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Thread: elt question

  1. #1

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    Default elt question

    I have an Ameri- King AK-450 ELT which came with my model 111 project I see there has been an AD issued on this model as well as the newer 451 what would be my best option as far as getting an safe operational elt? Take this one to a shop and have it gone over, or being rather old scrap it and lay out the money for a new one I do not have an antenna for this one and before spending money on one I would like to hear your opinions about it.Thanks Greg

  2. #2
    Senior Member jiott's Avatar
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    Default Re: elt question

    I am not familiar with those models, but the first thing would be to determine if they use the old 121.5 frequency or the new 406. If they are the old frequency I would deep six them as not worth repair. The most popular one right now seems to be the ACK E-04. It is the new 406, probably the most reasonable in price, and works reliably with no issues. Kitfox will sell it and they also use it in their SLSA's. Comes with antenna and ability to tie into your GPS.
    Jim Ott
    Portland, OR
    Kitfox SS7 flying
    Rotax 912ULS

  3. #3
    Senior Member jmodguy's Avatar
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    Default Re: elt question

    I went with an Artex 345. It supports 121.5 and 406. Comes with a whip antenna that can be hidden in the aft fuselage and a mount. Has a GPS input to support 406 mode. Mid $500 range.
    Jeff
    KF 5
    340KF

  4. #4
    Senior Member Dave S's Avatar
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    Default Re: elt question

    Greg,


    Ameri King was gigged for using unapproved parts in their manufactured equipment. The company is out of buisiness last I heard and their stuff is totally orphaned. It is also a bunch of junk that may or may not work. I had an AK encoded which died a young death on me before the UPN (unapproved parts notification) came out so I replaced it with another....and you don't have to guess what happened to that - of course the UPN was out by then.



    Check it out for yourself:



    https://www.faa.gov/aircraft/safety/...13NM460018.pdf


    AK was first found out on their ELTs (G switches in particular), but the UPN investigation found the encoders and pretty much anything they made was not complying with their approvals.


    Personally if I had an AK encoder - I'd put it out on the 200 yard rifle range and test out my marksmanship skills.


    Trust my hide to that junk?...no way
    Dave S
    Kitfox 7 Trigear (Flying since 2009)
    912ULS Warp Drive

    St Paul, MN

  5. #5
    Administrator DesertFox4's Avatar
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    Default Re: elt question

    L.E.A.F. has the ACK 406 complete kit for $475.00.

    https://www.leadingedgeairfoils.com/


    DesertFox4
    Admin.
    7 Super Sport
    912 ULS Tri-gear


  6. #6
    Senior Member Dorsal's Avatar
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    Default Re: elt question

    I also have the Ameri-King which will get replaced with a 406 unit (no rush). Given the 2020 ADS-B mandate coming I plan on using a Garmin GDL 82 ADS-B out which can also supply GPS info for the ACK ELT. I already have the GDL 39 for ADS-B in.
    Dorsal ~~^~~
    Series 7 - Tri-Gear
    912 ULS Warp Drive

  7. #7
    Senior Member HighWing's Avatar
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    Default Re: elt question

    Major coincidence! I needed to replace the battery on my Ameri-King AK-450 and discovered the issues with the FAA. Since mine was already installed and didn't want to re-invent the wheel, I went with the Kannad Ameri-King Retrofit ELT. The mounting plate has holes drilled that accommodate the original mount for the Ameri-King and the panel remote has accommodating electrical fittings that would make the replacement much easier using existing wiring. I attached the mount yesterday and today I will plug in the wiring for the panel remote switch and test. A little more than I wanted to spend, but worth it in effort. The Kannad is a bit smaller and lighter, battery exp. date - 8/2024
    Lowell Fitt
    Goodyear, AZ


    My You Tube Channel

  8. #8

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    Wink Re: elt question

    Thanks for all the great responses Advice Taken ,ordered a new one!

  9. #9
    Senior Member HighWing's Avatar
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    Default Re: elt question

    Quick Follow-up. Finished the Kannad install and the most difficult part was the exchange of the remote unit on the panel. Getting my hand back there to catch the nuts as I unscrewed the old one and replaced it with the new one was the only challenge. The ELT mounting plate fit precisely where the Ameri-King unit was and existing wiring connected quickly. All parts necessary for the exchange were included.
    Attached Images Attached Images
    Lowell Fitt
    Goodyear, AZ


    My You Tube Channel

  10. #10
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    Default Re: elt question

    Quote Originally Posted by Flyin Farmer View Post
    I have an Ameri- King AK-450 ELT which came with my model 111 project I see there has been an AD issued on this model as well as the newer 451 what would be my best option as far as getting an safe operational elt? Take this one to a shop and have it gone over, or being rather old scrap it and lay out the money for a new one I do not have an antenna for this one and before spending money on one I would like to hear your opinions about it.Thanks Greg
    You can not repair the AmeriKing 450 and 451's. they must be continuously inspected and tested per the AD starting no later than October 24, 2018. If they fail, they must be replaced. They are 121 only so I would just replace it anyway - 121 is useless unless being ground tracked from real close.

    The ACK E-04 can use the same remote and and wiring as the AmeriKing and has a harness that meets the new TSO 126b (not hook and loop) and includes an antenna.

    Tha Kannad retrofit is about $400 more, has an integral backup 406 antenna, does not include an external antenna and uses the older hook and loop mounting.

    The NTSB wanted the new TSO 126b to require replacement of all hook and loop fastening on all existing and new ELT installations. The FAA TSO though allows hook and loop on "existing" elts and only requires a better mounting for new elt designs (not to be confused with new elt installations) occuring since the TSO 126b effective date. Kind of defeated the purpose as the manufacturers can still make, sell and you can install the hook and loop type!

    Also, if you replace an old 121 elt with a new 121/406 elt without replacing the antenna - you are assuming the old antenna will operate correctly on 406. Maybe/maybe not - that is why ACK sells their unit with the antenna and requires it to be used.

    Just my take on it all, Greg

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