KN 53 scrambled digits

[T. Peterson]

Hello all,

 I just took my first trip in my new to me 1979 231. Unfortunately the digits in my #2 Nav, a KN 53 are scrambled. My understanding is that this is very common as the radios age and the displays are no longer manufactured. I can buy another KN 53 used but no guarantee that display won’t fail in 6 months. The 53’s are selling for 800 to 1300 dollars, which I guess in aviation dollars is cheap, but not if the display fails in a short time. A GNC 255 at 4700.00 plus the HSI, installation and probably a bunch of other stuff this rookie knows nothing about is a non starter for a backup radio. My question is, Do I have any in between options? Your thoughts are appreciated.

 Thank you,

Torrey

[A64Pilot]

Keep shopping I got one with a new display and an 8130-3, the 8130-3 is the piece of paper from a certified repair station that ensures it’s airworthiness. For something that drives an ILS you really should get one with that piece of paper

They wanted $1100, I offered $950 and they took it, and it looks exactly like this picture.

I’ve had very good luck with used King Avionics over the years myself, it’s a little bit of a gamble sure, but what isn’t?

You can see by the 8130 that the display and lens along with the glide slope board were replaced, so this is a new display. They are out there NOS but getting fewer and fewer over time, but most of the old stuff can be repaired by individual component replacement, not so the new stuff

Not the display of course.

if you tie down, throw a towel over the glare shield to cover the instrument panel, I believe that greatly extends the life of the displays

 

Edited March 19, 2022 by A64Pilot

[T. Peterson]

Good point,

Thank you for your response. I am very inclined to take the same route.

Torrey

[A64Pilot]

It’s a money thing to me, This is a complete second system with its own KI-209, so for $1K all in I have a whole back-up ILS, they share antennas though.

Sure I’d like to have 30 or 40K for new avionics, but then there is a reason I’m flying an 81 J and not a 2021 TBM too. It depends on what you can afford, it’s very easy to spend so much on an older airplane that you can’t afford to fly it, to say nothing of the down time and the aggravation of getting all the bugs worked out of the new stuff, and the fact that if I did have all that new stuff, I wouldn’t know to really use it, Foreflight for instance, I’m a pig looking at a wrist watch with that thing

 

[T. Peterson]

That’s hilarious!

At least your 53 has ILS. Mine does not. I would need a new OBS as well as a GS equipped 53. I really like the idea of ILS and VOR backup, so that is another variable to throw into the mix.

 I am so new to all this that I don’t even know which avionics shops have the best reputations.

Another question is could I buy an ILS equipped 53 right now and upgrade the OBS later? In other words would the ILS 53 talk to the OBS in VOR/Localizer language or would it not play at all? Would the ILS 53 even plug into the panel or are the pins different? Wish I had as many answers asI do questions!!!

[carusoam]

For pre-flown avionics options and choices…

We have a source for that…

Find @Alan Fox…

He has a lot of answers for these kind of questions…

While deciding on your next panel layout… you can pop many used BK boxes in that place…

Best regards,

-a-

[Alan Fox]

I will sell you a KN53 with no GS and a hood display , for 300 . I just have to locate one... If interested , I will go look in the hangar

[A64Pilot]

1 hour ago, Alan Fox said:

I will sell you a KN53 with no GS and a hood display , for 300 . I just have to locate one... If interested , I will go look in the hangar

 

Well there is your answer. $300 isn’t even a full tank of fuel today  my opinion 

I believe but am not sure that a 53 with a glide scope receiver will slide in and work, but to make it useful would require a used KI-209, maybe a 206, 208, 204? and installation of course, plus a splitter for the glide slope antenna. It’s an Avionics person question though, I’m not one.

If you plan on real IFR, a backup ILS is a nice thing to have, a second VOR in this day of gps nav isn’t as useful as it used to be, best used for intersection identification and holding I guess, but with GPS is DME even very useful anymore?

But see I just pointed out THE problem with any Avionics upgrade, in aircraft design we called it creeping elegance, the realization that for just a little more money and work you can make it better, that little more money often isn’t really just a little, which is why I think used Avionics can be such a good deal.

Alan can make you whole again for $300, but to go new with installation charges etc would likely cost at least ten times that.

Edited March 19, 2022 by A64Pilot

[T. Peterson]

Hello Alan,

Thank you! I will certainly take you up on your offer! 
Torrey

[T. Peterson]

A64,

You are right on all counts! “Creeping elegance”, what a great term. Eventually I will succumb, but right now I want a quick fix so I can just go fly and learn the airplane and the 430W which is the primary nav. A back up ILS is completely desirable and it will happen eventually. I also have to deal with an oil leak and a scratchy #1com, so I have to have some funds saved back for those issues.

Right now I have to go dispose of a dead calf that I didn’t get pulled in time. I love having a few cows, but there are sad days.

Thanks for all your help and sound advice!!

[A64Pilot]

I have a scratchy #2 comm, but it’s only the side tone, a comms check people tell me the xmit sounds good, so I’m not worried that I can’t hear myself clearly.

Do you know if you transmit scratchy or it’s just the side tone?

In my case I suspect the old KMA-24 comm panel, my intercom also gets bad from time to time. so I’m thinking when funds free up to get a PS 7000 which is plug and play for the old KMA-24 just have to connect intercom wiring, but PS will build you a harness too. That should fix both problems I hope.

If you eventually want a back up ILS I’d find out if a radio with one will work in your rack, been years since I really looked but think the GS is just a second connector in the rack, if so find one with a glide slope and your a lot closer to that back up ILS.

Edited March 19, 2022 by A64Pilot

[T. Peterson]

ATC was complaining, so it is definitely on the transmit side and not just my side tone.

Maybe an antenna connection or something. Airplane had sat unflown in a New Mexico hangar for 6 years so I expect to have to work out some gremlins!

[T. Peterson]

To get an ILS I also have to change out the CDI and there are also wiring changes that are well above my pay grade. I can operate a 3/32 Allen wrench, pull one radio out and plop another one in, but if two wrenches are required I may be on thin ice! Haha!

[amillet]

“Right now I have to go dispose of a dead calf that I didn’t get pulled in time. I love having a few cows, but there are sad days.”

Having been raised on a 200 cow dairy farm I can relate.  

[T. Peterson]

I bet you can relate. Even though you know it’s a part of having cattle, it’s still painful to lose one.

[A64Pilot]

We had a Black Angus heard growing up, 50 years later I still miss grass fed beef. Keep thinking I’ll get me a chest freezer and see if I can buy a half a cow locally.

‘What I miss about Tx is the small local custom butcher, they don’t exist here

[T. Peterson]

We moved to Texas from Michigan in 2013 and love it!

we get our steers butchered at a small butcher facility run by a Mennonite family. Whispering Pines in Emory Texas. They are excellent!