Folks,

I just got a phone message from Mike Schmidt, of Emergency Lifesaving Technologies to the effect that their new 406 ELT is now fully certified and being shipped.

Here's a link to their web site, with some discussion as to why this is likely the best of the new bunch of beacons: http://www.elt406.net/

This is the first ELT for general aviation aircraft that comes with an onboard GPS unit. Poke around on their website, and you'll find an explanation of why it is important to have an onboard GPS on an ELT.

Aircraft Spruce is a dealer.

MTV

MTV,

Since this new unit is 406 only, I assume it is designed to be added to an aircraft with 121.5?

As I understand it, 121.5 is still required even though it may not be monitored. So, if I were to put this in a new aircraft, such as an experimental that was built, then I would still have to add the 121.5.

Looks like a nice unit and I like the GPS.

Nope, 121.5 MHz is no longer required. The only thing that 121.5 transmitters on a 406 beacon do is provide SAR the ability to direction find on your beacon. That is because the 406 signal is a digital burst signal, and cannot be D/F'd by SAR.

This beacon transmits a set of GPS coordinates, which provides SAR with your specific location, within 30 meters. Thus, the 121.5 feature is no longer needed.

The other advantage of this beacon is that it is the only one that uses a solid state G switch, rather than the old style "ball bearing in a tube with springs" G switch. Those old style switches are notoriously failure prone, activating when you DON'T want them to, and not when you do.

MTV

Really actually out the door, I have been getting the next week story for almost 8 months

Yep, as has been the case with all the new ELT manufacturers, these guys have been THINKING they should be approved momentarily for several months. Mostly paper sitting on FAA desk somewhere.

He sounded like a VERY happy gent when he called me to let me know that they are shipping.

MTV

MTV,

Thanks for the info, it looks like this one finally has the modern design features we've all been hoping for. I spoke with Mike on the phone today and he also sent the email below. The antenna can be mounted inside the fuselage of fabric & compoaite planes! That is a very welcome technology advance in addition to everything else!

Hello Mike,

I left a voicemail for you as well.

We do not make a smaller antenna due to the built in GPS functionality of our unit.

However, I do have a solution for you. Part of the reason we built this antenna with a low profile is so we could hide it under fabric and composite surfaces. All you would need to do on your fabric aircraft is construct a ground plane for the antenna inside the tail section, mount the antenna there and you’re all set. That way you don’t have any external ELT antenna at all. The optimal ground plane is an 18” round plate, but we have found it works nearly as well with a 10”x10” square plate.

Not only does our antenna have the dual function of GPS and 406, but it is also dual-polarized. This gives it a 270 degree transmission field meaning that if you should come to rest in an unusual attitude our antenna will still be transmitting a full power signal in an upward direction.

Please feel free to contact me directly at the number below if you have any further questions. I’m happy to help.

Best regards, ---Mike

MIKE SCHMIDT
Vice President, Sales and Marketing
Direct: 509/879-8920

A couple of things I forgot to add in the previous post:

1. The battery is good for 5 years. It is owner/user replaceable (with a logbook entry, too) and costs $200. At first I thought this was a steep price, and it is, but the battery is bonded to the base plate to protect it during a crash so the survivability of the battery is much better than standard units - a big plus. Still at $40/year it could be better. Offsetting that cost is the next item.

2. I'm told most 406mhz ELT'S need to be tested (every 2yrs???, can someone correct me if this is wrong) by an avionics shop with specialized test equipment. This one can be certified by the owner/operator via the 5 lights on the control panel and a logbook sign off. That should save some $'s and offset the battery cost. I don't know what shops are charging to certify an ELT, but I'm guessing it won't be less than $75.

Either way, it sounds like, at least for now, not only are the 406 units more expensive to buy, but also to maintain. Big Surprise!!

On the bright side, this unit has much greater survivability (probability of actually activating) and SAR will know you're down and the exact location (GPS) within minutes, if it activates. The faster response and greater odds of activation make the $1,399.00 purchase price justifiable in my book, although I wish it were less.

SO, the ACK E-04 is getting ready to ship, and technologically comparable to this unit, right?

2. I'm told most 406mhz ELT'S need to be tested (every 2yrs???, can someone correct me if this is wrong) by an avionics shop with specialized test equipment. This one can be certified by the owner/operator via the 5 lights on the control panel and a logbook sign off. That should save some $'s and offset the battery cost. I don't know what shops are charging to certify an ELT, but I'm guessing it won't be less than $75.

Blackrock
I don't have exact knowledge of the avionics shop having ability to test this unit, but the advantage of a multi frequency ELT is when you test it using inertia it will signal on 121.5 and you can test or listen on your radio. You still don't know if it's transmitting on 406 and this unit the same? Or trust the lights? Don't know of any IA's that have 406 receivers to test does anybody else?.

denalipilot wrote:SO, the ACK E-04 is getting ready to ship, and technologically comparable to this unit, right?

The ACK E-04 ELT and most others on the market do not have integrated GPS.

Unlike your GPS personal locator beacon from ACR, McMurdo etc. they don't have a GPS chipset built in. They transmit a digital signal in the 406mhz range but the satellites still must use Doppler to locate them which still takes some time and is still somewhat inherently inaccurate. Of course another advantage over 121.5 analog is the new signal transmits identifying info about the unit to the satellite which means if it is registered by one of the worldwide authorities (such as NOAA) they will know which aircraft, boat, PLB owner it is associated with. Makes it much easier to track down the situation. But no GPS coordinates.

Most will accept a signal through a cable from newer onboard GPS units such as the GNS-430 or glass panels, but most of us don't have something like that installed. Or you can buy a "box" for it - one more thing that costs money and requires installation with another antenna.

There are other brands that have an integrated GPS but they are about a grand more than the one MTV is recommending.

The ACK is a good unit and meets all of the requirements for COSPAS-SARSAT certification. It is also about half the price of the Emerging Lifesaving Technology unit which certainly makes it very attractive. I'm certainly no expert, but from what I understand these are the major differences (maybe others can chime in here):

1. The Emg. Life.Tech. unit uses a solid-state g-switch, and as far as I know they are the only company to do so. My understanding is that g-switch failure in older units (sine they are mechanical devices) is a leading cause of failures to activate. The solid state switch should solve that problem. So this would be the biggest reason why I would choose the Emg. Life. Tech. ELT over their competition.

2. The antenna is vertically and horizontally polarized meaning it will transmit in a 270 degree radius instead of just off the end of the antenna. Apparently this allows for antenna installation inside fabric and composite fuselages.

3. The GPS is built into the Emg. Life. Tech. unit and the ACK receives the GPS signal from a remote mounted GPS (I don't believe this makes any real difference).

4. Emg. Life. Tech. unit transmits only on 406mhz while ACK's transmits on 406 and 121.5.

5. Batteries for the ACK cost $100 vs $200 for the Emg. Life. Tech. batteries. However, the $200 batteries are bonded onto the base plate meaning the are more like to stay in place and remain operational in a crash.

6. Weight. The Emg. Life. Tech. unit weighs 4 lbs vs ACK's 1.75 lbs.

If someone talks to ACK about their g-switch to verify weather it is the old style mechanical or new style solid state switch, perhaps they can post ACK's answer here.

3. The GPS is built into the Emg. Life. Tech. unit and the ACK receives the GPS signal from a remote mounted GPS (I don't believe this makes any real difference).

So the AKC can interface with an external GPS such as a hand held if wired?

So the AKC can interface with an external GPS such as a hand held if wired?

Yes, that is correct provided the portable has a suitable output signal and jack. The following detail's are from ACK's web site:

Do all your new ACK E-04 406 ELT’s have GPS interface?
Yes, every E-04 ELT we build will have a GPS interface.
Do I have to connect the GPS interface for my ELT installation to be legal?
No, the GPS interface is optional but recommended.
What GPS data formats, and baud rates do you’re new E-04 ELT’s accept?
The new E-04 will accept Bendix/King, Garmin aviation format @9600 baud, or NEMA 0183 input @1200, 2400, 4800, or 9600 baud.
Can I interface a handheld GPS into the ACK E-04?
Yes, virtually all handheld GPS devices output the NEMA 0183 data format.
How does the ACK E-04 handle the GPS data input?
The E-04 receives the data input from your GPS at the same rate your GPS outputs the data. (Typically once per second) The ELT uses the last data received from your GPS as its location when the ELT is activated either manually or by the crash sensor.
What will I need to interface my GPS into the new ACK E-04 ELT?
You will need 3 shielded wires, 24 gauge or greater. (Power, Ground, and RS232 Data) The A+ and A/C ground wire will need to reach where aircraft buss power is available, to your ELT mounting location. The RS-232 data line needs to extend from your navigation equipment data output, to your ELT mounting location.
What kind of connector does your E-04 ELT use to connect to my GPS?
The GPS interface uses a 4 pin MINI DIN circular connector. The mating plug will be supplied with the ELT.

Looks like the Ameriking also

Glidergeek wrote:3. The GPS is built into the Emg. Life. Tech. unit and the ACK receives the GPS signal from a remote mounted GPS (I don't believe this makes any real difference).

So the AKC can interface with an external GPS such as a hand held if wired?

The ACK will interface with an on-board GPS, or a panel mounted hand-held. In the absence of both, one buys a puck-like GPS transmitter like the Garmin GPS18C for $100 for GPS data.