Garmin GTR-200 GTR-205 non-TSO radios

OK, I've been flying with the GTR200B for over a month now. The intercom is awesome! Calling TWR from 30 miles away with a "radio check" request resulted in the Controller saying "I'd rate it Loud and Clear Plus".

The installation was complicated by deleting a separate intercom wired into the old KY97A com and also removing and replacing a bunch of 50-year-old spaghetti behind the panel. In addition, I had to remove and replace one side of the headliner to replace the ratty RG58 antenna cable with a nice new RG400 cable. I did the installation and my IA signed it off with no objections.

I owe a HUGE debt of thanks to Bob Turner for literally making this possible!!!
 
Just got a question about compliance:

1.3.4 COM Specifications The GTR 200/200B transmitter meets the requirements of RTCA DO-186B section 2.3 for a class 4 transmitter.

That is from page 1.3 in the Garmin installation manual. The fact that the 200B has a PMA (only for use with an additional Garmin product) is further indication that this thing "meets" all requirements. For a discussion of why "meets" is just as good as "approved." see above, specifically with respect to transponders.

If you really want to use this radio and your IA won't sign, consider it a PED.

Finally, while I am at it, a friend bought a 450 Stearman - the engine is capable of 38 1/2" of manifold pressure at 2300 rpm, and will go straight up! My first hour as his instructor indicated that he needed a new intercom, so we slammed the GTR-200 in there. I already had a harness ready, so it took a day.

At full power, with the intercom set at 95% squelch and 65% volume, we can talk to each other on the way up! Open mic! Garmin has figured out how to separate and attenuate engine and prop noise, and indeed slipstream noise, from voice. Understand, the only way this works is with David Clark 10-13.4 headsets, a foam cover over the mic, an Oregon Aero leather sleeve over that, and duct tape over the leather. But talk about intercom performance!

I have a thousand Stearman hours, but this thing is plain old exciting!
 
installed a gtr 200b when streaming music and a radio transmission comes in the music does not mute Am I doing something wrong or is that how it is
 
Did you go into the maintenance area? Let me check . . .

Yeah - see p33 - music mute. You have to set it.
 
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so it seems the GTR-200 has been discontinued. I went to order one for my friends plane, and it has been replaced by the GTR-205. Its a slimmer profile, so thats nice.
 
Try Steinair. He still has a few. The intercom is rumored to be locked out in the 205.
I bought a spare two weeks ago.

For older folks, smaller radios are not always better. I have a difficult time with Beckers, etc.
 
Suit yourself. I am only going by what I was told. It could be that the 205 is a superior radio - the receiver in the 200 had inadequate RF squelch.

I was also told that the intercom in the 205x is enabled. I have no idea what the truth is, but since everything I fly has the 200, it really doesn't affect me.
 
This was from a Super Cub dot org participant:

Bob, that would be a great price on a 200.

Regarding the 205, here is Garmin’s response to this info.
“There are no known issues with the GTR 205x intercom. Is this a GTR 205 or a GTR 205x? The two place intercom is currently only available with the GTR 205x.”

(The 205x is the experimental
 
I didnt have time to elaberate earlier. I'm with you Bob, I'd prefer the 200. I know that it is a fantastic radio.

The owner of the plane is going with dual 275s, plus other fancy stuff. I tried talking him into buying a hold-out 200, but non were available at the local avionics shop that he is going through for his new panel of stuff. Plus, he likes the fancy coloring of the 205. The local shop has been installing the 205 now for several months, and havent had any problems.

I did tell him about the intercom issue.

So we shall see.
 
Most just automatically hook up an external intercom, not realizing the quantum leap forward Garmin made in intercom technology. The Avionics shop insisted on doing the Stearman that way. I re-did it, simplifying the harness by an order of magnitude. I forget what the shop put in - Sigtronics? Their best intercom. Not designed for open cockpit.
 
Finalized the order for my friends cub this week with the avionics shop. They said they might be able to source a 200 if we wanted, but my buddy just went with the 205.

Avionics shop said the certified 205 is the same as the 205X and has all the same features, including intercom. It's just been turned off because it is still awaiting some sort of FAA software test. They expect the intercom to be featured soon.
 
Anxious to hear if the 205 has a better RF squelch. That is really the only flaw in the 200.

Difficult to believe they have not yet hooked up the intercom. No longer rocket science.
 
This radio is not simple. I just checked the installation manual, and it shows a connector with half again as many pins - three rows.

Glad I stocked up on the 200 - I can install one of those in a day if the mechanical part is not too complicated.

I am getting old and crotchety - I have little time for things that used to be simple and are now complicated. I have sort of mastered the GTN 750, and actually coupled up a few ILS approaches. I can reliably retrieve frequencies when the owner puts his finger in the wrong spot, etc. But I shudder when I think of single pilot operations with these things. Give me an ILS frequency, and a way to get there if I poke the wrong button at midnight with ice on the wings and a screaming kid in the back.

I am hearing that flight is impossible without either Garmin Pilot or Foreflight. Gone are the days when one could simply use a compass and a watch. (by the way, that's the way I came home from Denver last month - forgot to take the GPS to the hotel for re-charge, so just turned it off unless I wanted a magic update.).
 
I used my cellphone today in absence of anything else, put in destination and watched the arrow move for a few minutes until I had a good heading. Checked a couple more times enroute to adjust by a couple of points.
 
Recently had a problem - screeching on transmit at the higher frequencies. Swapped radios, then a new antenna cable, new headset . . .

Put my portable setup in and flew with existing antenna and cable - no problem. Only thing left was the harness, so I made a new one and installed it. Symptoms came back.

I think I have traced it to an insulator failure between a headset jack and the airframe. I just pulled the jacks out of the panel and tested while they were hanging - problem gone.

So - the clue is transmit side tones. If it sounds like you are talking inside a tin can, check to make sure the jacks are insulated from the aluminum panel. Shielding only works when one end is open, the other grounded.
 
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