My KR came from the factory (Ken Cottle and Steve Bennett) with a side-mounted ICOM IC-A5 handheld. The external antenna connects to a linear amplifier installed below the hat shelf and draws power from a cigarette lighter adapter. With its tiny size, built-in battery back-up, and lighted keyboard it's been the perfect radio.
I used a Peltor headset in this KR initially since the Peltor headband is flatter than any other of the clamp-ons. My head/canopy clearance is about zero. I found something even better though. The HALO headset requires no power, is as quiet as the ANR's, is so light you forget you have them on, has a high-quality noise-cancelling mic, and requires no head clearance at all and for pilots with hair, it doesn't muss it up. Here's a review: http://fixedwingbuddha.com/quiet-technologies-halo-ear-headset-review/ If the link is broken just take out the space. I carry a larger ICOM with the VOR function as a spare but have never had need to use it. When the SP400 came out I was lured by the ILS function and was thinking to replace the A5 but Sporty's wanted a ridiculous amount of money for the DC power and headset adapters, etc. I also was reading, despite Aviation Consumer's review that it was "better than a panel mount", that many buyers were having quality control issues and that the screen was impossible to see. I see Sporty's has combined the accessories into one hundred dollar package and that screen contrast has been improved so it looks like a better deal now. Mike KSEE ____________________________________________________________ What's your flood risk? Find flood maps, interactive tools, FAQs, and agents in your area. http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL3141/54ff3d23798bd3d235445st03vuc
