SkyLarkin wrote:I'm installing a ACK E-04 at my up coming annual and had some questions regarding the GPS interface capability. The only GPS I have is a Garmin 60C that is great for snowmachining and other outdoor business use but I realize is probably not the best for aviation. One thing I was wondering, as I start to invest $$$, is if an iPad mini with gps is capable of providing the ACK with the necessary information or not? If not then what are some recommendations for a reasonably priced Garmin gps that does interface with the ACK.

Most/all of my flying is fair weather within 100 miles of my home base in terrain I am very familiar with but I would like to venture further out in Alaska and possibly the lower 48 someday. The iPad seems like a good fit for my use but I would like to have the gps feature for my elt too.

Thanks, Randy

You want to be found? Get a tracker like an inReach or SPOT. ELT's fail in approx 80% of crashes. You'll never be able to hook up an ELT to a portable GPS, you'll need a panel mount like a 430/530 or similar.

Bonanza Man wrote:

SkyLarkin wrote:I'm installing a ACK E-04 at my up coming annual and had some questions regarding the GPS interface capability. The only GPS I have is a Garmin 60C that is great for snowmachining and other outdoor business use but I realize is probably not the best for aviation. One thing I was wondering, as I start to invest $$$, is if an iPad mini with gps is capable of providing the ACK with the necessary information or not? If not then what are some recommendations for a reasonably priced Garmin gps that does interface with the ACK.

Most/all of my flying is fair weather within 100 miles of my home base in terrain I am very familiar with but I would like to venture further out in Alaska and possibly the lower 48 someday. The iPad seems like a good fit for my use but I would like to have the gps feature for my elt too.

Thanks, Randy

You want to be found? Get a tracker like an inReach or SPOT. ELT's fail in approx 80% of crashes. You'll never be able to hook up an ELT to a portable GPS, you'll need a panel mount like a 430/530 or similar.

Interesting. Is a 396 a portable? That's what mine is hooked to with a light hard wired in and I watch it flash all the time as it receives coordinates from the 396.

My ACK E-04 is connected to the NMEA 0183 output on my old Garmin 76CS handheld GPS. Works fine.

My 'plane is a homebuilt though. Perhaps what I've done would not be allowed on a certified aircraft (???).

Look at page 2 of the ACK install manual. Section : The ELT Overview:

The model E-04
ELT may be installed without interfacing it to the aircraft GPS system, however we strongly
recommend that when available the GPS data be supplied to the ELT. For aircraft which do
not have GPS data available, the unit can be interfaced with a low cost GPS data receiver,
such as the Garmin GPS 18PC which is available for less than $75.00. (Note: these
receivers require a 5V supply. One model has a cigarette lighter plug with a built in
regulator, or you can use a 5V switching power supply, such as Digi-Key P/N 811-1116-ND)

http://www.ackavionics.com/pdf/E-04_REV_1.7_SINGLE_PAGE_REDUCED.pdf

NunavutPA-12 wrote:My ACK E-04 is connected to the NMEA 0183 output on my old Garmin 76CS handheld GPS. Works fine.

My 'plane is a homebuilt though. Perhaps what I've done would not be allowed on a certified aircraft (???).

Thanks for all the replies. I did read the statement on page 2 of the manual but then on page 18 it talks about Garmin "X96" portable series such as 469, 596 etc. so I wasn't real sure where my 60c fit in. I think the next time I go to Anchorage I'll swing by Northern Lights Avionics and see what they say and have them make me up an interface cable if my GPS is compatible.

I do have a spot and I use both that, my cell phone and my GPS every week during the winter in my "back country"non aviation business and have a pretty good feel for the range and reliability of each device. Non of them are perfect but the GPS has the most reliable coverage of the three. My spot is a gen3 and works much better than my previous gen2 but there are definite dead zones in the areas I travel.

I was looking at the ELT antenna when I took it out of the box and was surprised that the first 7 inches or so are a hard non flexible plastic and looks like it could break easier than if the whole length was flexible like in the older style ELT antennas. The installation manual does point out other antenna models can be used and gives the specs. Not real comforting to hear the plastic can deteriorate so quickly.

SkyLarkin wrote:I do have a spot and I use both that, my cell phone and my GPS every week during the winter in my "back country"non aviation business and have a pretty good feel for the range and reliability of each device. Non of them are perfect but the GPS has the most reliable coverage of the three. My spot is a gen3 and works much better than my previous gen2 but there are definite dead zones in the areas I travel.

Off topic, but I never had a coverage drop on my Delorme InReach up there.

Closing the loop from an earlier post; ACK is sending me a replacement antenna (free of charge) to replace my antenna with the cracked base. They reformulated the plastic used for the bases after cracking a few years ago in Alaska. Replacement should be durable in the cold (we will see). They caution not to expose the antenna to a avgas or solvents.