Radio Tray Lock

[flyguy]

Trying to remove my radio. It is a generic "modern" com radio. It is mounted in a tray of sorts and it is pretty obvious that the rack/tray cannot be removed until the radio comes out first.

There is what looks like a small locking finger/tab/thingy that extends through a small cutout in the bottom of the tray near the front of the radio. Looks like it could be a catch, but it doesn't want to compress, slide, move, etc whatever I try.

I have a good view of the radio and tray all around, and there doesn't appear to be anything else that is holding the radio in place.

Any and all information and or suggestions appreciated.

Darryl

[woodmw]

Re: Radio Tray Lock

The King radios in my Mooney had a small hole, about 1/8 inch dia, that housed an allen head screw. Turning the screw rotated the tab that fit in the slot in the tray. Any hole that you might use a small allen or screwdriver?

[flyguy]

Re: Radio Tray Lock

I was looking for that, but I didn't do a real close check with a light. There are some recessed status LEDs at the bottom, but maybe one is a small allen screw--makes sense in light of no other visible options. I'll look closer- thanks.
DC

[flyguy]

Re: Radio Tray Lock

Bingo. That was it. Man I must have been tired yesterday afternoon. The other recessed holes are for tweaking frequencies. Truthfully I hadn't ever paid much attention to the darn thing. It's mounted practically on the floorboard and that is why I am moving it.

Before it was, "Radio? oh yeah, I just press the button and talk; everyone says it sounds good." LOL

The wiring was a rat's nest that I had made a little neater, but when I really dug into it I found such a mess that I just pulled the radio, rack, wiring and everything out and brought it home. Now I have to get some info on the radio as there are several "extra" wires that don't make much sense.

And I thought I would just shift it up higher, clean up the wiring, and get back to flying. Silly me.

Darryl

[flyguy]

Re: Radio Tray Lock

I just went online to the TKM radio site and downloaded the maintenance manual for the MX-11 radio as above, including installation instructions and hookup drawing.

I really, really, LOVE the Internet.

Extra wire was just that, 24V, not used. To quote our famous X-Governor, "No ProblemO."

The radio looks pretty impressive from the schematics, but the way the antenna cable is connected per the factory instructions/drawing is pure caveman tech. Cheesh, that is plain embarrassing. If that is state-of-the-art, no wonder you can't hear half the guys in the pattern. Must be a better way.

DC

[flyguy]

Re: Radio Tray Lock

Finished moving my panel radio. As I said before, wiring was a mess, so that I had to completely redo that.

Took out the nav, running lights and strobe switches and tied off the leads. Twelve volt power to radio only now; simple.
Moved the radio up on the panel and tilted the face up. Now I can see all of the display numbers and the knobs are in a better location. Antenna hookup much better and cable tied down solid.

We have been socked in solid for a two weeks or so here with "valley" fog so there has been no one in the pattern to do a radio check, but the receiver picks up the AWOS loud and clear. Always a worry when you mess with electronics gear that static electricity or a wrong hook up will turn the thing into a $500 repair bill.

Will have to get friend to check with portable, but it has started raining today. Early week should be clear. We had beautiful winter weather here for the last 3 years with little fog in between rain storms. Guess you have to take the good with the bad with weather like everything else.

Looking forward to some pro-fess-ional com-mun-i-cating with the big boys now. Chuckle

DC