Portable Aviation Radio

[RFriesen]

I'd would like feedback from the aviation community on portable radios for certified aircraft. Given the reliability of today's nav/coms should a portable radio still be put into one's flight bag?

[toto]

I won't fly without one. I change the batteries once a year on a schedule, and mine is always within arm's reach. 

I have had a few complete electrical failures in my flying career, and I've done them both with and without a handheld. The "with a handheld" is much nicer. 

I've never used the nav function for anything, but you'd be surprised how far out you can reach a tower - even with the little whip antenna. 

[hammdo]

Ditto, my radio mike jack went out and I plugged in my handheld with the remote antenna. Was able to fly to destination without incident. Plugged in my headset, transmit button, and asked for radio check - got a 5 by 5. My icom A22 radio is over 22 years old and works flawless. Has VOR so I’m keeping it ;o)

-Don

[carusoam]

Everyone with an IR has one...

At least to get recorded messages prior to starting the engine... or picking up clearances...

Then, hopefully it is still alive when your instrument panel goes dark...

Get one with an ILS receiver and gps just for sport...

In case you thought you were alone...  

https://mooneyspace.com/search/?q="Portable radio"&updated_after=any&sortby=relevancy&search_and_or=and

Best regards,

-a-

[EricJ]

Regardless of how reliable nav/coms are, generators/alternators/regulators/wiring/breakers/batteries can all conspire on reliability statistics, so carrying a handheld is still a good idea.   I had to use mine when the field wire broke on my alternator.   Definitely good to have on hand.

 

Edited March 11, 2020 by EricJ

[Rwsavory]

Yes.  I have used a portable radio in-flight on at least two occasions. One while transiting inside Bravo airspace.  Both of these occasions were due to the failure of our intercom/audio panel. Last year I had an alternator failure, and almost had to use the portable. Sportys sells one that connects directly to your headset. $200.  

[toto]

2 minutes ago, Rwsavory said:

 Sportys sells one that connects directly to your headset. $200.  

Yep.  I leave the adapter plugged into my handheld, so I just unplug my headset from the panel and plug it into the adapter.  The whole process takes about 30 seconds.

[carusoam]

Follow-up for RF...

Funny... the OP is RF, And asking about radios...   radio frequency humor...

There is a bunch mentioned about reliability of electrical systems...

Certified planes run so well... they wear stuff out over a long time...

Including generators, batteries, voltage controllers, wiring, and connectors....

Always have a Plan B... it is a normal part of certified and non-certified aviation life...

Best regards,

-a-

[PT20J]

ELTs are great, but nothing beats calling that airliner passing overhead.

[Yetti]

Levels of redundancy with not one relying on the other level to work.

[tmo]

Also useful to call for a startup clearance where one is needed...

[Jerry 5TJ]

I have a VHF handheld in the plane.  Its battery is charged whenever the plane is powered.  

 A dedicated VHF comm antenna installed on the plane is connected via coax to the handheld radio.

 Without the external antenna the portable radio is nearly worthless as a backup because the “rubber duckie” antenna offers little range.  

[gsxrpilot]

I guess I should probably get one 

[Ned Gravel]

5 hours ago, Jerry 5TJ said:

I have a VHF handheld in the plane.  Its battery is charged whenever the plane is powered.  

 A dedicated VHF comm antenna installed on the plane is connected via coax to the handheld radio.

 Without the external antenna the portable radio is nearly worthless as a backup because the “rubber duckie” antenna offers little range.  

ICOM A6 attached to the coax that used to go to the marker beacon and that replaced with a Comant VHF antenna on the belly.  Clarence calls them "eye-pokers."

[jlunseth]

I have one and keep it charged.  It plugs in on the panel to connect to the Comm 2 antenna (radio must be off). Never have used it though.

Don’t forget your other one though.  Cell phone.  It won’t help you at 19,000, but anywhere near the ground you should get reception. That one I did use once when NORDO.  Worked good.