ELT Suggestions?

[schrome]

Does anyone have a suggestion for the cheapest, easiest to install 406 MHz ELT? $700 is the lowest price I've seen online - ouch! How is the antenna mounted in a Sonerai?

Thanks,
Ed

[hans]

Nov 28, 2011 21:25:17 GMT -5 schrome said:

Does anyone have a suggestion for the cheapest, easiest to install 406 MHz ELT? $700 is the lowest price I've seen online - ouch! How is the antenna mounted in a Sonerai?

Thanks,
Ed

This is not for you Ed, as you want a 403Mhz job. I'd like to take this opportunity to offer my 121.5/243Mhz ELT up for sale. It's a used one, a Pointer Model 3000. It comes with a mounting tray, antenna and with a battery that is valid till next year October.

I don't know yet what shipping to the USA would cost and I don't know yet what a realistic asking price would be, perhaps I'm going to put it up at eBay...

cheers
Hans

[hans]

as to a 406 MHz ELT suggestion:
for my Sonerai, I purchased an ACR SARLink 350, which really is a PLB but one that is programmable with a 24-bit ICAO code like a plane mounted 406 ELT. When activated it also transmits a 121.5 MHz signal for the rescue services to home in to.
It's slightly larger than the first generation of mobile GSM phones, so it doesn't need all that much space. See www.acrelectronics.com/products/catalog/personal-locator-beacons/sarlink-406-gps/

cheers
Hans

[Kevin]

Of course it is a personal choice, but for United States based airplanes an ELT is not required for single seat airplanes.

[schrome]

Hans, unfortunately personal locator beacons don't meet U.S. FAA's requirements.

Kevin, I ride a 2LS. The DAR said I could complete phase 1 flight testing before buying one and now I've nearly reached that milestone.

Thanks anyhow,
Ed

[o2koold]

Hi Ed,
I have my eye on the ACK 406/121.5 MHz E-04 ELT. ACS is selling them for $600. They weigh in at about 2 LBS and the $100 battery is good for 5 years. I will do what you are doing and wait until the 40 hours are flown off. But in the mean time, I have my mount welded in and will put the 2 LBS in for test flying.
I am keeping the whole thing in the tail. The antenna comes at a 20° with a fairing. I will make a H bracket to mount it over the turtle deck spine and then a FRP fairing to extend the fairing and cover the mounting bracket.
Hope this helps.
Scott R

[Kevin]

oops, my bad! I am so focused on my own S-I that I wasn't thinking about a two seater.

[n3480h]

Ed, Wag Aero has one on sale right now.

Tom

[bil438]

I have one of the EBC Units. Wagaero have the battery units for say $20. I replace my own battery, date and affix the sticker.
I'm betting that where I live (Montreal) the Minister of Transport will continue to refuse to sign the legislation to make the 406 mandatory. Only SAR want it.
Instead I bought Spot 2 at S&F. It was cheap from Wicks. Also the local pilots Assn have a cut rate on the Spot subscription. Why? If Spot see that you are down, they can and do hire a chopper to rescue you, GPS coordinates in hand. Probably AOPA have the same deal.
Bill

[n3480h]

Curiosity piqued.

So, if I have a functioning Spot 2 and have subscribed, and I land at a friend's uncharted private field between corn and beans, I can expect a visit from a helicopter crewed by EMT's? That's amazing! ;D How is it activated?

Tom

[schrome]

Thanks, everyone.

Wag Aero's catalog says the ACK 406/121.5 E-04 isn't available yet while the company undergoes certification. I've asked when they expect that to happen.

[wbpace]

Stupid question: Why can't an ELT be mounted inside the fuselage? It's not exactly covered by a radio opaque material (aka aluminum) so it should work without hanging an antenna out in the airstream.

Many of the RV boys put their nav/com antennas in the wingtip, and the glass guys within the fuse for the same reason: fiberglass is generally radio transparent. I don't know if they do something different for the ELT, though.

Am I missing something?

[o2koold]

Hi Ed,
ACS has this note on the page selling the ELT:

ELT certification process is complete and and they have received FAA TSO, Transport Canada TSO and ETSO approval. Per ACK as of April 11th, 2011 the ACK E-04 ELTs orders are now in the fulfillment process.

I would hope they are caught up on the back ordered one by now.
Scott R

[schrome]

Yeah, Wag Aero told me the same thing yesterday. Now the only thing left to be done is to get Santa Claus on board with the plan. Thanks, Scott.

Ed

[o2koold]

Are they selling at the same price- $599, or are they cheaper?
Scott R