Oh dear, Nimbus! This statement shows where your true priorities lie:
Quote: "And it is more important to maintain a workable supply to the Radio/Logger/GPS at the end of a flying day, than fit additional instrumentation, when there are procedures in place mitigating the need for it (calling on 130.4)"
You appear to completely underestimate the danger of relying on a little used frequency to provide separation from GA in cloud. You are flying with little or no protection from GA. You haven't said where you fly from, but I suggest you speak to a controller at a busy unit such as Coventry and ask their view.
I spent last Sunday and the last three days of this week flying around southern and central UK. Each day our TCAS screen was extremely busy with GA aircraft flying VMC / IMC at MSA up to FL55, as were we. I would think that not ONE of them was on the frequency you insist on relying on for your safety.
I did listen out on 130.4 when I could, which wasn't often due to both radios being in use for ATC frequencies. As far as I am concerned, it's not viable for us to do so. I proved to myself (and my bemused colleague) that we simply cannot leave 130.4 dialled up due to ATC requirements. Unfortunately the chances are that we will therefore miss a relevant call from a glider (I never heard ONE glider call on 130.4 or any other frequency, btw).
I wish you safe and lucky flying
And myself
