AYA Discussion Forum

SteveR · Guest Joined: 17 Apr 2009 Posts: 13 Location: Norman, OK

http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/FCCBans1215ELTs_202760-1.html

AvWeb says this goes into effect in August. No word on what the timeline for the transition will be. The right way to do this would be to give a several-year timespan to allow compliance.

The Ack 406mhz ELT looks like the most affordable unit, however the government is dragging their feet with certification. MSRP is $599 with the complete install kit including tray, cables, remote control, external antenna, etc., and this is a drop-in replacement for E-01 model 121.5 ELTs. A retrofit kit is $560.

http://www.ackavionics.com/406%20Page.html

I'm not sure how it gets its GPS signal though.

Can anyone recommend a simple/quick 406Mhz ELT for Grummans?

N32Romeo · Posted: Tue Jun 22, 2010 4:00 am Post subject:

I also hope they set a long timetable for conversion, I have two airplanes to upgrade. This will give a chance for more units to come on the market, just like I for ADS-B.
I see the Lithium battery last 5 years. I wonder that the replacement cost will be. And how well does it replace the Narco ELT10 that our planes came with? Since I am close by, I will try to stop in at ACK next time I am in San Jose.
_________________
Rich Harrison
Dog is my Co-Pilot
"Grumman"

SteveR · Guest Joined: 17 Apr 2009 Posts: 13 Location: Norman, OK

If the unit itself is $600, one would hope that the battery would be well under $50 or so. That is only $10/yr. Hopefully that will be the case with higher volumes that are sure to come. I still would prefer "D" alkaline batteries though.

bkamen · Posted: Mon Jun 28, 2010 6:23 pm Post subject:

Lithium batteries (depending on the chemistry) do not do well in the cold.

(cringe)

-Ben
_________________
Ben Kamen

Too many things to do -- Wish I didn't have to sleep.

alandr · Posted: Thu Jul 08, 2010 2:53 am Post subject: 121.5 ELTs

Ladies and Gentlemen -

As I understand it through AOPA, the FCC only proposed the rule and did not publish it (at least not yet). I joined AOPA in sending messages to the FCC Commissioners that this was a poorly-considered move that needed more coordination with the FAA and industry, as well as the end users. Of course, I've not been privileged with a reply... but here's hoping they see their error.

Meantime, my 121.5 died last year. I tried to replace it with 405 but couldn't find a unit - at ANY PRICE. The backorder log was months long, so I replaced the dead unit with another 121.5. I'm not about to throw away more money at this point. Evil or Very Mad

_________________
Alan D. Resnicke
N325WV @ 94E
AA5-0393