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Rob's REBVAIR Project
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Date:  9-7-2018
Number of Hours:  1.00
Manual Reference:  
Brief Description:  Transponder and ADS-B antennae

With the plane on its gear, it was now appropriate to install the transponder and ADS-B 'in' antennae.

The TED 104-12 is designed for transponder use, is located under the co-pilot and is connected to the TT31. The 104.17 antenna, designed for UAT 978 MHz, has an acceptable VSWR of 1.5:1 at 1090 MHz, so it can function as a dual-use antenna. Its cable terminates at the stratux receiver I built for $120 (installed behind the panel) and will display traffic and weather on the GRT EFIS.

The EFIS has a USB port but regrettably doesn't support the Stratux's GDL90 output (transmitted via USB and/or WIFI), so a clumsy USB-to-RS232 converter cable is needed to connect the two boxes. Hopefully Stratux or GRT will write some code to streamline this connection.

Also, the Stratux runs on 5V (through the Raspberry Pi micro usb port) so it gets its power through the 4-port USB hub also buried under the panel. The USB hub has been reported to be free of significant EMI/RFI interference (housed in a metal box) and is anecdotally recommended by GRT. Fortunately, the hub was already purchased for just this scenario, but this highlights how using modern "portable" devices requires a builder to consider both 12V and 5V power distribution.

While not a hugely common problem, 5V USB voltage converters have been shown to diminish VHF comm performance (web info and my local avionics installer's experience) and possibly GPS reception. I will need to pay very close attention to the USB hub and the 2-plug converter in the glove box as potential sources of EMI/RMI, especially given this aircraft's dependence on WAAS GPS for IFR navigation (think interference during an RNAV approach). There are fully TSO'd solutions if this does become an issue.
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ads-b TED antenna

ads-b TED antenna

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stratux buried under the panel

stratux buried under the panel

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