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Linda, #7 Aircraft and cars that are called 12 volt are really more complex. While the battery voltage may be 12 volt when the system is off, the regulator normally controls the voltage to be around 13.6 when the vehicle is running and the generator or alternator is giving full output. This charges the battery and it's the optimal voltage for the electronics. (Experts please adjust any misstatements.) #5 & #6. You won't be able to tell any difference between 6 and 10 watts output power. It's there, but it's not so important. The difference between 1.5 and 6 is more than four times and that really shows up. In addition, many of the 1.5 watt transmitters are old (unless they're a handheld) and may produce less power than when new. I've had air-to-air conversations of 125 miles with my 1.5 watt transmitter using an external, aircraft mounted antenna. I've also had problems talking 2-8 miles with Unicom when tracking straight toward the airport due to the airframe shielding the weak signal (the antenna was mounted on the top of the tailcone, just behind the canopy. If I were buying a new panel mount, I'd want 6-10 watts output power. Ah, but is the listed power peak effective power or rms power? Companies usually advertise peak because it's a much bigger number. Experts please comment. I'd guess you web browse the specification pages for a bunch of radios and compare the output power ratings. #1 How many channels does your current radio have? You can check quickly or you may already know. Does the frequency have .x5 only or does it also have .x25 as well as .x5 frequencies? If it has the .x25 frequencies, it's at least a 720 channel radio. It is mandatory (and a very good idea in your area) to have a 720 or 760 channel radio. http://www.swaviator.com/html/issueFM00/avionicsFM00.html Ed Burkhead http://edburkhead.com ed -at- edburkhead???.com (change -at- to @ and remove "???") ============================================================================== To leave this forum go to: http://ercoupers.com/lists.htm
