ELT replacement advice?

I'm replacing the batteries in an old ELT this March in my Discus CS. Alternately, I was thinking of installing a fully self contained ELT with GPS.

Looking for advice on what others are doing including manufacturers and models, antenna placement issues and practicality.

Thanks in advance!

On Wednesday, January 4, 2017 at 10:24:09 AM UTC-8, Doug B wrote:
I'm replacing the batteries in an old ELT this March in my Discus CS. Alternately, I was thinking of installing a fully self contained ELT with GPS.

Looking for advice on what others are doing including manufacturers and models, antenna placement issues and practicality.

Thanks in advance!

The older ELTs do not communicate with the newer satellite systems (406MHz) and the older 121.5 frequency is unmonitored, except by ground stations.

Check out this link for all the details:
https://www.aopa.org/training-and-sa...nsmitters-elts

Mike

At 21:52 04 January 2017, SoaringXCellence wrote:
On Wednesday, January 4, 2017 at 10:24:09 AM UTC-8, Doug B wrote:
I'm replacing the batteries in an old ELT this March in my Discus CS.
Alternately, I was thinking of installing a fully self contained ELT with
GPS.

Looking for advice on what others are doing including manufacturers and
models, antenna placement issues and practicality.

Thanks in advance!

The older ELTs do not communicate with the newer satellite systems
(406MHz)
and the older 121.5 frequency is unmonitored, except by ground stations.

Check out this link for all the details:
https://www.aopa.org/training-and-sa...ts/safety-and-
technique/operations/emergency-locator-transmitters-elts

Mike
a new installation has to be 406Mhz

Vern

You might want to consider a PLB - 406 + 121.5 with GPS.

If you have to use your chute and have a PLB in your pocket, it will do
you
more good than an ELT signal from wherever the glider ends up.

I bought one of these:

http://www.mcmurdogroup.com/mcmurdo-...urdo-fastfind-
ranger/

On Wednesday, January 4, 2017 at 10:24:09 AM UTC-8, Doug B wrote:
Looking for advice on what others are doing including manufacturers and models,
antenna placement issues and practicality.

In a crash, an ELT might not activate, and even if it does, the antenna might be broken or below the wreckage. Or you might end up in a ravine and out of sight of satellites.

If you use a inReach or SPOT, then, using the basic tracking, you will leave a trail of "bread crumbs" collected every 10 minutes at the vendor's website. If you crash, then the last recorded position will be within 10 minutes of the crash site. If you're lucky, the device will survive the crash and pinpoint your location.

So, IMHO, this is a better solution to the hassle of dealing with an ELT.

I prefer inReach as it confirms your position update has been received. The SPOT transmits in the blind and there's a possibility your last (few) position report was not received.

5Z

Not an ELT per se, but I carry a Personal Locator beacon
https://www.rei.com/product/843146/acr-electronics-resqlink-gps-personal-locator-beacon?CAWELAID=120217890000772244&CAGPSPN=pla&CAA GID=15877485520&CATCI=pla-163136377720&cm_mmc=PLA_Google%7C404_11131%7C84314 60001%7Cnone%7C5faf6cb3-5197-4e05-8045-91a888915a15%7Cpla-163136377720&lsft=cm_mmc:PLA_Google_LIA%7C404_1113 1%7C8431460001%7Cnone%7C5faf6cb3-5197-4e05-8045-91a888915a15%7Cpla-163136377720&gclid=COC_v5DyqdECFQyHaQodNwMCyA.
It's connected to my parachute harness. It does require me to be
conscious to activate it, however.

On 1/4/2017 11:24 AM, Doug B wrote:
I'm replacing the batteries in an old ELT this March in my Discus CS. Alternately, I was thinking of installing a fully self contained ELT with GPS.

Looking for advice on what others are doing including manufacturers and models, antenna placement issues and practicality.

Thanks in advance!

--
Dan, 5J

I got the PLB and thought I'd attach it to the chute somehow, but the rigger warned me about possible interference with the chute opening. E.g., what looks like a simple shoulder strap actually opens up and turns into multiple ropes that connect to different points in the opened chute. Also don't want the PLB to interfere with the seat belt. Havn't found a mounting solution yet, that would be both safe and comfortable, and secure in the sense that if I bail out the PLB would likely stay attached to the chute (or me).. Ideas?

Am Freitag, 6. Januar 2017 19:31:09 UTC+1 schrieb :
I got the PLB and thought I'd attach it to the chute somehow, but the rigger warned me about possible interference with the chute opening. E.g., what looks like a simple shoulder strap actually opens up and turns into multiple ropes that connect to different points in the opened chute. Also don't want the PLB to interfere with the seat belt. Havn't found a mounting solution yet, that would be both safe and comfortable, and secure in the sense that if I bail out the PLB would likely stay attached to the chute (or me). Ideas?

I would keep the old ELT in the gilder and consider a PLB and/or SPOT/inReach at my parachute. If I survive they shall find me first, not the remains of the gilder.

On Friday, January 6, 2017 at 10:31:09 AM UTC-8, wrote:
I got the PLB and thought I'd attach it to the chute somehow, but the rigger warned me about possible interference with the chute opening. E.g., what looks like a simple shoulder strap actually opens up and turns into multiple ropes that connect to different points in the opened chute. Also don't want the PLB to interfere with the seat belt. Havn't found a mounting solution yet, that would be both safe and comfortable, and secure in the sense that if I bail out the PLB would likely stay attached to the chute (or me). Ideas?

At next repack have your rigger add a hard point to the riser sleeve and build a pocket for the PLB that can be attached to it.
My rigger was happy to add this feature.
Jim

I have a Kannad Integra installed in my Discus CS. The fiberglass fuselage does not require an antenna of any sort in addition to the built in antenna in the unit. It works fine, I have tested it. It's an easy install and good insurance. Installation of the remote panel controls is a good idea, and also not particularly difficult.

I also have a SPOT attached to my parachute harness. I use it mostly for live tracking but it's a good backup.

I personally do not understand why people would choose a PLB over a properly installed ELT. Modern ELT work very well and are automatically activated. Assuming that you are gong to be conscious after a crash hard enough to set off an ELT is not valid in my opinion. If you are conscious, then great, manually set off your SPOT/InReach and your ELT as well!