To comply, what is needed is ADSB out, correct?
For an experimental what would be the easiest cheapes ADSB out?

I'd probably say skyBeacon or tailBeacon from uAvionix:

https://uavionix.com/

Doesn't look like it gets much easier to install than either of those.

It'll likely only be legal in the US since it runs on the UAT frequency (978MHz) and not 1090MHz like an ADSB out transponder would. 978MHz is only good <18,000 feet, too. Above that requires 1090MHz. So I'd keep that in mind when choosing.

Any updates on this thread?

What options are there for off the shelf, cost-effective ADSB systems which complies with the standards / rules?

(I am ignoring the experimental part, as I believe the system needs to comply with the standards if you want to use it in controlled airspace. Not really interested in DIY solutions or R&D type stuff, just commercial off the shelf solutions.)

Besides uAvionix the next best option for off the shelf is the kit sold by RST Engineering. He's working out a deal with really good pricing on the Stratus ESG. It is an all in one solution that replaces your transponder. If you are an EAA or AOPA member you get a better price than he has listed on his webpage, email him, the price is really good.

The deal with these units is that they MEET TSO but are marked experimental. According to him they are the exact same units just without the paperwork. According to the regs it only needs to meet the TSO. He can explain more if you have questions.

I'm in no way associated with him, but he's a good dude who has been in the avionics business for a long time.

RST Engineering | Appareo-Stratus ESG ADSB

From the page:

This is a combination solid-state 4096 code transponder, internal WAAS GPS and internal ADSB that meets all the TSO requirements for all aircraft flight in the United States ATC airspace. It comes complete with mounting shell and GPS antenna. In addition, RST Engineering supplies 2 TNC connectors, 12' of RG-174 coax cable to connect the unit to the supplied GPS antenna, and a complete CDROM with installation instructions and FAA approval documentation. The box this unit is shipped in is marked "Experimental".

There has been some question about whether this unit can be installed in both experimental and standard category aircraft. That discussion is covered in an Application Note that I will be happy to send you by return email to the email address below.

The owner/installer will need a transponder antenna and an altitude encoder such as the RST-532 (ACK A-30) described on a separate web page.

Thanks very much for that option, it looks very promising and I will investigate further.

I’ve got an echoUAT in the box, but work’s been insane and I haven’t had time to get to the hangar, haha.

TailBeacon installed and out burning avgas.

Battson wrote:...What options are there for off the shelf, cost-effective ADSB systems which complies with the standards / rules?...

What are the rules / requirements in NZ for ADS-B?
Is there a current mandate, or a future one pending?
uAvionix makes a nice box, the Echo, ADS-B in & out and reasonably priced.
But it is 978 UAT like the skybeacon & tailbeacon, and garmin GDL82,
NOT 1090 ES like the units which incorporate ADS-B into a transponder.

I installed a Tailbeacon on my 180,
you couldn't ask for an easier install or simpler programming,

DeltaRomeo wrote:TailBeacon installed and out burning avgas.

And being tracked all the while

hotrod180 wrote:

Battson wrote:...What options are there for off the shelf, cost-effective ADSB systems which complies with the standards / rules?...

What are the rules / requirements in NZ for ADS-B?
Is there a current mandate, or a future one pending?
uAvionix makes a nice box, the Echo, ADS-B in & out and reasonably priced.
But it is 978 UAT like the skybeacon & tailbeacon, and garmin GDL82,
NOT 1090 ES like the units which incorporate ADS-B into a transponder.

I installed a Tailbeacon on my 180,
you couldn't ask for an easier install or simpler programming,

Yes... unfortunately we are limited to the ES system here. The UAT devices operate on a bandwidth which conflicts with our mobile phone system.
A quick look at the UAvionix system yesterday ruled it out.

Battson wrote:

hotrod180 wrote:

Battson wrote:...What options are there for off the shelf, cost-effective ADSB systems which complies with the standards / rules?...

What are the rules / requirements in NZ for ADS-B?
Is there a current mandate, or a future one pending?
uAvionix makes a nice box, the Echo, ADS-B in & out and reasonably priced.
But it is 978 UAT like the skybeacon & tailbeacon, and garmin GDL82,
NOT 1090 ES like the units which incorporate ADS-B into a transponder.

I installed a Tailbeacon on my 180,
you couldn't ask for an easier install or simpler programming,

Yes... unfortunately we are limited to the ES system here. The UAT devices operate on a bandwidth which conflicts with our mobile phone system.
A quick look at the UAvionix system yesterday ruled it out.

Seems like UAvonix was looking for TailBeacon ES testers a few months ago...had to be experimental.

Ended up buying a tail beacon, hope to install it next week.

Battson wrote:Yes... unfortunately we are limited to the ES system here. The UAT devices operate on a bandwidth which conflicts with our mobile phone system.
A quick look at the UAvionix system yesterday ruled it out.

Trig is advertising an experimental "bundle" for $3KUS and lists support in New Zealand on their web site.

https://www.trig-avionics.com/product/ads-b-tn72-bundle/

My frustration with the ES bundles (and why I ended up going UAT even though I really wanted to go ES) is that none of the cheaper “experimental” versions are in/out. Maybe it’s a lack of market demand, but I can’t see why something similar to the echoUAT couldn’t be made to support ES. It’s an in/out system that doesn’t require an extra “in” box to be mounted under the dash.

Some of the smaller GA planes have limited under-dash space.

Ok, I’m done ranting!

I installed the trig 2020 bundle in my Bearhawk Patrol. I didn’t have a transponder and had very little real estate available on my panel. The TT22 control head is small, it’s a mode S transponder, the install was easy, and it was by far the most cost effective solution. If you need a transponder or need to upgrade an old one, this is a very good solution. Aircraft Spruce has this bundle for $2750 USD.

mpm wrote:I installed the trig 2020 bundle in my Bearhawk Patrol. I didn’t have a transponder and had very little real estate available on my panel. The TT22 control head is small, it’s a mode S transponder, the install was easy, and it was by far the most cost effective solution. If you need a transponder or need to upgrade an old one, this is a very good solution. Aircraft Spruce has this bundle for $2750 USD.

The link I posted is significantly less than that with the EAA/AOPA discount and it's a full up transponder/ADSB solution.

Another solution that’s a lot cheaper than the tailbeacon if you already have a mode C transponder and an approved WAAS GPS source is the echo-uat. Its listed at $999 bare as of Oct. 2021.

GRT bundles their WAAS GPS source and the echo-uat for about $1500 if you don’t have a GPS.


https://uavionix.com/products/echo-uat/

C180_guy wrote:

DeltaRomeo wrote:TailBeacon installed and out burning avgas.

And being tracked all the while

You know, as long as you are using a 978 UAT unit like the TailBeacon, there is no need to program in your N number. I have observed targets on my Foreflight that were named "VFR," "Floatplane," and other names that would satisfy those of you who don't want to be tracked. You use the app to program in whatever you want.

The uncontrolled airspace around Anchorage is incredibly busy and I have made many changes in my flight path (ascending, descending, etc) based on what the ADS-B is showing me. You can't always see what's out the window depending on where other aircraft are converging from. I have found ADS-B to be a terrific safety enhancement in the busy airspace around here. And with ADS-B towers around here, at least we see all the other aircraft with at least a transponder. Unfortunately, there are still a lot of aircraft with nothing. It is very easy to just put the iPad in your instrument scan as you fly along with your eyes mostly outside the cockpit.

As for cost, uAvionix for ADS-B out, Sentry or Stratus for ADS-B in displaying on your iPad with Foreflight is a pretty cheap solution for a great safety enhancement.

Ross

Just a heads up on the tailbeacon. Several folks I talked to before I bought mine cautioned me that since it's a "repeater" UAT system it's constantly pinging your transponder - and with the older ones like my ancient king transponder are not accustomed to being pinged once or twice a second and it will cause them to prematurely fail.

As with all things, sometimes you can spend a dollar trying to save a dime. If the $2k tailbeacon eventually causes your antique transponder to fail you might be into it for morelike $7k (new 5k transponder + cost of install).

I did it anyway because I think I'll be able to re-sell the tailbeacon in short oder if my xponder fails. It just bought be time to think about when best to upgrade.

GTX327’s are everywhere for cheap since the rich folk throw them out for ADSB txp’s. They are nice digital ones with all the bells and whistles. If your analog one goes out due to tailbeacon, I’d recommend a used 327.

I switched my old knob txp to a 327 in about an hour of tray swap and re-pin connector. Affordable and easy.