The Cessna 120-140 Association Forum

Anyone know if a KX 165 TSO is a direct replacement for an existing 125?

...best I recall, no -- it's similar in size to the 155, but not a direct replacement for either the 125 or the 155. Bennett Avionics (www.bennettavionics.com) specializes in pre-owned avionics and may be the expert in this area -- might be worth a call/email to them to verify. Mac

Thanks Mac, I think my 125 is dying. Would love to be able to slide something else in its place. Unfortunately it never works that way. I don't like the digital CDI needle on the 125, so anything would be better IMO.

8178 wrote: ↑Sat Jun 23, 2018 12:15 pm Thanks Mac, I think my 125 is dying. Would love to be able to slide something else in its place. Unfortunately it never works that way. I don't like the digital CDI needle on the 125, so anything would be better IMO.

...know what you mean about the CDI -- it's apparently a built in "compromise" vs. a separate CDI "meter". Looking around the net at the used market and the 125 still brings big bucks (relatively), so it apparently remains popular with a lot of folks. If you need repair with quick turnaround, try Sandhills Avionics in Carthage, NC -- Jeff Kraudelt specializes in repair of "older" avionics and does top notch work. Having just changed out a transponder/encoder and moved a comm in my 140 I'm familiar with the hassle (down time and "work") of replacing a unit, but it just could be that you'd find a market for the 125 that would enable an "upgrade" with not much $$ outlay. Mac

Before I remove the unit, I'm going to try replacing the PTT switch. It seems like it could be the problem. It's real scratchy sounding to me, but if you key the mic. several times it clears up somewhat. I have a brand new one I can hard wire in. Would be nice if that was the only problem...

The PTT may help...worth a try. I had a Terra 960 in the 140 for several years -- a great radio for the first several, but it always had a slight "squeal" when the mic was keyed. We totally removed it and reinstalled and had it bench checked & never did find the problem (on my golf cart now ). RE the 125, I noticed that Bennett has it for sale @ $1,995.00 "pre-owned", while Spruce has the current/new model for (get ready!) $4,195.00 to $5,074.00! Yikes! It may be "worth" doing all you can to make it work for you--it's still the same basic navcom . Those of us old enough to have lived with some old "nav OR comm" units (...like the Escort 110) probably still consider a combo like the 125 that will do both at the same time as totally modern and a work of art! Let us know if the PTT makes a difference. Mac