Andy Durbin wrote:
"The PowerFLARM� and any associated aerials should be located as
far
away as possible -- at least 30 cm (1 ft) -- away from any other GPS

aerial and the magnetic compass."

Luke


You guys ARE joking, right??

Cookie

No one is joking but it is very disturbing to be told about this
installation constraint after having placed an order and sent in a
payment.

The constraint, if complied with, will make it almost impossible to
fit the
unit in a glider equipped for contest flying.


Andy

This should not surprise anybody and I can think of a lot more to be
"highly disturbed" about in life than this. C'mon we really are not
whining about this are we?

You cannot undo the laws of electrodynamics. The compass is going to be
affected by components in the PowerFLARM and by electrical currents.
Cautious advice like this from a vendor is entirely appropriate for a
device that might well get put up on a glareshield near the compass in a
certified (even IFR) aircraft.

Now why is it a worry? How many of us rely on our compasses? To high
accuracy? The manual is just providing a suitable caution and covering
FLARM's ass.

What is actually much more important is the correct installation with
respect to the antennas being free of conductive obstructions/surfaces
as the manual warns. Still I just know we'll stumble across these units
and antennas buried behind panels with owners unsure why they don't work
properly.

Darryl