement Nav/Coms are really high as well and for a lot less capability. Tough call...

[Marauder]

  On 1/3/2015 at 2:42 AM, MooneyPTG said:

I would fix it and always carry a portable

This makes the most sense, I just worry that tossing $1,500 for the repair of a 20 year radio from a defunct company might be throwing good money away. I do carry a Vertex backup but anyone who has tried using one in flight knows how difficult it can be.

[N601RX]

I don't think it will be $1500. Call one of the Narco only shops who have been doing these for the last 30 years and they will almost know from the symptoms what parts are bad. I'm thinking more in the $400 range with the real culprit being a $.50 capacitor. The trick is using someone who knows these to the point they really don't even need a schematic.

[N6758N]

Chris- there is a guy selling two KX-155s in the for sale section, you may want to see how much he wants for one...

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[Marauder]

  On 1/6/2015 at 12:51 AM, N6758N said:

Chris- there is a guy selling two KX-155s in the for sale section, you may want to see how much he wants for one...

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Thanks for the headsup. I am about to send the radio to the shop Tim above recommended. If they can't fix it, one of these would be an option.

[RocketAviator]

Chris let me check I might have a couple I took out of my Saratoga when I installed the Garmin 530.

I think they are in my hanger let me see if I can find them.

I'll let u know!