Overhead Radio Speaker

[170C]

George or others, looking at the posts on speakers I didn't see a specific size that should be installed on C-170's (or my 172). I removed mine today as it is shot & it measures approx. 5" X 7". I don't have my parts book here at the house & it may not specify the size anyway. I checked @ Fry's in Arlington & called Radio Shack to no avail---well Fry's did have one for a sound system for about $50.00 & they are less expensive from Chief or Aircraft Spruce. What size, 4 U speaker should I purchase from one of these suppliers?

[Bruce Fenstermacher]

So Frank you missed all the posts about having your speaker rebuilt did you. Do a search for speaker rebuilding here and on the web. You will find it doesn't cost much and you will get your speaker back and it will fit and mount correctly. A replacement likely will need some modification to the mounting.

[blueldr]

Speaker shot? Get it re-coned. Usually far cheaper than a replacement, and it will fit.

[170C]

Yes Bruce, I remember the posts regarding redoing the existing speaker. I don't think my speaker is the original because the mount is an obviously field built mount. The "material" isn't torn, but the guy who is doing some avionics work & electrical upgrading for me tested it and said it was defective. We couldn't get it to work. I notice a QUAM speaker in the 2009 Chief catalogue is around $20.00, but wanted to put the correct size back in. I only have the speaker in case my head sets quit in flight because I probably couldn't hear the speaker very well (noisy cabin). My speaker hasn't worked in 20 yrs.

[jrenwick]

Better not to think about using consumer products -- some of them have much more powerful magnets than an aircraft speaker, which will disturb your magnetic compass.

[Bruce Fenstermacher]

Glad you remembered those posts. I was thinking wasn't it you that started them.

Any way besides getting the correct ohm speaker (4 ohm I think) and the possible stronger magnet issue John points out any speaker that will mount with your mounting method should work.

FYI most of the speaker rebuilders I found on the web also rebuilt the electromagnetic coil as well so a dead speaker such as yours is still rebuildable. Just in case you didn't want to reinvent your mounting method, worry about a stronger magnetic field or finding the correct ohm speaker.

BTW my airplane has no speaker or spare mic. I always have another headset in the aircraft in case mysteriously the one I'm wearing fails. Of course I suppose that sudden break could come at the headset jack receptacle in which case no headset would work. Then I guess I'd play like I'm flying my Cub and go NODAR. Yes I'm living on the edge.

[170C]

Thanks for the input guys And Bruce, we all know you guys flying those whirlybirds are living on the edge. Just don't fall off

[GAHorn]

... I guess I'd play like I'm flying my Cub and go NODAR. Yes I'm living on the edge.

Besides the unusual matter of losing your radar's capability to operate your speaker...you'd also be NORDO!

[Bruce Fenstermacher]

... I guess I'd play like I'm flying my Cub and go NODAR. Yes I'm living on the edge.

Besides the unusual matter of losing your radar's capability to operate your speaker...you'd also be NORDO!

It was obvious I'd be NORDO George, I was making sure everyone knew I'd be NODAR as well.

[Bruce Fenstermacher]

BTW NODAR stands for NO Dumb Ass Radio. This was for the benefit of my friends in LA.