I received my 406 MHz ELT yesterday, so this is a good time to install. The unit is the ACK Industries Model E-04. It cost just under $600. It has a GPS interface, but not a built in GPS.
I started by installing the remote. That's the thing that allows you to check or to activate the ELT manually. It also has a red light that tells you if the ELT has been triggered, as well as having specific flash patterns to tell you if the batteries are getting low.
With the dimensions supplied by the manufacturer I layed out the rectangle for the ELT, in the flange face of one of the turtle deck formers. It's fairly out of the way, doesn't take up panel space, and can be easily seen by the pilot.
I put painter's tape around the rectangle to protect the paint from the nippers and files (photo 1 after cutting out the opening).
I drilled large holes at each end, then put the manual nippers in the holes and enlarged the hole until it was a rectangle. I then used a couple of different files and sandpaper to get to the final size and to smooth out the opening.
Tape to protect paint and define area to cut.
ELT remote loosely installed (I need the right screws to install)
