Tankerpilot75
Well Known Member
I currently have the EDMO E-01 121.5 ELT installed in my RV7A. I read where the FCC no longer allows the sale or support of these ELT units therefore I?m thinking it?s time to upgrade to a 406 MHz unit on my next condition inspection. I understand the unit, antenna and remote switch must be replaced when upgraded.
From what I read it appears there are two units that are comparably priced (under $550) and are direct replacements for my current unit. One is the ACK 406/121.5 MHz E04 ELT; and the other is the ARTEX 345 gps 406/121.5 MHz ELT. Both units appear to meet FAA requirements without a gps input but obviously work better with a RS232 feed from a Garmin 430 (non-WAAS) unit. According to Aircraft Spruce customer reviews both units have their pros and cons.
The ACK unit requires three different types of batteries with different replacement schedules. However it has a twenty degree sweep back antenna with a molded plastic base. The ARTEX unit uses one 6 year lithium battery to power everything but has a straight black whip antenna that some customer reviews didn?t like. My questions:
1. If you?ve installed or replaced your ELT recently which unit did you use and why?
2. If you ran a wire from a 430 gps unit to the ELT which ?pin? did you use for the gps feed on the 430?
3. Overall, how difficult was the swap out?
Thanks in advance for your input.
From what I read it appears there are two units that are comparably priced (under $550) and are direct replacements for my current unit. One is the ACK 406/121.5 MHz E04 ELT; and the other is the ARTEX 345 gps 406/121.5 MHz ELT. Both units appear to meet FAA requirements without a gps input but obviously work better with a RS232 feed from a Garmin 430 (non-WAAS) unit. According to Aircraft Spruce customer reviews both units have their pros and cons.
The ACK unit requires three different types of batteries with different replacement schedules. However it has a twenty degree sweep back antenna with a molded plastic base. The ARTEX unit uses one 6 year lithium battery to power everything but has a straight black whip antenna that some customer reviews didn?t like. My questions:
1. If you?ve installed or replaced your ELT recently which unit did you use and why?
2. If you ran a wire from a 430 gps unit to the ELT which ?pin? did you use for the gps feed on the 430?
3. Overall, how difficult was the swap out?
Thanks in advance for your input.