Hello,

New to aircraft ownership, so bear with me. I have a C182B with a KI-201 CDI connected to a KX-170B nav/comm radio. Unfortunately the OBS knob on the KI-201 seems to be stripped and just turns freely without moving the course selector on the CDI. I have read that this could be due to the use of nylon gears in the KI-201 and that it may be beyond economical repair, if I could even find anyone that would bother to do it (the avionics shop here can't seem to be bothered to do anything for less than $750).

My question is, if I were to find an operable KI-208, what would be involved in the replacement aside from mounting in in the panel?

Would wiring/harness connectors be compatible? Is there a calibration that must occur to be legal? Can an A&P/IA supervise this or must it be done by an avionics repair station? Again, apologies for my ignorance.

Thanks in advance. The aircraft also has a KX-155 and with a KI-209 so this is just the backup, I'm not looking to break the bank but a backup nav is nice to have even with a GPS.

Thanks in advance.

While simple in concept and execution, it is naturally more complicated in an airplane. The connectors are not the same, so the new connector must be crimped or spliced in. Since you are swapping out equipment, it must be signed off by either an IA or a Repair Station with a 337 form filed. This part is what makes it complicated and pricey. The regs make even the simplest avionics change a challenge. Then again, I have seen some fairly cringeworthy attempts at it over the years. Some people should stick to gardening and stay away from airplanes.

I think I have a few 201s on the shelf if you want to swap it out.