REFLECTOR: ELT

[Al Gietzen]

Al,

 

If you are going to go to the bother to install an ELT, you might want to
re-consider the 121.5/243 MHz variety.  The network that monitors those is
going to be shut down fairly soon, and they don't really work, anyway.
Artex now has a 406 MHz unit that's more or less practical - see
http://www.artex.net/whatsnewartex.html 

 

Keith Hallsten

 

I considered it, Kieth; but the 'old' version is good until 2009, and at the
time the $190 I paid for this one seemed like a good idea compared to the
roughly $1000.00 for the 406 MHz.  I expect I'll be ready for some other
upgrades in a few years, and will do it then.  And I'm sure you're right;
the 406MHz units are a more reliable way to go.

 

Al

 

 

  _____  

From: reflector-bounces at tvbf.org [mailto:reflector-bounces at tvbf.org] On
Behalf Of Al Gietzen
Sent: Monday, January 23, 2006 3:42 PM
To: reflector
Subject: REFLECTOR: ELT

 

During construction of my plane I never gave much thought to the ELT
installation; thinking that I would eventually mount it somewhere behind the
vanity bulkhead. No wires to pull - no big deal.

 

I bought an Ameri-King AK450 a few months ago, and put it aside.  I opened
it today to do the installation.    It has a Remote Unit that should be
mounted in the panel, and a cable that goes to the transmitter unit.  Oops;
I should have dealt with this long ago before my panel was nicely painted
and completed, and the wire bundles were covered by the nice upholstery
panels.  And it needs to be installed in a specific orientation on major
structure. Hum-m-m; those places are pretty well used up. 

 

One big concern - the instructions say that the antenna (if mounted in a
non-metallic airplane) needs a ground plane that is a minimum of 36" in
diameter!  How can that be achieved?

 

I'm sure once I get over "Installation Shock" I can deal with this, but
suggestions will be appreciated.

 

I understand this can be put off until after completion of the 40 hour test
program, but it probably won't be any easier then.

 

Thanks,

 

Al

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