Flarm installation in a Duo Discus

[Juanman]

Anyone have experience installing a PowerFLARM in a Duo? We're thinking of putting the brick in the rear panel and antennas on top of the front panel, which may need some antenna extension cables. The display will probably be the rectangular one.

We'd also like to connect the Flarm to an SN10, probably using the supplied DB-9 connector.

Any suggestions are welcome.

Juan
LI

[bumper[_4_]]

On Wednesday, September 4, 2013 8:01:59 PM UTC-7, Juanman wrote:
> Anyone have experience installing a PowerFLARM in a Duo?
>
> Juan
>
> LI

Sorry Juan, I don't, though thought I'd mention that it is far better to have the antennas closer to the "Core" box than further away in order to minimize line loss in the coax.

The center fed dipole antenna leads are easy to shorten at the antenna end . . . moderate soldering skill required. I've done previous posts on the procedure.

all the best,

bumper

[Juanman]

On Monday, September 16, 2013 3:30:27 PM UTC-4, bumper wrote:
> On Wednesday, September 4, 2013 8:01:59 PM UTC-7, Juanman wrote:
>
> > Anyone have experience installing a PowerFLARM in a Duo?
>
> >
>
> > Juan
>
> >
>
> > LI
>
>
>
> Sorry Juan, I don't, though thought I'd mention that it is far better to have the antennas closer to the "Core" box than further away in order to minimize line loss in the coax.
>
>
>
> The center fed dipole antenna leads are easy to shorten at the antenna end . . . moderate soldering skill required. I've done previous posts on the procedure.
>
>
>
> all the best,
>
>
>
> bumper

Thanks Bumper. We were able to install the core under the front panel. The Flarm antenna is a problem because it hits the canopy if put in the front of the panel. We may have to build a small bridge to bring it further back.

[JS]

Flew a Duo last week with FLARM install.
The Core (brick) was in the rear panel. This allows short antenna cables to the dipoles partially submerged in the rear panel cowling. Drill holes through the cowl for grommets which the antennas can protrude through. I've seen this antenna mounting with single seater installations too. Not much sticking above the panel.
Jim

[Juanman]

On Tuesday, September 17, 2013 2:21:58 PM UTC-4, JS wrote:
> Flew a Duo last week with FLARM install.
>
> The Core (brick) was in the rear panel. This allows short antenna cables to the dipoles partially submerged in the rear panel cowling. Drill holes through the cowl for grommets which the antennas can protrude through. I've seen this antenna mounting with single seater installations too. Not much sticking above the panel.
>
> Jim

Does this put the antennas behind the front pilot's head? That's not recommended.

[RuudH]

Op donderdag 5 september 2013 05:01:59 UTC+2 schreef Juanman:
> Anyone have experience installing a PowerFLARM in a Duo? We're thinking of putting the brick in the rear panel and antennas on top of the front panel, which may need some antenna extension cables. The display will probably be the rectangular one.
>

I installed a PowerFlarm core (IGC/ENL) in my DuoDiscusXT in April this year with 2 Butterfly square displays.
The PowerFlarm core is beneath the cover of the rear instrument panel with the RF antenna currently on the righthand side of this cover and the ADS-B antenna on the lefthand side.
This temporary installation already gives a satisfactory PowerFlarm Radio Range Analysis
See https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/35654093/powerflarm-range2.png

I'm planning to put the RF antenna on a higher position on the rear instrument panel and also install a 2nd RF antenna for better reception.

There is an issue with the Butterfly square display that is giving non essential information (a large red Butterfly logo) when PowerFlarm is working OK but is not receiving traffic within range.
See https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/35654093/butterfly-fwd-panel.jpg and https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/35654093/butterfly-rear-panel.jpg
I think that displaying big red logo should be avoided in any cockpit under normal flight conditions.
See also my other posting on this subject.