ADS-B in

[0TreeLemur]

Our C had an Appareo transponder connected to a Stratus 2i for ADS-B in.  It used the transponder antenna to receive.  Elegant.  They mounted the Stratus under the panel where the LED's were visible if the pilot crouched down just a bit.

Our new J has an Avidyne AXP340 transponder, and no ADS-B in.  As a short term solution I've built a Stratux for <$200, and it works.  But compared to our prior system, the stratux requires battery charging, suction cups, and represents another potential flight distraction.  I see it as a regression.  I'd like built-in ship powered ADS-B in solution that is out of sight.  I don't want to put the stratux on the dash.  I don't want to run a long USB cable to the stratux.   I don't want suction cup rings on my windows.

I see that Avidyne makes an ADS-B in box that is priced as if it contains large amounts of precious metal.   To quote Dana Carvey doing George Bush: Na ganna da it.

Aside from swapping out the AXP340 for an Appareo xpdr with a stratus i, what are other options?

[EricJ]

A transponder with ADS-B-in or something like a Freeflight Ranger are the best options if you want in-panel ADS-B-in.    I have a single-band (978) Freeflight Ranger that has always worked well and feeds the display on my IFD540.    I still also use a dual-band stratux that feeds my tablets.   I have USB power outlets in the back seats, so I keep the battery on the stratux plugged in to one of those.   Even if it's just sitting in the back seat it works fine, but it's usually in the window.    I don't mind messing with it, but had considered mounting it permanently on the hat shelf and feeding it with an old transponder antenna or something.

https://www.freeflightsystems.com/avionics/ads-b-system/

[Ryan ORL]

Could install a Garmin GDL50R.  Don't know what the Avidyne unit costs by comparison but the Garmin is like $950.

Maybe could also find an older used GDL39.

[Ragsf15e]

1 hour ago, 0TreeLemur said:

Our C had an Appareo transponder connected to a Stratus 2i for ADS-B in.  It used the transponder antenna to receive.  Elegant.  They mounted the Stratus under the panel where the LED's were visible if the pilot crouched down just a bit.

Our new J has an Avidyne AXP340 transponder, and no ADS-B in.  As a short term solution I've built a Stratux for <$200, and it works.  But compared to our prior system, the stratux requires battery charging, suction cups, and represents another potential flight distraction.  I see it as a regression.  I'd like built-in ship powered ADS-B in solution that is out of sight.  I don't want to put the stratux on the dash.  I don't want to run a long USB cable to the stratux.   I don't want suction cup rings on my windows.

I see that Avidyne makes an ADS-B in box that is priced as if it contains large amounts of precious metal.   To quote Dana Carvey doing George Bush: Na ganna da it.

Aside from swapping out the AXP340 for an Appareo xpdr with a stratus i, what are other options?

Definitely depends on if you want your panel avionics to get adsb in or just your portables.  Good cost difference there.

you might look for a place under the dash where you could mount the Stratux to the frame with Velcro or zip ties and hardwire a USB cable - maybe power from your cigarette lighter. I have thought of doing this with a Sentry. One nice thing is that if you have an ahrs on your portable, that is a good back up to all your panel avionics as long as it’s firmly mounted.  If you go this route, you’ll get adsb to your portables for low cost.  Maybe invest in a “better than Stratux”?  Sentry has CO, ahrs and adsb in.  

[ZuluZulu]

What else is in your panel?

[jlunseth]

I know its not what you want, but the portable solutions are way cheaper than anything that is installed in the panel and in this case, not just good, but parts of the display through the iPad and Foreflight are better than what is available on the panel. If you are not trying to use the portable as an AHRS there is no need to fasten it down, say with suction cups, which doesn’t work well anyway. I just lay my Stratus on the glare shield just above the charging port, its out of the way. I realize it is potential FOD in the wrong situation, but so is a lot of other stuff I keep in baggage or in the back seat that is not fastened down.

[ArtVandelay]

Could install a Garmin GDL50R.  Don't know what the Avidyne unit costs by comparison but the Garmin is like $950.
Maybe could also find an older used GDL39.

50R works great with G3X and portables, but doesn’t work with GTNs.

[Ryan ORL]

1 hour ago, ArtVandelay said:

50R works great with G3X and portables, but doesn’t work with GTNs.

He's currently using a Stratux so I interpreted this to mean he was interested in getting ADS-B In to his portable.

[LANCECASPER]

23 hours ago, 0TreeLemur said:

Our C had an Appareo transponder connected to a Stratus 2i for ADS-B in.  It used the transponder antenna to receive.  Elegant.  They mounted the Stratus under the panel where the LED's were visible if the pilot crouched down just a bit.

Our new J has an Avidyne AXP340 transponder, and no ADS-B in.  As a short term solution I've built a Stratux for <$200, and it works.  But compared to our prior system, the stratux requires battery charging, suction cups, and represents another potential flight distraction.  I see it as a regression.  I'd like built-in ship powered ADS-B in solution that is out of sight.  I don't want to put the stratux on the dash.  I don't want to run a long USB cable to the stratux.   I don't want suction cup rings on my windows.

I see that Avidyne makes an ADS-B in box that is priced as if it contains large amounts of precious metal.   To quote Dana Carvey doing George Bush: Na ganna da it.

Aside from swapping out the AXP340 for an Appareo xpdr with a stratus i, what are other options?

I never thought I would see this happen, but in software 10.3 Avidyne allows traffic and weather from a portable to be displayed on your IFD540. Check with Avidyne to see which portable they've had the best success with. I really like the Garmin GDL52 (it has ADS-B in and XM and AHRS).. The GDL 50 has ads-b in and AHRS. They work very well. I like them better that the Stratus. Your Avidyne IFD540 has bluetooth and wi-fi built in, unlike Garmin who makes you buy the $1595 FS-510 card.

[hammdo]

Be nice if Garmin did that also…

my GNC 355 has built in Bluetooth though…

[EricJ]

5 hours ago, LANCECASPER said:

I never thought I would see this happen, but in software 10.3 Avidyne allows traffic and weather from a portable to be displayed on your IFD540. Check with Avidyne to see which portable they've had the best success with. I really like the Garmin GDL52 (it has ADS-B in and XM and AHRS).. The GDL 50 has ads-b in and AHRS. They work very well. I like them better that the Stratus. Your Avidyne IFD540 has bluetooth and wi-fi built in, unlike Garmin who makes you buy the $1595 FS-510 card.

I forgot about that.   Because I alread have a Freeflight Ranger installed, I can't feed the IFD with the stratux unless I turn off the feed from the Ranger, since it can't do both.   But if the IFD does not already have an ADS-B-in feed it can get it from a stratux.

I've found having both is useful since they can both miss traffic that the other sees.   I have an old DME antenna on the belly feeding the Ranger, and the stratux has its own antennas usually in the rear window.   The differences in coverage mean each can miss traffic that the other sees.

[0TreeLemur]

5 hours ago, LANCECASPER said:

I never thought I would see this happen, but in software 10.3 Avidyne allows traffic and weather from a portable to be displayed on your IFD540. Check with Avidyne to see which portable they've had the best success with. I really like the Garmin GDL52 (it has ADS-B in and XM and AHRS).. The GDL 50 has ads-b in and AHRS. They work very well. I like them better that the Stratus. Your Avidyne IFD540 has bluetooth and wi-fi built in, unlike Garmin who makes you buy the $1595 FS-510 card.

My IFD540 is currently running 10.2.4.1   There must be an update..  Since I'm new to Avidyne, are updates free?   I can see he value of having traffic on the IFD.

That said, I really like having the iPad display traffic and wx.   I built my stratux at low cost so I could sell it on e-bay and break even pretty easily.   Y'all are giving me options to consider.   Wish that one clearly rose to the top!   

[Ragsf15e]

43 minutes ago, EricJ said:

I forgot about that.   Because I alread have a Freeflight Ranger installed, I can't feed the IFD with the stratux unless I turn off the feed from the Ranger, since it can't do both.   But if the IFD does not already have an ADS-B-in feed it can get it from a stratux.

I've found having both is useful since they can both miss traffic that the other sees.   I have an old DME antenna on the belly feeding the Ranger, and the stratux has its own antennas usually in the rear window.   The differences in coverage mean each can miss traffic that the other sees.

Interesting that they could miss some traffic?  Are you in an area without TISB?  I would think tis b traffic would fill in any aircraft the stratux or freeflight didn’t pick up directly?

[N201MKTurbo]

28 minutes ago, Ragsf15e said:

Interesting that they could miss some traffic?  Are you in an area without TISB?  I would think tis b traffic would fill in any aircraft the stratux or freeflight didn’t pick up directly?

The ATC radar is at KPHX and there is a mountain about 6 miles south of the airport. The ATC radar will miss a lot of traffic behind the mountain. You get a lot more with the direct reply’s than from TISB. And there is a huge amount of student traffic back there.

[LANCECASPER]

4 hours ago, 0TreeLemur said:

My IFD540 is currently running 10.2.4.1   There must be an update..  Since I'm new to Avidyne, are updates free?   I can see he value of having traffic on the IFD.

That said, I really like having the iPad display traffic and wx.   I built my stratux at low cost so I could sell it on e-bay and break even pretty easily.   Y'all are giving me options to consider.   Wish that one clearly rose to the top!   

Updates are free- Avidyne doesn’t charge. I used to do my own when I had an IFD550. The only charge if you take it to the dealer is their time - probably about an hour

Get on  forums.avidyne.com and you’ll find a wealth of information.

[EricJ]

2 hours ago, N201MKTurbo said:

The ATC radar is at KPHX and there is a mountain about 6 miles south of the airport. The ATC radar will miss a lot of traffic behind the mountain. You get a lot more with the direct reply’s than from TISB. And there is a huge amount of student traffic back there.

My Stratux is dual-band, so theoretically it should display everything that shows up on the IFD, but there are occassionally targets on the IFD that don't show up on the tablets (and vice versa).   I think this is just due to the different antenna placements, with the Ranger antenna external on the bottom of the airplane and the stratux inside the rear seat window.   There are probably also some sensitivity differences, but I don't know which would necessarily be better, I just don't expect them to be identical.

It's never bothered me, both are bonuses to have and both add to situational awareness, and I just know to scan both when I'm looking for targets to keep an eye out for.

[Mooney in Oz]

10 hours ago, 0TreeLemur said:

My IFD540 is currently running 10.2.4.1   There must be an update..  Since I'm new to Avidyne, are updates free?   I can see he value of having traffic on the IFD.

That said, I really like having the iPad display traffic and wx.   I built my stratux at low cost so I could sell it on e-bay and break even pretty easily.   Y'all are giving me options to consider.   Wish that one clearly rose to the top!   

G’day Fred.

About the last week of November 2021, Avidyne released 10.3.0.2 update and it is free. There has been a fair amount of complaints relating to a number software bugs. As Lance suggested, have a look at the Avidyne Live forum and enter 10.3 into the search function. You will see what I mean. A number of posters have reverted their units back to 10.2.

I had 10.3 installed and actually find it to be quite good. The most obvious and annoying bug is each time the unit is restarted, the comms default to KMLB frequencies, which is the location of the Avidyne factory.

Avidyne are actively working on a software release to get rid of the bugs, so you may want to wait until the software is released. For further info, the URL for Avidyne Live is http://forums.avidyne.com/forums.html

It is worthwhile to register and be kept up to date with the latest info. You can also participate, as you do here. The forum is monitored by an Avidyne software engineer (AviSteve) who chimes in to answer questions.

[MoonFlyer68]

I am going to add another option to the discussion. The Levil Aviation BOM. Think of a small torpedo looking device that you mount under your wing. It has an on board battery for start up and taxi, but once in flight the small impeller on the back spins to power the unit. This unit will give you AHRS, actual airspeed from a built in pilot, altitude based on current altimeter, and of course ADSB in. Off the top of my head I do not recall if it is dual band or just single. It interfaces with most all EFB programs and Levil has their own display software which is very nice. I can't say for certain, but it may also broadcast to your IFD once you update to 10.3

  I will say about 2 weeks after I installed the BOM I had a vacuum failure while dodging storms.  It was amazing to still have a display with attitude and heading.

Attached are pics of the BOM installed on my plane. Please excuse the paint, it is a work in progress.

[carusoam]

First question…

Does the BOM generate any visible yaw?

Visible, as in does the ball show an offset to the right…. Step on the ball to balance the yaw…

PP question only, not an instrument guru or aero guy…

Best regards,

-a-

[MoonFlyer68]

9 hours ago, carusoam said:

First question…

Does the BOM generate any visible yaw?

Visible, as in does the ball show an offset to the right…. Step on the ball to balance the yaw…

PP question only, not an instrument guru or aero guy…

Best regards,

-a-

No visible yaw that I have to correct for.

[0TreeLemur]

On 1/12/2023 at 7:20 AM, Mooney in Oz said:

G’day Fred.

About the last week of November 2021, Avidyne released 10.3.0.2 update and it is free. There has been a fair amount of complaints relating to a number software bugs. As Lance suggested, have a look at the Avidyne Live forum and enter 10.3 into the search function. You will see what I mean. A number of posters have reverted their units back to 10.2.

I had 10.3 installed and actually find it to be quite good. The most obvious and annoying bug is each time the unit is restarted, the comms default to KMLB frequencies, which is the location of the Avidyne factory.

Avidyne are actively working on a software release to get rid of the bugs, so you may want to wait until the software is released. For further info, the URL for Avidyne Live is http://forums.avidyne.com/forums.html

It is worthwhile to register and be kept up to date with the latest info. You can also participate, as you do here. The forum is monitored by an Avidyne software engineer (AviSteve) who chimes in to answer questions.

G'day and thanks for the important info Victor!  I've not had the opportunity to snoop the Avidyne Live site yet.  Plan to do that soon.

Yeah, I imagine it would be preferable for you if the frequency would at least default to an airport that starts with a "Y"!

This sounds like a good oppo to wait for an update rather than risk it.  The 10.2 software seems to work with no apparent problems, at least to this n00b.

[ZuluZulu]

My plane had a BOM on the right wing when I bought it.  I think I sold it after a month of flying.  It was constantly disconnecting and reconnecting to the iPad and turned out to be more annoyance than anything.  All my mentors/CFIs would ask, "what the hell is that?" quickly followed by "why?"  Plus it looks kinda silly on the Mooney's laminar wing, IMO, but YMMV.  If I had a Cub, 150, or even a 172 I'd probably install one but to me it interrupts the Mooney's sleek profile.  I'm glad you're getting more use out of yours than I did.