Let’s say plane X has 2 Communication radios (two Navigation radios, for that matter).
Are both tuned to the same freq’s? in the event #1 goes tits up?
“depends”…
If you have COM 2 tuned to the same frequency as COM 1, yes.
If you don’t then no.
They are two seperate units completely independant of each other, hence having two radios should one TU.
Above applies to your Nav radios too. Hope this answers your question???
You don’t want the comms tuned to the same freq.
Operationally it defeats the point of having multiple comms.
I kinda thought the same thing.
I have a friend who will use COM2 (no standby feature - King 170) as a “notepad” for the next frequency and tune COM1 to the new frequency so they ultimately end up the same for COMS.
He doesn’t like using a kneeboard. Don’t ask, I have no clue myself why as he wouldn’t elaborate… 
Worst part of it in my eyes is he didn’t have anything to show the prior frequency had he mis-heard or tuned in the wrong number!
Myself, with my current configuration, COM 1 is my transmitting com, COM 2 is my listening COM (ASOS, ATIS).
Easy enough to see my prior frequency when I flop from standby to active as well as what I wrote down when advised to change frequencies. If I misheard, or miswrote, at least I had on standby my prior frequency where I had a good contact.
Reason I don’t switch COMS for transmitting is it’s one less chance of transmitting to the wrong frequency. When I had my old King 170’s, I did switch COMS for transmitting as they didn’t have a standby feature.
Would be interesting to see how others handle their radios.
It’s good form (and strongly advised in or around the DC ADIZ) to tune your second radio to 121.5 when you’re not actively using it to check ATIS, Flight Service, or whatever. Lots of times I forget, but I try to monitor 121.5 on the second radio during cruise. Sometimes you’ll hear something interesting, but more often than not you’ll hear someone accidentally transmitting (usually an airliner calling “in range” to base ops) on 121.5 which always gets and immediate “YOU’RE ON GUARD!” response from other quick-trigger pilots monitoring the freq.
Cool, thanks gang!
in our cockpit comm one (the one on top) is strictly airborne transmitting, i.e. tower, appr. center etc. comm 2 (on the bottom) is all stuff on the ground, clearance, calling the FBO etc.
i know different people have there different preferences but thats what works for us
You forgot ATIS/AWOS, me too. Before radios had the standby frequency we were jumping from comm1 to comm 2 all the time.
This is a really good idea now that 121.5 is no longer monitored by the satelites…you might well be the “first report” of an ELT. Worse yet, you might be the only reporter of an ELT in an isolated area!
I like #1 tuned in for present communication with Center or whoever, and #2 tuned in for ATIS, AWOS,…info, which I check several times prior to landing.
Normally not.
And stop analizing your radios. It’ll give you rectal fissures! 