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  #1  
Old 08-06-2012, 06:31 AM
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LettersFromFlyoverCountry LettersFromFlyoverCountry is offline
 
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Default The price of ELTs

My whip antenna for my Artex 406 mhz ELT (mounted on the top skin) broke off somewhere last night while finishing the last few hours of my Phase I testing, so I went online today to see how much a new antenna would cost.

That's when I saw this.

The ELT with the rod antenna is about $2000. The same ELT with a whip antenna is about $950.

Why would the price double depending on the antenna?
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  #2  
Old 08-06-2012, 06:43 AM
WingsOnWheels WingsOnWheels is offline
 
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Default

It's not quite that different. The whip model is $939 and the rod model is $1489. Even though, $500 for an ELT antenna is a bit steep. As a point of reference, the Ameri-King rod antenna alone is $488 so that pricing is in-line.

Whip: http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalo...es/1103492.php


Rod: http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalo...es/1103493.php
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  #3  
Old 08-06-2012, 06:53 AM
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LettersFromFlyoverCountry LettersFromFlyoverCountry is offline
 
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Ah, on the page I found, it was listed at $1995.

So, I'm looking for replacement antenna options, only I have to get up and go work for a living so these $600-$700 antennae are out of the question. I'm not going to spend that kind of money for a piece of equipment whose reliability is questionable to begin with.

Anyone got a source? Otherwise, I'll just duct tape a coat hangar on there.
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  #4  
Old 08-06-2012, 06:59 AM
WingsOnWheels WingsOnWheels is offline
 
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I don't know if they are interchangable, but the Kannad whip antenna is only $129 and the ACK is only $99. The replacement antenna for your ELT might not be all that bad. The whip antennas seem to be resonably priced. I don't see yours on ACS, but you may just want to call the manufacturer.

Kannad: http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalo...ges/ant200.php

ACK: http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalo...antennaE04.php
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  #5  
Old 08-06-2012, 09:01 AM
rwhittier rwhittier is offline
 
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Default I have an Airtex antenna

Long story, but I do have a new Artex 406 antenna. PN 110-773. If your interested PM me. Or call at 623-570-thirteen twenty.

These guys seem to think the antenna is worth more than the electronics. Go figure... It might be worth a call to them first - maybe they will send you a new one.

Roger

Quote:
Originally Posted by LettersFromFlyoverCountry View Post
My whip antenna for my Artex 406 mhz ELT (mounted on the top skin) broke off somewhere last night while finishing the last few hours of my Phase I testing, so I went online today to see how much a new antenna would cost.

That's when I saw this.

The ELT with the rod antenna is about $2000. The same ELT with a whip antenna is about $950.

Why would the price double depending on the antenna?
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  #6  
Old 08-06-2012, 11:27 AM
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LettersFromFlyoverCountry LettersFromFlyoverCountry is offline
 
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Aircraft Spruce wants $218.95 for another whip. That's criminal. A piece of stinking wire.
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  #7  
Old 08-06-2012, 11:33 AM
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rv7boy rv7boy is offline
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I agree with you, Bob. If you can determine the required length, you should be able to make your own. I mean, after all, you built the airplane.
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  #8  
Old 08-06-2012, 11:47 AM
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LettersFromFlyoverCountry LettersFromFlyoverCountry is offline
 
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I've still got the base and about 4 inches of the wire. I'm not much of an engineer but seems like it would be possible to do something with that.
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  #9  
Old 08-06-2012, 12:17 PM
SteinAir SteinAir is offline
 
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Hi Bob,

We'll see if we can do something better for you, but that's what you get for mounting it on the outside of the airplane (put it inside next time and you'll gain speed, and have one less hole in the plane)!

Cheers,
Stein
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  #10  
Old 08-06-2012, 12:26 PM
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LettersFromFlyoverCountry LettersFromFlyoverCountry is offline
 
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The thing is: I like the look of an external antenna array. Yeah, I know, I'm an outlier.
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