MGL V6 radio

[wypaul 464]

Warning this is a sour grape post.

i purchased a new MGL V6 radio about a year and a half ago to replace an older one that was having some issues, first mistake. The radio had issues from the start.  It would cutout after 3-6 seconds.  ACS WOULD NOT STAND BEHIND IT said contact MGL. WHEN I sent it in they said someone had been inside trying to make repairs,no it’s a new radio.  I contacted ACS to see if the radio was a return, nope was their answer. Radio returned after repairs.  Same issues returned for repair or replacement they sent it back saying repair made but dang it no joy.  Finally pulled out the junker and bought a Trig radio to replace it.

Needless to say I will not purchase another MGL produce because I found out that they cannot be relied upon to stand behind their products.

anyone want a good deal on a worthless V6?  Guess I will just use it for target practice.

[1avidflyer 2063]

Bummer,  I have the V6 in both of my Kitfox 4s.  Haven't flown with the one in the new Kitfox yet, but they seemed to work good for me.  I have a friend of mine who is into electronics.  Wonder if he could do anything with it.... JImChuk

[wypaul 464]

Yes I think that mine was a lemon but they just were unwilling to make it right.

[AvidJack 37]

 

MGL has gone through a few transitions recently, but the new dealer seems willing to work with you.  I'd purchased the MGL FF-1 fuel computer back when, and *finally* installed it in the kitfox.  All of the docs say that it will work with a capacitive fuel sender, so I'd bought one of those too, back when.  Obviously, they are somewhat out of warranty.  I spent way too much time trying to get them to work together, and finally sent a question through the new NA dealer's (Legit Avionics) "contact us" website form. I got their website from the referral from the old MGL site, telling us it's been fun, but..

Much to my surprise, I received a response from the owner- asking for more details.  He'd never seen the insides of the FF-1, so I pulled it apart and sent pictures.  He figured there were 1K pull-up resistors that needed to be removed, and we identified them as R35 and R38.  Before we went any further, he took the time to contact the original designer, and the designer verified that those two resistors would have to come off to work with a capacitive sender (!).  The later models have dip switches to disable the resistors, but.. Evan at legit even offered to have me send it in, and he'd remove the resistors.  I've done a lot of board work, and hate surface mount work (danged fleas..), but managed to pull one resistor (only one pickup) and leave the other, just in case.  And, I'm in business.  I don't know how Evan at Legit could have been more helpful.

If your radio cuts out after a few seconds of broadcast.. have you checked the SWR?  Some are pretty good at protecting the output by shutting down.. A quick test might be trying it with a 50 ohm dummy load instead of the antenna?

Jack

[wypaul 464]

Good to hear about the new dealer.  Yes I had the avionics shop check that and they said it was fine.

The Trig works great and was easy to set the perimeters unlike the MGL.