Jim Wright
Well Known Member
Has anyone install the new uAvionix ADSB out units ECHO UAT or Sky Beacon?
Affirmative.
Installed the echo UAT w/SkyFyx in my RV4.
Works great, passed the FAA ADSB performance evaluation.
I plan to install the same system in my -4. Where did you locate the components? uAvionix recommended I put the SkyFyx under the cowl, but I mixed reservations about that location. Pictures would be great!
Thanks,
I plan to install the same system in my -4. Where did you locate the components? uAvionix recommended I put the SkyFyx under the cowl, but I mixed reservations about that location. Pictures would be great!
Thanks,
I plan to install the same system in my -4. Where did you locate the components? uAvionix recommended I put the SkyFyx under the cowl, but I mixed reservations about that location. Pictures would be great!
Thanks,
There is a new cable from Dallas Avionics that will allow you to operate the system without a sniffer. It essentially multiplexes two serial outputs to one input on the uavionics - one from the GTX327 for squawk code, and one from your serial altitude encoder.
I don't have the multiplexer cable yet - currently running the system with the built in sniffer for alt and squawk.
The label on my harness says "EchoUAT mux Harness rev A v0.0.6. 115200". I just plugged it in the old Navworx connector. Transponder is a Garmin 327, and altitude comes from a Dynon D100. Echo is configured to NOT sniff for squawk or altitude per the instructions that came with the harness. So far it seems to work well!
Hope that helps.
No photos (yet), but I mounted the GPS antenna just aft of the rear seat, next to an existing antenna for my KLX135A.
Purely a personal decision, I don?t like the idea of mounting under the cowl.
Also, when I built my 4, I stiffened the upper cowl with carbon fiber after the first few flights. I was getting some inflight deformation, so I have concerns about that blocking or at the very least, interfering with the signal.
The Echo UAT is mounted on the side wall of the baggage compartment, that way it?s still visible if/when I need to observe the LEDs.
UAT antenna mounted bottom of the fuselage, below the baggage area. I did this to minimize coax length.
I ?struggled? with deciding on the best location for the UAT antenna, in such a way as to provide the recommended distance from the transponder antenna, easy access to the UAT, and still providing minimum coax run.
I finally just said the heck with it, and installed as noted above.
Only other real option for my airplane were the wingtips.
Quickly ruled that out because it?s a real pain to take mine on & off, and I didn?t like the idea of threading yet another wire (power), through my already over-stuffed wing conduits!
Maniago... can't speak to your specific pin outs... but you have the essence correct. Just order the system at $1090 and tell them you need the free MUX cable with the units. Please have your Navworx serial number handy. Ask for Miguel. It is far simpler than most think. They weigh nothing. I put mine in with velcro. Confg. takes minutes and my compliance report came back positive after a 15 minute flight near a ground station.
I had horrible experiences all the way around with the Echo, but fixed most of the issues by building a GDL90 filter/converter box that also allows transponder and altitude encoder input for the Echo. There will be more information on it that I'll be posting towards the end of June and it's potentially something that I'll open-source out so that others can have the fixes too. Without it, the Echo is not a system I'd be happy with. Some of the issues are fixed behind the scenes by AFS/GRT/Dynon, for users of their systems, but most do not address the root cause...bad software on the Echo.
Anyway, more to come later. PM me if you want me to email you later, and shoot me your email address. Or email me if you wish. I'll be doing an extensive test flight in less than 2 weeks that'll cover a few thousand miles with 2 planes, and once that is done, I may share the project.
All of Tims points are valid, and hes done a lot of homework on this - I got a good schooling from him when we discussed it...I'm still on the fence wrt to the Echo.....
Hi Derrick,
Thanks so much for the details. A couple of clarifying questions:
I assume the "existing antenna for my KLX135A" is also a GPS antenna? Are both on the aft top fuselage skin and under the canopy? How much separation did you achieve?
You indicated the UAT antenna is mounted on the belly, underneath the baggage compartment. I have received recommendations that these two antennae (UAT & Xponder) should be at least 1 meter apart. A meter forward or aft of that would be inconvenient for me... How much separation do you have for these antenna?
Thank again!
Any post install PAPRs?
How well does the sniffer work for a normal old Mode C transponder?
Any post install PAPRs?
How well does the sniffer work for a normal old Mode C transponder?
Hey guys,
I've installed 5 echoUATs on various E-AB airframes and have another 5 lined up. I just wanted to let you know, in case you weren't already aware, that uAvionix makes a special interface adapter harness for GTN/GNS/IFD installs that allows you to establish a wired connection for transponder control WHILE also using the echoUAT's com 2 input for TSO'd/ADS-B+ position data. Just give them a call and they'll send in the mail to you. Dallas avionics may also have access to them.
Good luck, fly safe.
Chris