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28 Mar 2024, 18:47 [ UTC - 5; DST ]


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 Post subject: Just bought my first airplane - a 1978 A36
PostPosted: 07 Apr 2022, 11:47 
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Joined: 11/16/21
Posts: 2
Aircraft: Bonanza A36
Hi y'all!
My name is Alex, and I just bought a lovely 1978 A36 with only a little over 2600 hrs on it - N4625M. I absolutely love it! However, it does need a new audio panel, as the original one makes understanding ATC quite challenging... Does anyone know of a good avionics shop on the West Coast (I'm in Northern California)? What is the going shop rate for avionics shops these days? After some research, I have decided on the PS Engineering 450B audio panel. How many hours does the installation typically take (taking out an old Collins AMR-350 and a Sigtronics Intercom SPA-400)? Would an A&P mechanic be able to install this? If so, does anyone have recommendations for good mechanics in the North Bay area?
Thanks for your help!
Alex


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 Post subject: Re: Just bought my first airplane - a 1978 A36
PostPosted: 07 Apr 2022, 11:55 
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Joined: 11/20/14
Posts: 6451
Post Likes: +4520
Aircraft: V35
An audio panel connects to everything else, so it can be expensive to do as a one-off. Are you sure the problem is in the audio panel and not (for example) old wiring between the radio and the antenna? Or in the radio itself? Or a bad antenna? It might take some troubleshooting by a good shop to find the issue.


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 Post subject: Re: Just bought my first airplane - a 1978 A36
PostPosted: 07 Apr 2022, 11:58 
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Joined: 11/20/14
Posts: 6451
Post Likes: +4520
Aircraft: V35
If I were spending someone else's money....

Delete the KX155 and the radar unit; put in a GTN750xi on top and the GNS430 as the backup radio. Then put the remote audio panel in the slot behind the 750Xi where it's designed to fit. Voila, top-of-the-line modern stack.


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 Post subject: Re: Just bought my first airplane - a 1978 A36
PostPosted: 07 Apr 2022, 12:04 
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Joined: 05/13/14
Posts: 8308
Post Likes: +6508
Location: Central Texas (KTPL)
Aircraft: PA-46-310P
I also have a '78 A36, and the very first upgrade I did was an audio panel. I went with the PSE 8000BT, but the 450 is obviously superior. Expect around 30 hours of labor.

But I doubt your comm problems are solved by the audio panel.

Congrats and welcome.


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 Post subject: Re: Just bought my first airplane - a 1978 A36
PostPosted: 07 Apr 2022, 13:15 
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Joined: 11/16/21
Posts: 2
Aircraft: Bonanza A36
Thank you for your replies!
Jesse, that's the plan eventually - but I don't have the money right now to get the GTN-750xi...
The seller told me that the audio got worse after installing the GTX-345. So, it's very possible that there is just some interference from the antenna or some wiring that wasn't shielded properly. But the audio is terrible even between pilot and co-pilot...


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 Post subject: Re: Just bought my first airplane - a 1978 A36
PostPosted: 07 Apr 2022, 15:46 
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Joined: 06/18/12
Posts: 8710
Post Likes: +6418
Company: Gallagher Aviation LLC
Location: Cincinnati, OH (I69)
Aircraft: 1960 Bonanza M35
Hi Alex,

Welcome to BT! Contact Chase at Avionics Source for a PMA450B

https://avionicssource.com/ <-- Website
202-726-0088 <-- Phone

_________________
Sales: 833-425-5288
gallagheraviationllc@gmail.com
www.gallagheraviationllc.com - WAT Dealer


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 Post subject: Re: Just bought my first airplane - a 1978 A36
PostPosted: 07 Apr 2022, 16:56 
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Joined: 11/02/09
Posts: 2680
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Username Protected wrote:
An audio panel connects to everything else, so it can be expensive to do as a one-off. Are you sure the problem is in the audio panel and not (for example) old wiring between the radio and the antenna? Or in the radio itself? Or a bad antenna? It might take some troubleshooting by a good shop to find the issue.



Yep! I got sticker shock the first time I inquired about replacing my audio panel. :bugeye:


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