uAvionix replacement for Navworx EXP

[tommylewis]

Anyone have any feed back on how well the Echo "sniffer" captures the squwaks?

As an early EchoUAT customer, I have found the "sniffer" works very well. Check for pressure altitude and squawk code on the Echo App to verify it is working. IF you have any issue, Tech Support can tell you how to change the transponder threshold so that it works better.

In my opinion, EchoUAT is a very well engineered product with great support via the Echo App and Tech Support.

[RONSIM]

You mention you are using the NAVWORX GPS antenna --- what are you using for your position source? (my system is on order from Dallas)

Thanks,

Ron

[JBPILOT]

I bought their GPS combo package. Two very small boxes that you can mount nearly anywhere. They provided an 'adapter' short wire to change from GPS antenna I had to their small snap in type connection. Out antenna had same type connector. Run ONE wire from one box to the other, and power and ground to both boxes, setup, go. Simple.

[Alan Cockrell]

The combo package worked for me. I got the SKYFyx-EXT antenna and mounted it where the NW antenna was on a bracket under the canopy in back of the baggage compartment. I tested it on a long cross-country flight with some other RVs. It worked perfectly the first leg. On the second leg the wi-fi disconnected a couple of times. After I reset the CB it stayed put for the rest of the 1+50 flight. The performance report came back with no errors. I'm scratching my head over the disconnect and hoping that will not be an on-going problem.

[JBPILOT]

My GPS antenna is on the shelf under the top cowl where the original XM antenna was designed to go. A short provided adapter cable allowed me to keep both antennas from previous setup. I have had NO issues so far. I had the Navworx unit operate for 2 years, and it worked well. I really now appreciate the dual input. I was not use to seeing jets far above me. So far - so good.

[NM Doug]

If flying below radar coverage, where there aren't interrogations, does the EchoUAT fall back on GPS altitude and broadcast out regularly (e.g. once per second) instead of relying on the sniffer? And is the fallback mode EchoUAT uses acceptable to the FAA for 2020 purposes? I sent in a support ticket a couple weeks ago with these questions but haven't heard back yet.

Thanks,
Doug

Originally Posted by tommylewis

As an early EchoUAT customer, I have found the "sniffer" works very well. Check for pressure altitude and squawk code on the Echo App to verify it is working. IF you have any issue, Tech Support can tell you how to change the transponder threshold so that it works better.

In my opinion, EchoUAT is a very well engineered product with great support via the Echo App and Tech Support.

[Ralph Ketter]

Originally Posted by NM Doug

If flying below radar coverage, where there aren't interrogations, does the EchoUAT fall back on GPS altitude and broadcast out regularly (e.g. once per second) instead of relying on the sniffer? And is the fallback mode EchoUAT uses acceptable to the FAA for 2020 purposes? I sent in a support ticket a couple weeks ago with these questions but haven't heard back yet.

Thanks,
Doug

I sent in a similar request and got the following response

... When the pressure altitude is not available the echoUAT will send geometric altitude (GPS) as the primary altitude. The UAT message allows for the declaration of the type of altitude being transmitted. When pressure altitude becomes available again echoUAT will send pressure altitude automatically.

I hope this helps your understanding of the echoUAT behavior.

uAvionix Support

[donwmack]

Just received my Echo package from Dallas Avionics. The installation will be a snap. Even included the UAT antenna adapter

https://www.dropbox.com/s/lk95fchfl6...B1%5D.jpg?dl=0

[Fred.Stucklen]

Originally Posted by Ralph Ketter

Quote:
Originally Posted by NM Doug View Post
If flying below radar coverage, where there aren't interrogations, does the EchoUAT fall back on GPS altitude and broadcast out regularly (e.g. once per second) instead of relying on the sniffer? And is the fallback mode EchoUAT uses acceptable to the FAA for 2020 purposes? I sent in a support ticket a couple weeks ago with these questions but haven't heard back yet.

Thanks,
Doug
I sent in a similar request and got the following response
Quote:
... When the pressure altitude is not available the echoUAT will send geometric altitude (GPS) as the primary altitude. The UAT message allows for the declaration of the type of altitude being transmitted. When pressure altitude becomes available again echoUAT will send pressure altitude automatically.

I hope this helps your understanding of the echoUAT behavior.

This is the answer to PART of the issue: When outside the radar environment, and the transponder isn't being pinged, what transponder code is sent by the UAT device? If the UAT device isn't able to detect a transponder output, how does it know if the transponder code has been changed?

Just got off the phone with auAvionics tech. He stated that the UAT will transmit the last known transponder code under the above situation. A previous post stated (and uAvionics confirmed) that the GPS alt it sent with the encoder alt = 0. And there will not be any loss of weather or traffic as long as a ground station is within range. He didn't see any situation that would result in loosing traffic data.

Something else of interest: The FAA knows the manufacture of your ADS-B from it's transmissions. They will treat the ADS600-EXP transmissions as invalid after 1/11/18, and you will loose ground based broadcast of traffic data, AND probably get an official notification from the FAA.....

[Ralph Ketter]

Originally Posted by Fred.Stucklen

This is the answer to PART of the issue: When outside the radar environment, and the transponder isn't being pinged, what transponder code is sent by the UAT device? If the UAT device isn't able to detect a transponder output, how does it know if the transponder code has been changed?

In my case I intend to connect the serial from the GTX327 transponder to the ECHO UAT. I wish the ECHO unit could receive BOTH the serial data from an encoder and a transponder like the NAVWORX-EXP unit did.

It would also be nice if uAvionix published more documentation about how their unit handles cases where the transponder is not being interrogated.