uAvionix Echo UAT/GRT - Install Experience

[rleffler]

Originally Posted by BobTurner

+1 on hard wiring the transponder. Sooner or later you?ll find yourself flying below radar coverage, and if nothing ?pings? the transponder, a sniffer will have nothing to sniff.
I recently faced the same choice, buy an approved gps or tap into an existing 430W (plus pay $100 to get the software with ADSB+ output). I chose the latter (tap into 430W) but understand that it?s not for everyone. I spent what seemed an eternity but really maybe an hour (?) on my back, under the panel, wishing I had three hands, to tap into the 430. BTW, you?ll need a ?high density? pin for the 430W connection.
Note to current builders: I wish I had had all the RS232 pins installed, with short wires, with my original harness. Would have saved considerable work now.

I totally concur with Bob's last couple of sentences. I ran into similar issues with my GTN650. Being an old fart wearing progressive bifocals, working on those high density pins upside down, under the panel is a royal PITA. With my fat fingers, I usually break an adjacent wire every time I open the shell on a high density connector.

[Greg_Toman]

I thought I would chime in and help out a bit with the GPS choice for the Echo UAT. Yes, the Garmin 430 can be software updated to have ADS-B+ output, if it is a WAAS version (GTN430W). I believe that updating a GTN430 to a GTN430W (WAAS)is quite expensive now (I think about $3k).

The GRT Safe-Fly would not be needed if the 430 can be upgraded, however, the Safe-Fly does add 3 serial ports (since it has a serial port combiner expander) for GRT EFIS systems, and the GPS data it provides to the EFIS is a RAIM GPS, meaning that if the 430 was not working, the Safe-Fly GPS is would be driving the GRT EFIS with data that would be nice to have if in actual IFR.

I don't know if the AFS would be able to use the NEMA RAIM GPS data from the Safe-Fly GPS though, and it could not use the serial data combiner.

I concur that wiring to the 330 transponder is desirable, and the EchoUAT is compatible with the GTX330. I have been lazy and have not made that wiring change in my RV-10 yet, but I will be.

Greg Toman
GRT Avionics

[BobTurner]

Originally Posted by rleffler

Being an old fart wearing progressive bifocals, working on those high density pins upside down, under the panel is a royal PITA.

I had some success, with help of some tape, at wearing my progressives upside down! (fortunately my left and right eyes are equally bad).

[rleffler]

Originally Posted by BobTurner

I had some success, with help of some tape, at wearing my progressives upside down! (fortunately my left and right eyes are equally bad).

Actually, I have another set of glasses with the reading prescription for the whole lens. The problem with those are that the focal length is about the end of your arm. Seeing those high density pins 12" in front of your face, so it's out of focus, makes life fun. I'm just glad that work is behind me.

[rwarre]

Have been following the threads with the Echo installation and plan on doing the Garmin 430w RS232 out. What does it take to get the Garmin upgraded to have the "plus" added. Do I have to send in the unit? Also trying to figure out how to lay on my back comfortably for long periods of time, be able to see small objects, and handle them without dropping them into oblivion.

[rleffler]

Originally Posted by rwarre

Have been following the threads with the Echo installation and plan on doing the Garmin 430w RS232 out. What does it take to get the Garmin upgraded to have the "plus" added. Do I have to send in the unit? Also trying to figure out how to lay on my back comfortably for long periods of time, be able to see small objects, and handle them without dropping them into oblivion.

It's a simple software upgrade for ADSB+. Adding wires for the RS-232 ports is a different story.

Garmin has made the software updates for the experimental market installable by the builder for the G3X and GTN650. I don't follow the 430W status to know if they did something similar for it. I'm sure that there are others that will speak up here on VAF.

Reach out to Ralph Capen. He and I worked together on the Navworx AMOCs. He has a 430W and can probably direct you.

Worse case, any Garmin dealer can install a software upgrade. Some are free and Garmin covers the fee to the dealer under warranty, but there are some that you'll have to pay whatever fee the dealer chooses to charge.

[BobTurner]

ADSB+ is an rs232 protocol. Go to the 430W set up page, look at your rs232 output options. If you do not see adsb+ (not just adsb, you need the +) then you need new software to get it. Garmin dealers have the software on a card that goes into the datacard slot. Takes 10 minutes. Some pull the 430W and do it in the shop, some do it in place in the airplane. Most seem to charge $100 for their time but you can shop around. A while ago someone here had the update card and was renting it out for less ($50?).

[FORANE]

When the 430W boots up it displays the firmware version. I think it needs to be version 5.0 or later.

[Fearless]

Got the Echo UAT/GRT combo mounted in the 12. I really like it that the components are a lot smaller then the NavWorx box we were originally thinking about using before the FAA fiasco. Wired the Garmin GTR200 com in the second set of ports on the GPS. Will eventually put the combo in my 9A when the pocketbook will allow. I learned quite a bit on setting up the ports on the GRT Sport EFIS's working with support from the GRT guys. Will make the upgrades on the 9A a lot easier when I add my second EFIS screen. Wired the combo into the 4th set of ports on the primary EFIS which are the high speed ones.

[flightlogic]

Originally Posted by Fearless

Got the Echo UAT/GRT combo mounted in the 12. I really like it that the components are a lot smaller then the NavWorx box we were originally thinking about using before the FAA fiasco. Wired the Garmin GTR200 com in the second set of ports on the GPS. Will eventually put the combo in my 9A when the pocketbook will allow. I learned quite a bit on setting up the ports on the GRT Sport EFIS's working with support from the GRT guys. Will make the upgrades on the 9A a lot easier when I add my second EFIS screen. Wired the combo into the 4th set of ports on the primary EFIS which are the high speed ones.

Mike, let us know how the compliance test with the FAA comes out, when you get a chance.