Radio Rack – Icom IC-A200 and Narco AT155

03 Nov 2004 Radio Rack – Icom IC-A200 and Narco AT155

Both the Narco transponder and the Icom comm radio are long, and the Icom is pretty heavy. The Narco is a bit longer. These guys need some kind of support to keep them from moving around behind the panel.

What I decided to do was use some angle to attach the frames that come with the radios, and then use a bit of strap at an angle to provide some additional support. All the weight of the radios is attached to the panel. This should be strong enough, but I may revisit this if I get some different advice.

I used duct tape to stick the two frames together in the correct fore/aft orientation.

Drilled some holes in the angle and attached it all together with some 6-32 countersunk Torx screws. Unfortunately, this is all my nuts, so I’ve got some more on order from Van’s.

Here you can see a close-up of the torx screws, and also notice the rubber cushion between the two frames. I decided to use this to provide a bit of air space between the devices. I have to assume there will be some heat generated.

Here is a test fit on the panel. All seems ok.

Here are the extra supporting straps that will use to provide a bit of vertical stabilization. I couldn’t bolt these on since I’m out of 6-32 nuts. Nuts.

I’ve drilled the holes that will attach the angle to the panel. I’m not yet sure if I will rivet these, or attach them with screws. Probably screws, but again, I’ve got to wait for the nuts. It’s actually very solid.

Here is the panel in the plane. Looks cool. The problem is that in the bac the Narco comes very close to the Z angle that supports the baggage compartment. It does not quite touch, but I suspect I’ll need to provide some kind of cushion or additional stability.