Trying to keep it simple and functional on the recently acquired green machine. Started by removing the green overlay panels.

Congrats on the 601B, Joseph! Nice little rocket, that. Knew it was with Don in Alabama for awhile, so good to see it getting a new home.

Joe,

Are you sure you want to remove the radar?

Nice as Data Link weather is, there are times when there is no substitute for real-time information.

Move the Audio panel over to the left panel (into the space to be vacated by the ADF), and you should have plenty of room for the IFD540. I had to move my audio panel to the left side, it was fairly simple, they made up an extension cable that connected to the existing plug, and went from the center position to the left side, the existing wiring remained in place. If I ever decided to move it back, the plug is still there.

Looking forward to seeing more pictures.

I agree with Forrest. If you have radar keep it. Nothing better than real data when the weather turns against you.

The plan for the radar to come out is based on the following:
1 Don't plan on doing any flying around cruddy weather or icing conditions. I get enough of that at work.
2. Don't want to lug around extra equipment that I will not use.
3. It doesn't work and the display needs to be replaced.
The display powers up, but there is no sweep. I though about replacing the display with an EX600, but I think I'd rather have a second 540. Also, I would like to keep the avionics in the middle stack as my son is planning to learn to fly this summer. I would like to have everything accessible from either seat.

Joseph,
I installed a IFD540 and EX600 this summer, and found it to be an awesome setup. The resolution on the EX600 is so good, I usually use it for the map and have the flight plan or (legs) displayed on the 540 as it is much more of an FMS than other GA GPS's. You will be amazed at how easy it is to load a flight plan in the 540.
Cheers, Doug

Doug.

Thanks. Good info. Was wondering how the 540 600 combo would be. Do you have your radar displayed on your 600? Do you think it might have been better to just get a 2nd 540 as the cost is about the same as the 600?

This is my second 540. I had one in my Bonanza. I was sold on the 540 already so bought the 2nd for my Aerostar before I even bought the plane. Goldcoast had a smoking deal running on the 540/AXP 340 transponder combo. Will be installing the txpdr in phase II.

Tossing the radar will likely reduce a couple of things in the future.
a) resale value
b) number of buyers

Of course offsetting that is today's saving by not repairing, and removing the radar. Be sure to weigh these in your mind. Most people I see wanting this class plane want radar, and avoid the very few planes which have had them removed.

You should consider at least defining what repair cost is by sending the entire unit to a good radar shop. I know people, and have myself, used Texas AvRad with good results.

http://www.txavrad.com/

Don Chapel also runs a radar service. He is a BT member and can be reached with a PM.

IMHO save and put in a GWX70. It is awesome and has saved me a lot of 100LL by being able to precisely navigate around the ugly stuff.

Joseph,
I do have a radar hooked to my EX600. It is a new install RDR-2000 as my Baron never had a radar and I didn't trust uplink radar in the summer where I live in the midwest. That aside I still find the 600 display awesome, and fly around with my 540 displaying the flight plan or (legs) page and have my map displayed on the 600. The 540 can do so much I think a 2nd display that it drives will be more useful to you than a 2nd 540.

Cheers, Doug

That is the info I was looking for. I would like to keep airspace and terrain on the 540 and use the 2nd display for ADS-B in traffic and weather. Are you using the EX600 for ADS-B in as well?

As you can see we haven't pulled the radar yet. I asked Advantage to trouble shoot it when we put the 540 in, and they replied with basically the same info as previously mentioned; send it to Texas. Surprised there isn't someone in SoCal that works on this stuff. I think the plan is to have my local A&P pull the components and send to TX to see if it's worth saving. if it is I may go the 600 route.

Another option is to drop an NGT9000 in there.

Doug,

Sorry to hijack the thread, but I'd like your opinion and perhaps Joseph would as well.

I have an EX500, a 430W and a RDR-150. I also have XM weather piped into the EX500, which is about the most useful thing I've had the pleasure of employing to date.

Like Joseph, I am debating whether to ditch the RDR-150, keep XM weather and upgrade to bigger screen displays like a IFD540 or GTN750. I really don't use the radar and its very old technology that I'm not anxious to spend money to replace or repair.

What made you decide to keep the EX600 display instead of going for another GPS unit? The resolution or features? The ability to drive a radar tilt function on the RDR2000? Compatability with other boxes?

Matt

Funny

We are discussing avionics and have been moved from Panel Talk to Brand X. Isnt really an Aerostar thread. Must have been my thread title.