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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Hole for GPS antenna

The new hole in my airplane. Gulp. That made me nervous. Once it is drilled, you can’t change your mind on where you want your antenna. Jacob used a step drill in the thin sheet metal. I sat inside with a cup under the skin to catch the metal shavings.

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