C

CNEJR

Well Known Member
I am interested in installing an APRS unit in my wingtip as many have done. I also have Commant Towel Bar Antennas in the tips for glideslope, VOR use. Will the APRS unit interfere with these or vise/versa? Can you power the APRS unit off your Nav lights? Your help & experience is much appreciated.

Which Byonics unit would you buy? Do they have the antennas also? Is one of these units as good as SPOT?
 
I have the low power APRS transmitter in my wingtip with wingtip ILS antennas and have had no noticable problems with nav interference. I fly hard IFR and always operate the APRS transmitter. The APRS antenna is a twin lead jpole. Yes, you can power it off the nav light wires. Have fun.
 
You need to read the intro posts in the APRS forum:

There are differences between Spot and APRS. Spot has a dedicated emergency (911 ?) function. APRS may have that as a secondary transmission but ask in the APRS forum. APRS can transmit more frequently than Spot and the tracks are less cluttered

Personally I am looking to get the MT-TT4 since it has the future capability to get bearing/range info on other APRS aircraft and email/texting functionality.

http://tinyurl.com/9eu5bb
 
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Hi Chuck

We have no reports of the APRS units and wingtip antennas interfering with nav reception, but no scientific studies have been done that I know of.

If you are looking to make a wingtip antenna or have one made - I can hook you up.

As for better than SPOT- It is different, but seems to work well in most areas.

I don't know if any of the 300mw trackers are left - the 8 watt units work great and have a bit more oomph to get the signal out. Let me know how I can help.
 
Check out the APRS forum

CNEJR said:
I am interested in installing an APRS unit in my wingtip as many have done. I also have Commant Towel Bar Antennas in the tips for glideslope, VOR use. Will the APRS unit interfere with these or vise/versa? Can you power the APRS unit off your Nav lights? Your help & experience is much appreciated.

Which Byonics unit would you buy? Do they have the antennas also? Is one of these units as good as SPOT?
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Chuck, cruise on over to the APRS forum:

http://www.vansairforce.com/community/forumdisplay.php?f=104

The stickies at the top of the forum will answer most of your questions. Don't hesitate to pop any specific questions if you can't find the answers in the APRS forum threads. Here is one in particular that addresses your questions about SPOT vs APRS:

http://www.vansairforce.com/community/showthread.php?t=33359

Happy tracking!
 
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