Using a thermocouple-equipped ûmulti-meter, we sampled temper- ûatures inside radio stacks. Fans reduce temperatures by at least 10 degrees.

When it comes to avionics, heat is a bad thing. Very bad. The greatest single contributor to increased reliability for all modern avionics is to limit the maximum operating temperature of the individual components, particularly when they’re mounted in the close quarters of the typical instrument panel.

It’s no wonder that this school of thought is spelled out in most avionics installation manuals, regardless of the brand. And we agree with the philosophy. As you’ll see from our testing, avionics stacks get darned hot. In many cases, too hot to touch. …