Microair Radios
Microair M760 Transceiver
This is one of the world's smallest panel mount VHF aircraft
radios. Ideal for use in sailplanes, ultralights and homebuilt aircraft.
The M760 has 25 memory channels, scan and flip flop. Fits in 57mm panel
hole. |
Microair 760 Aircraft Transceiver and Boom Microphone
The Microair 760 is a new Australian aircraft radio designed to mount
in a small (57 mm) instrument hole. The radio is similar in style to the
German made Becker and Dittel, and it is pinned much the same as the Dittel
FSG71M.
The Microair 760 has many extra features which are ideal for glider
installation. These include scanner, one touch priority gaggle frequency
and stuck mike warning, and yet it costs considerably less than the German
equivalent. The Microair achieves extremely low battery consumption
(<90ma) and because it uses surface mount components it is shorter in
depth than other radios so it fits almost anywhere, for example in an ASH
25 panel.
The designer and builder of this radio is Nigel Andrews, who has asked
me to market the radios to the gliding fraternity. I have been involved
with glider radio installations in Australia since the mid seventies, selling
many Genave and Radair units. McPhee Aviation now manufactures the
boom
mike for the Microair, which is marketed under the Mikrosmart badge.
The microphone has evolved to be the best available for gliding. It uses
a longer (45 cm) and more rigid boom which has been reinforced at the base.
The microphone has dual foam mufflers which considerably reduce wind noise
- particularly if the side window is open.
The pricing of radio is listed below and all I ask overseas customers
to do is organise overseas cheque payable to me in US dollars, or alternatively
by direct bank transfer (sometimes called Swift). On receipt of the money
I will mail the microphone, the harness and manual. If I have stock then
I will send the radio immediately, but delivery usually takes up to 3 weeks,
depending on supply. The package will include a special note about the
radio. The radio will be fully insured, but phone or fax me about the invoice
and VAT/GST/MwSt arrangements.
Prices below
Noteworthy features of Microair 760 radio:
Computer internals
for simplicity. Unit should be available in the new 8.33 KHz being introduced
in central Europe, and an inexpensive software upgrade will be available.
A 25 channel
memory with scanning - great for competitions to find out what other pilots
are doing!
One touch
gaggle frequency switch - great safety feature.
Transmissions
exceeding 30 seconds cause an LED to blink red indicating possible jammed
microphone.
External memory
toggle switch for rear seat of a 2 seater.
Adjustable
squelch which was on the USA radios but not the German radios.
Built-in sidetone
intercom with either PTT or hot mike option for motor gliders and tow-planes.
Low battery
consumption (<90ma).
The radio is now certified in USA, but not as yet in the EU due to problems
with vested interests.
Over 900 radios have been sold world-wide in 18 months, plus 370 microphones.
Another radio may be needed for the 8.33 MHZ channel spacing and price
may reflect the cost of certification in EU, and Germany in particular.
Rick Sheppe (Cambridge software man ph 802 333 9992 f 099 email:rws@sover.net)
in Vermont has the earlier model while Derick Westwood (p/f 1530 416759)
of UK has the latest model in his LS8. Andy Davis (p/f +44 1 453 860945)
of UK has one in his new Discus II and bought a second one for a syndicate
Duo Discus.
Andy had trouble with dull display and I had a friend deliver a new
radio a week later to Nymphsfield. Insured economy air from Australia is
inexpensive and is an 8 day service. McPhee Aviation should have an exchange
radio in the UK for summer 2000.
The radios did have a few glitches in the early days - a capacitor in
reverse which in time caused the display to fade, and a set-up problem
with the transmitter on about 25 % of the radios and especially those used
in 2 seaters - but these minor problems have all been cured, and in 1999
no faults have occurred. Please ask a user what they think!
McPhee Aviation has sold over 100 of these radios and we can assure
you it is a very good unit.
Microair T2000 Transponder
This TSO'd Transponder is one of the world's smallest and lightest
of its kind, weighing in at 600 gm.
The T2000SFL has very low power consumption and many new innovative
safety features only found in much larger and expensive Transponders.
www.microair.com.au
Prices
T2000 A$2530 + mode C $528 + Harness
Price M760 transceiver $1281.50
Basic gliding harness $A50
Flexible Boom Mic $93.50
C&K Quality PTT Switch $8
Microphone Jack $9
Enclosed Speaker $22
C&K PTT switch $9
Prices in Australian dollars |
All prices in Australian currency
Click for conversion
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