ARTEX ELT 345 Need Panel GPS?

sourdough44

sourdough44

En-Route
Joined
Feb 20, 2011
Messages
3,194
Location
Wisconsin
Display Name
Display name:
WI Flyer
Need a new ELT, thinking this 345. The description isn’t clear. It seems the position can be sweetened with a connection to a panel mounted GPS, or a few portables? Does it NEED this gps connection to work, or will it be at the ‘within 3 km’ level with just the internal position?

I do not currently have a panel mounted gps, looking for an answer before I order an ELT. I see it’s only compatible with certain GPS’s, though it may not need any.

Is there another one should consider in the same price range? Thanks
 
406 ELT with:
* no GPS has 1-2nm accuracy with ~25nm search area
* with WAAS GPS about 100 yards accuracy which means a 220 yard search area

121.5 ELT about 15nm or a 500nm search area. Nearly useless. Foss disappeared over the Nevada in his balloon was was not found for months even though he had 121.5 ELT.

My ACK-04 ELT accepts a GPS signal from the panel, but operates without a GPS source with the reduced precision.
 
Last edited:
NordicDave said:
406 ELT with:
* no GPS has 1-2nm accuracy with ~25nm search area
* with WAAS GPS about 100 yards accuracy which means a 220 yard search area

121.5 ELT about 15nm or a 500nm search area. Nearly useless. Foss disappeared over the Nevada in his balloon was was not found for months even though he had 121.5 ELT.

My ACK-04 ELT accepts a GPS signal from the panel, but operates without a GPS source with the reduced precision.
Click to expand...

Not to put too fine a point on it, but if you are referring to Steve Fossett, he died in an airplane accident (Super Decathlon) near Mammoth Lakes, California (albeit, he launched from a ranch in Nevada on the final flight). The plane hit a mountain at 10,100 feet and burst into flames. I doubt any ELT would survive that and transmit for long.

Frankly, I think technology has surpassed ELTs completely and they are all basically obsolete now.
 
That would be good enough for me, just trying to stay within the regs. The description wasn’t real clear on an additional GPS requirement.
 
406 ELT accuracy without GPS is better than advertised according to my RCC helicopter pilot friends. The big advantage to GPS enabling is the position is broadcast in the first ELT transmission. Without GPS the satellites need 20-30 minutes to triangulate your position. In a water crash airplanes sink. On the ground sometimes they burn. Instant position reporting has an advantage.
 
NordicDave said:
Foss disappeared over the Nevada in his balloon was was not found for months even though he had 121.5 ELT.
Click to expand...

Are you talking about Steve Fossett?

If so, I never knew a Super Decathlon was a balloon. LOL.
 
Suggest you look at the installation manual...

From the manual, you will need a GPS that can output this serial NAV data. I imagine most can, there is a comment about connecting it to a KLN90. Panel-mounted, don't know about using a portable.

Also, I am sure it works just fine without a GPS connected, just with the reduced positional accuracy as already mentioned in this thread.

RS-232 Acceptable Nav Data
1) NMEA 0183 baud rate is 4800.
2) Aviation protocol baud rate is 9600.
3) Programing of the ELT 345 will determine the input of 4800 baud NMEA navigation data or 9600 baud
Aviation protocol navigation data.
4) The ELT 345 will parse GGA, GLL and RMC simultaneously. Output configurations that write GGA, GLL or RMC
sentences at 4800 baud as specified in NMEA 0183 will be suitable.
5) GPGGA is recommended if available.
 
alfadog said:
Suggest you look at the installation manual...

From the manual, you will need a GPS that can output this serial NAV data. I imagine most can, there is a comment about connecting it to a KLN90. Panel-mounted, don't know about using a portable.

Also, I am sure it works just fine without a GPS connected, just with the reduced positional accuracy as already mentioned in this thread.
Click to expand...
I did look through the ‘install manual’, from a laypersons view. I didn’t see a clear answer, your answer above seems to go both ways too. Thanks for the info. I’m just trying to get a legal 406, not worried about a 10 meter accuracy or whatever.

I don’t think I NEED a panel GPS, may just contact the company before I order.
 
Sorry if I was unclear but it seems pretty straightforward to me. You don't need a GPS input for this to work and to satisfy the regulation. If you want increased accuracy, you can connect it to a panel mounted GPS that can output the appropriate cereal serial (this is what happens when you dictate posts and don't proof adequately) data. That's what I get.
 
Last edited:
Thanks, that’s what I gather. I guess I was just hung up on the word ‘need’.

I will order away & let the local shop do the install.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top