Need a glide slope solution

[skydvrboy]

Currently working on my instrument rating and the glide slope on my KI 211C went kaput.  It would never work on the local ILS frequency, (108.9) but seemed to work just about everywhere else.  I took it to Bevan Aviation to see if they could fix it.  When they could get it working on the higher frequencies, it wouldn't work on the lower ones and vice versa.  Now, I'm not sure where it will work... if at all, so I'm looking for a cost effective option to finish up my instrument rating (should be done in the next few weeks).

The KI 211C was paired with a Mac1700, which apparently is a face plate on a KX 170B radio.  I really like the Mac1700 and don't really want to replace it so if there is anything compatible, that would be my first choice.  Anyone got a spare KI 211C laying around!?   If not, what can I do to get an inexpensive glide slope display to finish my rating?

 

 

[EricJ]

Those are kind of awful because they have the glideslope receiver in the display unit, and a funky quasi-digital tuning interface between the CDI and the Mac1700/KX170B.   

Was Bevan able to determine whether it is actually in the CDI or maybe a tuning signal fault with the radio?   A TKM MX170 will also drop-in in the same radio tray and drive the KI211C, but if that's not where the problem is then that won't help.    The good news may be that lots of people have removed KI211C or other compatible CDIs during panel upgrades, so there may be some laying around hangars in your area.    If you can find somebody with a ramp tester you could swap a few around until you find one that works on the frequencies in your area to get the check ride done.   I have a couple of those here, but I use them for the same thing...swapping around to test other old, crappy CDIs. 

I don't know of an inexpensive alternative if that's your only ILS receiver, since it would require changing both the CDI and nav/com to move to a newer system.

[skydvrboy]

11 minutes ago, EricJ said:

Was Bevan able to determine whether it is actually in the CDI or maybe a tuning signal fault with the radio?

It's a problem with the receiver in the CDI.  The visit before they were supposed to check it out and instead checked out and tuned up the Mac1700, so it's like new now. 

[Igor_U]

Apart from getting KI 211 replacement, I think choice is adding the combination of a KI-209 Glideslope Indicator and KN-75 Glideslope Receiver. KN-75 are quite inexpensive but you would need to do rewiring for it. Good luck.

[skydvrboy]

Great news!  I went out tonight and test flew a few different ILS approaches.  The glide slope still functions perfectly at the other airports I tried (higher frequency LOC's).  It's still frustrating that I'll be stuck flying the LOC approach to my home drone, but at least I'll be able to finish my rating.