Needing Audio Panel

[Wakeup]

I am adding another KX-155 to my existing KX-155. I have always just had one so now I need an audio panel. Please message me if you have one that would work. Thanks. Troy

[Tom]

I am adding another KX-155 to my existing KX-155. I have always just had one so now I need an audio panel. Please message me if you have one that would work. Thanks. Troy

 

What is the goal?   A bare-bones CB solution would be to install a $10 toggle switch to designate the transmit radio.  Just an idea.

[N601RX]

I have a KMA20 audio panel and separate PS Eng intercom that worked 2 months ago when I replaced them.  The audio panel had a new faceplate and looks good, but is old.  I can send you some pictures if your interested.

[Marauder]

What is the goal? A bare-bones CB solution would be to install a $10 toggle switch to designate the transmit radio. Just an idea.

Troy is dropping a second Nav/Com into his bird. Currently only has 1 radio and will be needing to get Nav IDs, etc.

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[drapo]

The biggest cost will be the installation, new, a no frill  audio panel will be around 1AMU, a used one .5 to 1.5 AMU, depending on features.

 

Installation, paperwork, etc... could reach 1.5AMU and up, depending on what you want to connect to the audio panel (intercom, comms, navaids...) I would sugges a new audio panel, sometimes they're easier to install than the old ones cause they have an intercom built-in, but it's your call!

[KSMooniac]

I too would recommend a new one from PS Engineering, or at least a modern one.  In the grand scheme of airplane costs, audio panels are terribly expensive to buy, but installation can be expensive.  It will cost nearly the same to install an old or obsolete audio panel compared to a modern one.  PSE makes great products.

[N601RX]

I recently put in a used Garmin GMA 340 I got off Beachtalk for $700. It was 6 months old and came with a new install kit.  Wire and audio jacks cost another $150.  I tried to keep up with the time and here is how it broke down.  It involves a lot of shielded wiring and is time consuming to strip and terminate correctly.  Its also time consuming to get access to all the devices it needs to connect to.  The good news was that is was much better than the KMA20 it replaced and a very nice upgrade.  If at all possible I would get something that was at least a 340.  From that point forward all the products standardized on the wiring pinout and there will be several slide in replacement choices if you ever decide to upgrade or need a replacement in the future.

 

 

Remove old audio panel, intercom a wiring                                        2 hrs.

remove all radio trays and backplates.                                               1 hr

Build up harness in picture at home                                                   9 hrs

Route new harness through plane to all positions and equipment     4hrs

put audio connectors on all 4 positions and connect ptt switches      4hrs

Connect to both coms, both navs, gps, traffic watch, dme                  7hrs

mount tray and connect to power                                                       1hr

put everything back together                                                              3hrs

[Wakeup]

Is is bad for me to like the idea of a toggle switch?? I could always wait ane put an audio panel in later when I start working on my instrument rating. I don't want to be the guy that has more in my panel then my plane and want to upgrade to a newer plane. I really want a back up mainly. I have never experienced the luxury of having one so I don't know what I am missing. Troy

[N601RX]

Do you currently have an intercom?

[StevenL757]

I too would recommend a new one from PS Engineering, or at least a modern one.  In the grand scheme of airplane costs, audio panels are terribly expensive to buy, but installation can be expensive.  It will cost nearly the same to install an old or obsolete audio panel compared to a modern one.  PSE makes great products.

Agree. A nice PMA8000B/BT or a PMA450 would add as much, if not more capability than a GMA35 or GMA350 for a better price.

[Tom]

Is is bad for me to like the idea of a toggle switch?? I could always wait ane put an audio panel in later when I start working on my instrument rating. I don't want to be the guy that has more in my panel then my plane and want to upgrade to a newer plane. I really want a back up mainly. I have never experienced the luxury of having one so I don't know what I am missing. Troy

 

Given this response, with due respect to others, I'd ignore the advice to install an audio panel now and would strongly suggest to go ahead and use a switch. The cost of the switch experiment is next to free and it will probably serve your stated purpose.  You can always dump 2amu in a new audio panel install if you find your needs are not being met (I do agree with the 'buy once cry once' approach to dealing with audio panels).

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