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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GPS antenna from the top

My new GPS antenna location. It must not be shadowed by other antennas, which required measuring from the proposed location to the other antennas in that location. Getting it straight was done using our eyes from several different locations. There were no definite body lines to follow. Several minutes were devoted to checking the orientation of the antenna from every angle. Once we were satisfied, the four mounting holes were drilled. Once again, I sat inside the airplane with a cup to catch the metal while Jacob drilled the holes.

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