IFD 540 Com radios

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   Hi there, I’m new to the forum, and after speaking with Tech Support yesterday, it was suggested that I discuss this subject here to get any feedback/interest. I am currently restoring a Piper Comanche, and have decided to use the IFD 540 as the Nav portion of my new panel. However, I won’t be using any VOR Nav radios in this panel, as I want to bring it into the 21st century. I prefer to use GPS navigation and approaches. I find it a bit dated for designers and manufacturers of modern avionics to not make an option to eliminate the Nav radios in their equipment. So, I asked Tech Support if it would be possible to reconfigure the radio portion of the 540 to include 2 Com radios. (Vs. 1 Com, 1 Nav). Tech seemed very interested in this idea, and wanted me to bring up this idea here.
Apparently, Marketing and Engineering monitor this site and often use ideas presented here in their designs. 
What are your thoughts on this?

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Warriorgreg Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 30 Jan 2019 Location: Clearwater, Fl Status: Offline Points: 2	Post Options Post Reply Quote Warriorgreg Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: IFD 540 Com radios Posted: 31 Jan 2019 at 5:12pm
	Hi there, I’m new to the forum, and after speaking with Tech Support yesterday, it was suggested that I discuss this subject here to get any feedback/interest. I am currently restoring a Piper Comanche, and have decided to use the IFD 540 as the Nav portion of my new panel. However, I won’t be using any VOR Nav radios in this panel, as I want to bring it into the 21st century. I prefer to use GPS navigation and approaches. I find it a bit dated for designers and manufacturers of modern avionics to not make an option to eliminate the Nav radios in their equipment. So, I asked Tech Support if it would be possible to reconfigure the radio portion of the 540 to include 2 Com radios. (Vs. 1 Com, 1 Nav). Tech seemed very interested in this idea, and wanted me to bring up this idea here. Apparently, Marketing and Engineering monitor this site and often use ideas presented here in their designs. What are your thoughts on this?

vcollazo Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 24 Jan 2017 Status: Offline Points: 29	Post Options Post Reply Quote vcollazo Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 17 Mar 2019 at 3:23pm
	GPS is quite easy to jam and a strong solar storm could take out satellites. When flying IFR it would not be a good idea to have GPS only. This would be especially true if you have widespread low IFR conditions and you don't have an ILS. I suppose if you were comfortable and proficient with a PAR and had a suitable military facility in range it might not be so risky. If your intent is to only fly VFR then I would think that your idea would be OK.
	vcollazo