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03-27-2016, 01:29 PM
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Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 672
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Check the
Quote:
Originally Posted by Piper J3
Update... Went flying this morning (Easter - wife said OK) and I tried six different AWOS stations and was ready to give up. I tried one more and it works. Is it common for so many AWOS to be off-line? All stations were very easily within range. Glad its working. Love the airplane and love the electronics...
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I suggest checking the notams for those airports with no service if you haven't already done so. Our airport notams the AWOS o/s if they find out it is inop. Especially if it will be a few days before a tech can come out. Also many AWOS systems have land line capability. Depending what part of the system is in bad order, you may be able to check by calling the phone number. And the fastest way for our airport to find the AWOS is down is for a pilot to let the manager or a lineman know. Call up the airports Unicom frequency next time you are airborne and have them check the AWOS if you are not receiving it. they will appreciate your letting them know if you think it is suspect. Takes about 30 seconds for them to check it. Oh, and yes these systems require maintence and require sensor replacement and calibration and it is fairly common to lose at least part of the system. We have had lightning strikes take ours totally out at least two or three times. Also, it is my experience that AWOS systems vary greatly in transmit range due to terrain, altitude and other factors. I've tuned in to the AWOS at some airports on the standby freq. and decided it was out of service when I couldn't get it 10 mile out, and the pick it up a few miles closer.
Joe
__________________
Joe Schneider
RV-7, IO-360, BA Hartzell, N847CR
Flying since 2008
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03-27-2016, 07:40 PM
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Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Hinckley, Ohio
Posts: 2,065
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Maybe I wasn't clear in above post. I found one AWOS station that I could receive with XXX.xxx so SL40 is working correctly. It seems that a lot of AWOS stations are not broadcasting in this area. I will expand my list to find other AWOS stations.
So does anybody know if it is common that AWOS stations are not broadcasting?
__________________
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Jim Stricker
EAA #499867
PPL/ASEL 1970 - Sport Pilot since 2007
80 hrs Flying Aeronca Chief 11AC N86203
1130 hrs Flying 46 Piper J-3 Cub N6841H
Bought Flying RV-12 #120058 Oct 2015 with 48TT - Hobbs now 622 
LSRM-A Certificate 2016 for RV-12 N633CM
Special Thanks... EJ Trucks - USN Crew Chief A-4 Skyhawk
MJ Stricker (Father & CFI) - USAAF 1st Lt. Captain B-17H
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03-28-2016, 11:22 AM
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Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 672
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Piper J3
So does anybody know if it is common that AWOS stations are not broadcasting?
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I apologize Jim. I think my post above came out sounding unintentionally derogatory. I thought having a few methods to help you find out if the AWOS's were in fact bad order would be of help in isolating the problem to your SL40.
From me quoted above:
Quote:
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Oh, and yes these systems require maintenance and require sensor replacement and calibration and it is fairly common to lose at least part of the system. We have had lightning strikes take ours totally out at least two or three times.
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For example if a thunderstorm rolls through an area and it contains heavy lightning it would not be unheard of for AWOS's at multiple airports in the storm path to get storm / lightning damage. High wind can damage transmit antennae and degrade range or knock a system off line.
Although I'm certainly no expert I manage a small regional airport and deal with this 3 or 4 times a year so yes I would say in my experience it is not uncommon. Hope that helps...
Joe
__________________
Joe Schneider
RV-7, IO-360, BA Hartzell, N847CR
Flying since 2008
Last edited by Caveman : 03-28-2016 at 11:48 AM.
Reason: clarification
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03-28-2016, 01:49 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Fredericksburg, TX
Posts: 662
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You didn't say how far away form the ASOS stations you were. The AIM says you should be able to receive the ASOS within 25NM.
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Jim Averett
RV-8
TS36 - Silver Wings
Fredericksburg, TX
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03-28-2016, 02:53 PM
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Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Hinckley, Ohio
Posts: 2,065
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That could be the problem. I wonder if they use low power RF just to make sure you are truly getting the local weather.
__________________
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Jim Stricker
EAA #499867
PPL/ASEL 1970 - Sport Pilot since 2007
80 hrs Flying Aeronca Chief 11AC N86203
1130 hrs Flying 46 Piper J-3 Cub N6841H
Bought Flying RV-12 #120058 Oct 2015 with 48TT - Hobbs now 622 
LSRM-A Certificate 2016 for RV-12 N633CM
Special Thanks... EJ Trucks - USN Crew Chief A-4 Skyhawk
MJ Stricker (Father & CFI) - USAAF 1st Lt. Captain B-17H
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03-30-2016, 06:31 AM
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Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Hudson County, NJ
Posts: 1,092
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Bought my SL40 with a flying plane around it. I marveled at just how good the radio was compared with any rental radios I've suffered through. Signal reception is very very good. I find it strange that you are having these issues. But I have never adjusted any settings in mine so I can't say how long it took the builder to "set it up."
I fly under NY bravo and the surrounding areas, but I've been from the Canadian border to New Orleans and have never had a problem receiving any station with the exception of Block Island, which I can't generally receive until I am inside 10 miles.
I'm not sure I added anything useful here other than to confirm you should not be having these issue. How is your antenna?
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03-30-2016, 09:45 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Hubbard Oregon
Posts: 9,035
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Piper J3
That could be the problem. I wonder if they use low power RF just to make sure you are truly getting the local weather.
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Most of them seem to be rather low power.... That is why in my previous post I asked if you had tried turning off the auto squelch?
If you are very far away, it is common for some of the signals to not be strong enough to un-squelch an SL-40.
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Opinions, information and comments are my own unless stated otherwise. They do not necessarily represent the direction/opinions of my employer.
Scott McDaniels
Van's Aircraft Engineering Prototype Shop Manager
Hubbard, Oregon
RV-6A (aka "Junkyard Special ")
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03-31-2016, 03:13 AM
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Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Hinckley, Ohio
Posts: 2,065
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I got this response from Garmin Support... If the stations are low power it’s possible the signal is not strong enough to break squelch in the SL 40. The SL 40 receiver squelch adjustment can be adjusted by a Garmin Aviation dealer in test mode.
I will try un-squelch next time I fly.
Thanks everyone for your help...
__________________
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Jim Stricker
EAA #499867
PPL/ASEL 1970 - Sport Pilot since 2007
80 hrs Flying Aeronca Chief 11AC N86203
1130 hrs Flying 46 Piper J-3 Cub N6841H
Bought Flying RV-12 #120058 Oct 2015 with 48TT - Hobbs now 622 
LSRM-A Certificate 2016 for RV-12 N633CM
Special Thanks... EJ Trucks - USN Crew Chief A-4 Skyhawk
MJ Stricker (Father & CFI) - USAAF 1st Lt. Captain B-17H
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