Pilot reports on FreeFlight Ranger Lite?

[DennisRhodes]

Anyone placed the model: RANGER Lite FDL-978-XVRL ( which is a In/Out ADSB transceiver) unit in service? Will they sell direct to experimental customers for user install? How easy was your installation and set up? Does it perform as advertised? Looks to have WiFi to electronic tablets and etc. Can it use any let over Navworx parts!! ie GPS antenna?

[DennisRhodes]

Actually the external antenna from the NAvworx is compatible and according to their sales they will sell directly for experimental user installation, Current price less GPS antenna is $3195. Only has to use one UAT antenna as opposed to the two required for the "Blue Box". eligible for the 500 Rebate. I have an installation manual for anyone if interested

[mdevans9]

Check with Walt. www.ExpAircraft.com

He is a FreeFlight Systems dealer.

Merrill

[Jesse]

I have installed Freeflight before. The blue box has the option of top and bottom uat antennas, but doesn't require both. It worked well, but the installation had some complication because of DOA parts.

[dtw_rv6]

Does it go into anonymous mode when squawking 1200?

[Isaac]

The FDL-978 systems have an Anonymous Mode feature that will broadcast a random, temporary, ICAO address and no call sign when enabled. This feature can only be enabled through a external switch (Open/Ground) connected to pin 12. "Anonymous Mode" is active when pin 12 is grounded (Active Low).

The Anonymous Mode can only be enabled when the squawk code is set to 1200. The FDL-978 will automatically revert back to the default ICAO address and call sign when the squawk code is changed from 1200.

The FDL-978 equipment defaults to the registered aircraft ICAO address and call sign when initially powered on. Anonymous Mode will not be enabled within the first 90 seconds after the FDL-978 is powered on.

In Anonymous Mode you are unable to receive IFR or VFR separation services. Potential negative impacts to ADS-B IN applications could occur.

I have the FDL-978-XVR with the internal GPS and am happy with its operation with my GRT Sport EFIS. Having ADS-B traffic displayed on the EFIS is a definite plus. About the only thing that could be better is if it were a dual mode receiver i.e. received 1090-ES Mode S xpndr via air to air rather than having to rely on ADS-R rebroadcast from a ground station for the 1090-ES traffic.

[DennisRhodes]

On the RANGER Lite FDL-978-XVRL , (1) How is the initial set up done if you are not using the Freeflight controller? . The Installation manual walks you thru the set up however it is with the FF controller unit. Also (2) does this unit require a stand alone Altitude encoder as show on the schematic or can the RS232 signal out of a GTX327 relay that PA, or maybe a separate wire over from the Dynon 180 that is also supplying the GTX 327 .

[Isaac]

The software in the FreeFlight XVR supports a Maintenance Port Interface (MPI) which can be used to configure the system, provide installation status information, and update system software/firmware. The MPI uses one of the RS-232 serial ports (TxRx3 or TxRx5) connected to a laptop or PC using a terminal interface program like ?Tera Term,? to enter the MPI commands and review internal status. The TC978 controller doesn't have to be installed in normal operation, Using it for configuration is easy using built in menus. The TC978 will retain a copy of the configuration settings so if you ever have to replace the XVR just reconnect the controller and the replacement unconfigured XVR will copy the configuration from the TC978.

The configuration can be also be done via the Wi-Fi interface module which can be connected to either RS-232 TxRx3 or TxRx5. FreeFlight has an APP that runs on a iPad that can be used for configuration via the W-iFi interface, So if you were going to implement the WiFi interface for connecting to a iPad running ForeFlight etc to view ADSB data. the Tablet configuration app might be the way to go for configuration.

The Garmin 327 transponder control output doesn't transmit the altitude encoder labels. Altitude Encoder data has to be provided to the FreeFlgiht XVR on a separate serial port input. The Dynon 180 output supplying altitude encoding data to the transponder should be used to provide altitude encoding data to the FreeFlight XVR.

[Walt]

In case anyone is interested I have a RANGR TXL in stock ready to go - $1995 (ADS-B out only, includes TC978 head and GPS antenna).

Walt

[DennisRhodes]

Thanks for the replys . The RANGER Lite FDL-978-XVRL may be my next choice if my Navworx 600EXP get unplugged.