TaildraggerPilot Posted September 9 Report Posted September 9 12 minutes ago, MikeOH said: You have summarized my problem exactly! I do NOT know which indicator I have, and I'm not going to change it out just to be able to use a KX-165. The VOR radial feature is EXACTLY why I'd like to have the KX-165, though I guess the real question is what indicators WON'T the KX-165 drive? And, secondly, is there a 'box' (VOR/LOC converter?) of some kind that is between my KX-155 and the indicator that would no longer be needed? That would imply tearing into my panel to remove and rewire; also not worth it for 1980's tech. Really, if I can't just pop out the KX-155 and slide in the KX-165 I'm going to, unfortunately, have to move on to a more expensive solution. Just get a yellow tagged 155 or the slide-in replacement (KX-200?) from King, and be done with it.
MikeOH Posted September 9 Report Posted September 9 Just now, TaildraggerPilot said: Just get a yellow tagged 155 or the slide-in replacement (KX-200?) from King, and be done with it. That's the plan (most likely have mine refurbished by KX-155.com when the time comes).
TaildraggerPilot Posted September 9 Report Posted September 9 2 minutes ago, MikeOH said: That's the plan (most likely have mine refurbished by KX-155.com when the time comes). Those pesky displays though….
MikeOH Posted September 9 Report Posted September 9 Just now, TaildraggerPilot said: Those pesky displays though…. Exactly! That's likely when I know it's time; can't figure out what freq I'm looking at
PeterRus Posted September 9 Report Posted September 9 47 minutes ago, MikeOH said: That's the plan (most likely have mine refurbished by KX-155.com when the time comes). Pay attention to the fine print.
ad5ut Posted September 9 Report Posted September 9 14 hours ago, jrwilson said: ….so, back to the point…anybody want a working kx-165? Were you able to find the part number to see if it is a 720 or 760 channel version? I will buy it if it is a 760 rather than trying to do any repairs on my 720-channel unit.
Slick Nick Posted September 9 Report Posted September 9 2 hours ago, MikeOH said: You have summarized my problem exactly! I do NOT know which indicator I have, and I'm not going to change it out just to be able to use a KX-165. The VOR radial feature is EXACTLY why I'd like to have the KX-165, though I guess the real question is what indicators WON'T the KX-165 drive? And, secondly, is there a 'box' (VOR/LOC converter?) of some kind that is between my KX-155 and the indicator that would no longer be needed? That would imply tearing into my panel to remove and rewire; also not worth it for 1980's tech. Really, if I can't just pop out the KX-155 and slide in the KX-165 I'm going to, unfortunately, have to move on to a more expensive solution. Post up a photo or see if you can get to the backside and look at the model number of your indicator. I’ve got all the old Bendix King interconnect wiring diagrams.
MikeOH Posted September 9 Report Posted September 9 1 hour ago, Slick Nick said: Post up a photo or see if you can get to the backside and look at the model number of your indicator. I’ve got all the old Bendix King interconnect wiring diagrams. Thank you! I will contort myself under the panel the next time I'm at my hangar, and I'll see what I can see!
MikeOH Posted September 9 Report Posted September 9 I'm sure this Table will clear things right up <sarcasm>
LANCECASPER Posted September 9 Report Posted September 9 @jrwilson you have a buyer if it's a 760 channel unit.
carusoam Posted September 9 Report Posted September 9 7 hours ago, MikeOH said: You have summarized my problem exactly! I do NOT know which indicator I have, and I'm not going to change it out just to be able to use a KX-165. The VOR radial feature is EXACTLY why I'd like to have the KX-165, though I guess the real question is what indicators WON'T the KX-165 drive? And, secondly, is there a 'box' (VOR/LOC converter?) of some kind that is between my KX-155 and the indicator that would no longer be needed? That would imply tearing into my panel to remove and rewire; also not worth it for 1980's tech. Really, if I can't just pop out the KX-155 and slide in the KX-165 I'm going to, unfortunately, have to move on to a more expensive solution. This is where it helps to pull out a wiring diagram for the KX165… BK used to be really good at having their manuals on line… expect the 165 to be able to do everything the 155 can… just make sure the wiring pins on the back are in the same place… the 165 can also show a VOR type display on its face. In the event you lose connection with its display… a crude display of light segments moving roughly… my 165 drives the HSI with GS… my 155 only drives a VOR display… there may be additional details of what is in the box… with the extra numbers and letters it has on its label… really fuzzy pilot memories not an electronics tech… Best regards, -a- 1 1
TaildraggerPilot Posted September 10 Report Posted September 10 2 hours ago, carusoam said: This is where it helps to pull out a wiring diagram for the KX165… BK used to be really good at having their manuals on line… expect the 165 to be able to do everything the 155 can… just make sure the wiring pins on the back are in the same place… the 165 can also show a VOR type display on its face. In the event you lose connection with its display… a crude display of light segments moving roughly… my 165 drives the HSI with GS… my 155 only drives a VOR display… there may be additional details of what is in the box… with the extra numbers and letters it has on its label… really fuzzy pilot memories not an electronics tech… Best regards, -a- Both the 165 & 155 can include GS receivers. 1
jrwilson Posted September 10 Author Report Posted September 10 9 hours ago, ad5ut said: Were you able to find the part number to see if it is a 720 or 760 channel version? I will buy it if it is a 760 rather than trying to do any repairs on my 720-channel unit. I’ll go out to the airport Thursday morning and check if I have channels above 135.00.
LANCECASPER Posted September 10 Report Posted September 10 the 165 can also show a VOR type display on its face. In the event you lose connection with its display… a crude display of light segments moving roughly… I think the built-in CDI function didn't come out until the KX165A somewhere in the 2nd half of the 1990's. I believe the KX-165 just had the current radial feature. 1
OR75 Posted September 10 Report Posted September 10 On 9/8/2025 at 7:09 PM, MikeOH said: LOL! I'd buy it in a heartbeat if I was CERTAIN it would work with my CDI head. I've gotten mixed messages as to if I can replace a KX-155 with a KX-165 without issue. Too chicken to chance it! easy to answer that. Ask for the exact part number of the KX-165 and check what indicator you have. The install manual of the KX-155/165 is easy to find online 2
tls pilot Posted September 10 Report Posted September 10 On 9/8/2025 at 5:50 AM, Scott Ashton said: My KX165 is with Ed at kx155.com right now. I will give a pirep when it gets back to me this week. i went through all of these iterations (KX200 vs new Garmin navcom, etc) on what to do with my number two radio, and in the end this simple radio went 40 years trouble free so I figured for less than $3K for a refurb, it was worth a shot. Scott Did you speak with someone at kx155.com? what is the downtown and cost?
Scott Ashton Posted September 10 Report Posted September 10 1 hour ago, tls pilot said: Scott Did you speak with someone at kx155.com? what is the downtown and cost? The radio left my shop in FL on the 25th of August via FedEx and it will be here on Monday the 15th. It was in his hands no more than 10 days - including a holiday for labor day. Yesterday he sent me a video of the functional test, replaced the screen, powder coated the faceplate, it looks brand new! Cant wait to get it back in the plane! $2,500.00 2 2
hammdo Posted Wednesday at 08:35 PM Report Posted Wednesday at 08:35 PM Ed did my kx155 a few years ago - and same thing - looked new and sent me a video of the testing. 2
Fly Boomer Posted Wednesday at 11:57 PM Report Posted Wednesday at 11:57 PM 4 hours ago, Scott Ashton said: The radio left my shop in FL on the 25th of August via FedEx and it will be here on Monday the 15th. It was in his hands no more than 10 days - including a holiday for labor day. Yesterday he sent me a video of the functional test, replaced the screen, powder coated the faceplate, it looks brand new! Cant wait to get it back in the plane! $2,500.00 And all you do is push it back into the panel. I don't see how anyone could get a better deal. 3
carusoam Posted 20 hours ago Report Posted 20 hours ago On 9/9/2025 at 9:55 PM, LANCECASPER said: I think the built-in CDI function didn't come out until the KX165A somewhere in the 2nd half of the 1990's. I believe the KX-165 just had the current radial feature. Great details Lance! thanks for the memory bump! in the non-gps environment… that radio was way cool! best regards, -a- 1
MikeOH Posted 18 hours ago Report Posted 18 hours ago I find that even in the GPS environment that radio is way cool!
LANCECASPER Posted 18 hours ago Report Posted 18 hours ago 19 minutes ago, MikeOH said: I find that even in the GPS environment that radio is way cool! https://www.seaerospace.com/faqs/314#:~:text=Will the KX-155A%2F165A,A radios include additional features. 1
Igor_U Posted 3 hours ago Report Posted 3 hours ago On 9/10/2025 at 12:44 PM, Scott Ashton said: The radio left my shop in FL on the 25th of August via FedEx and it will be here on Monday the 15th. It was in his hands no more than 10 days - including a holiday for labor day. Yesterday he sent me a video of the functional test, replaced the screen, powder coated the faceplate, it looks brand new! Cant wait to get it back in the plane! $2,500.00 Where is the shop located? Are we talking about www.kx-155.com or www.kx155.com (and https://www.kx155display.com/) that it's really Tampco Avionics band it looks to me it's in Belize and are selling display kits.
MikeOH Posted 40 minutes ago Report Posted 40 minutes ago 2 hours ago, Igor_U said: Where is the shop located? Are we talking about www.kx-155.com or www.kx155.com (and https://www.kx155display.com/) that it's really Tampco Avionics band it looks to me it's in Belize and are selling display kits. Ed, of KX-155.com, is in Lucerne Valley, California.
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