Why 2 Comm Radios?

[RudiGreyling]

Hi RVators,

I've been thinking really hard what redundancy I need in my RV10 for IFR operatinos.

I'm finding it hard to justify 2 Comm Radios, BUT I am not a IFR pilot yet, and I don't know what I don't know yet! So I am reaching out to the guys in the know and the experience...

I'm thinking to invest in redundancy that help you FLY the airplane, so redundant instrumentation that gives airplane orientation and positioning away from high terrain.

SO Why 2 Comms? if you get a Comm failure during IFR it is not life threatening? the plane is still flying right and I can keep it the right side up and pointing in the correct direction?

I currently fly a VFR RV7 behind a Garmin SL40 Radio. The Standby Frequency and Monitor Listening into 2nd channel is very convenient on the SL40. For the RV10 I'm thinking a Garmin 430W (or 530) as the center piece for IFR. PS: Does the 4/530 have "Monitor" functionality to listen into the 2nd channel?

Your comments appreciated.

[aaronboulais]

Hey Rudi,

The 430 or 530 do not have a monitor function for the comm. I believe the only radios that have that feature are the SL 30, SL 40, and the ICOM IC-A210.

[tinman]

Carry a hand-held within your reach...just in case.

[pierre smith]

...I currently have an SL-30 in my -10 but I just ordered a 430W and the SL30 is staying.

I've had radio failures and a handheld didn't cut it because the range was so short. If you intend to get instrument rated and fly solid IMC as I will, a good, second radio like the SL40 is hard to beat. Imagine a scenario where you're IFR, on top, over the Drakensberg mountains, near dark and your radio goes belly up. That's the sort of scenario when these things usually happen and besides, an SL-40 is such a small percentage of the overall cost, it's very affordable. Quite a few guys replace their SL-40's with SL-30's, so a good used one could easily be found discounted.

Best,

[boom3]

IFR is all about being ahead of the game and you'll use your radios a lot. The more frequencies you can have preloaded, the easier it makes things.

Redundancy is important too.

[Crossbow]

Originally Posted by RudiGreyling

Hi RVators,

I've been thinking really hard what redundancy I need in my RV10 for IFR operatinos.

I'm finding it hard to justify 2 Comm Radios, BUT I am not a IFR pilot yet, and I don't know what I don't know yet! So I am reaching out to the guys in the know and the experience...

I'm thinking to invest in redundancy that help you FLY the airplane, so redundant instrumentation that gives airplane orientation and positioning away from high terrain.

SO Why 2 Comms? if you get a Comm failure during IFR it is not life threatening? the plane is still flying right and I can keep it the right side up and pointing in the correct direction?

I currently fly a VFR RV7 behind a Garmin SL40 Radio. The Standby Frequency and Monitor Listening into 2nd channel is very convenient on the SL40. For the RV10 I'm thinking a Garmin 430W (or 530) as the center piece for IFR. PS: Does the 4/530 have "Monitor" functionality to listen into the 2nd channel?

Your comments appreciated.

The reason why there are often two communications radios is in case one fails, then you will have a backup that you can easily switch to.

Of course, since it is your plane, it is your decision, but if I were you I would make provisions for an extra radio. Now then, this may never happen to you, but I had a bit of a scare about a year ago due to a failed radio, but fortunately since there was a second radio, the incident turned out to be nothing more than a bit of a scare. However, since radios are not that expensive, not that power hungry, and not that heavy, I think that an extra radio is well worth the investment.

Either a panel mounted radio (and the RV-10 has plenty of room for an extra panel radio), or a hand-held radio that you can easily access from the front, left seat would be adequate.

As for me, I am working on an RV-8 and my back-up radio will be a hand-held unit and there will be a antenna jack on the panel that can be used by the hand-held unit.

And sorry, but I do not have enough experience with the 430 and 530 units to answer your specific questions about them.

In any event, I hope this helps all the same.

[zzapp]

Originally Posted by boom3

IFR is all about being ahead of the game and you'll use your radios a lot. The more frequencies you can have preloaded, the easier it makes things.

Redundancy is important too.

Here Here. It's always nice to have ATIS, Clearance delivery. Ground, And Tower dialed in so you can sound like a player at a busy airport.
In my case when learning it eliminated the need to keep a kneeboard log of frequencys. In the days of 1 radio and no flip flop when you tuned the radio you were off freq. Could be a handful when hand flying IMC and couldn't get to the next hand off. The second radio always kept you connected to somebody.

[Nick]

As said earlier, IFR is all about being ahead of the game. That being said adding a SL-30 let's you check ATIS, contact FSS, x-check VOR/ILS, and a slew of other things that really will help in the real world.

You "can" fly IFR with only the 430, but you'll love the virsitility that a second NAV/COM offers.

[Mel]

As others have said, It's all about staying ahead of the game.
I fly strictly VFR. I have 2 comms. I flew for years with one and never had a problem. I installed a second and now can't imagine flying with one. It's just so convenient.

I fly a lot very close to Class B airspace. I can monitor ATC and still talk to others. When going cross country, #2 stays on 121.5.

BTW the XCOM monitors the standby frequency and I'm sure there are others too.

[apkp777]

I am IFR rated and plan to fly enroute IFR with my single SL30. My list of upgrades after I get flying is growing and a SL40 is on the short list. Perhaps Dynon will have their comm feature added to SkyView by then. They say it'll be a year (I am not holding my breath).

Bottom line, install what you can afford. A second comm is great, but you can easily install a second later.