ADS-B Installation Gallery

Panel cover
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • The author upgraded an obsolete and failing Narco 50A transponder to a modern Stratus ESG transponder and Stratus 2S.
  • The installation involved removing old equipment, installing a new rack, a higher-accuracy encoder (25 ft.), and routing new antenna cables.
  • A new GPS antenna was carefully drilled, positioned, and sealed on the aircraft fuselage to provide enhanced satellite information to the Stratus 2S.
  • This modernization improved the aircraft's transponder capabilities, altitude reporting accuracy, and the Stratus 2S's GPS functionality.
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Narco 50A rack, transponder, and encoder
Transponder rack installation

The Narco 50A rack, transponder and encoder. Out with the old to make way for the new. The weight of the old equipment was recorded in order to update the weight and balance for my airplane.

The installation begins with the installation of the new rack in the panel. The rack easily fit in the old location between the frame rails. Some new mounting holes were necessary for installation.
Encoder
My new encoder. Only 3 wires required, and improved accuracy. The older encoder could have worked, but it provides 200 ft. accuracy, while the new encoder provides 25 ft. accuracy.

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