elt question

[Dave S]

Jon,


The people who manage this is NOAA.



There is an answer to most questions on testing (from the horse's mouth) on their web site.


http://www.sarsat.noaa.gov/Beacon%20...%20Policy.html


Also, you have to register the beacon with them when it is installed in the aircraft - I don't know if that is what you meant by notifying the authorities.


In any case, there is a phone number or two which will connect you with help for anything SARSAT; and, you should have these numbers in your plane and on your phone.



The numbers are 301-817-4515; and, too free, 888-212-7283


You will want these if ever there is an "oops" with the switch or test. These folks have no draconian proclivities - they are there to save our butts if we need it and there to contact if a false transmission goes off so they don't initiate SAR activities unnecessarily - when you register the beacon, there are several contact phone numbers you can choose to have them to call you or your emergency contact - this works for "oops" events too.


They will help you on the phone with with any unanswered setup or registration or use questions.

[jonstark]

There are a number of places offering advice on testing. It was confusing with some saying just call ATC or your tower where another said to apply for a live test to see if you qualify to send out a live emergency signal. Finally the application said to read the noaa policy before making application. Where I do believe after reading the policy that a new installation test would be authorized they recommend using the fee for service site. As previously stated instead of sending a real signal they can decode what is broadcast during self test and tell you if you’re ok. This prevents a real emergency that might be in progress concurrently from being impacted.

I will keep those numbers handy tho!

Jon

[Dorsal]

Jon,
I just registered my E-04 and expect to be satisfied with the self test that can be initiated by the pilot (first 5 minutes of the hour). BTW which airport are you based at, 0B5?

Dave,
Thanks for posting those numbers, just entered them into my phone.

[Danzer1]

There are a number of places offering advice on testing.

The best advice you should take is from the manufacturer, as the rule states something to the effect that all testing must be performed in accordance with the manufacturers requirements (or instructions) - can't remember which. Check your manual. If unclear, I would get clarification from ACK before listening to anyone else.

YMMV, Greg

[jonstark]

Upon initial installation and then annually we must check the installation, controls and signal strength of the ELT. Without $5000 worth of shields, receivers and antenna dummy loads the only way to test properly (not by initiating a false alarm) is to either apply to NOAA for permission to do a live test or pay a service to watch for your self test at a scheduled time.

Use of the service prevents the emergency system from being overloaded with false emergencies.

Just doing a self test and listening on your radio is insufficient to test signal strength properly.

Look at the NOAA ELT testing policy for this data.

Dave, I am at Turners Falls. You?

Jon

[Dorsal]

I read that policy as how to conduct tests not which tests are required (though I could be quite wrong). I believe the tests outlined in the ACK install manual should be sufficient, self test every three months, complete inspection each year including testing the G-switch.

I am based out of KORH, love to see your plane sometime.

[PapuaPilot]

I believe the tests outlined in the ACK install manual should be sufficient, self test every three months, complete inspection each year including testing the G-switch.

From what I understand this is correct. Once the 406 ELT has been installed you need to do what the manufacture says in the "Instructions For Continued Airworthiness" or similar section. For the ACK-04 this is found in section 10. The self test is part of this, an inspection of the ELT, mounting, antenna, plugs/cables and the G switch test.

Here is a good link on the subject:
http://www.supercub.org/forum/showth...-a-406-mhz-ELT

If you want to check the signal strength you can still do the "AM radio" check, which tests the 121.5 signal and gives you an assurance that a decent signal is being transmitted from the antenna.

Here is a copy/paste from another site about the AM test:
"There are two ways to test for sufficient antenna signal on a C91a ELT. One is to evaluate the signal strength using a test box like those made by QCAvionix or Whiffletree. The other method is to listen to the signal using an AM-band radio receiver.

The FAA endorses the AM radio test and has codified this check in the most recent update of Advisory Circular 43.13-1B (CHG 1). The test for sufficient signal radiated from the antenna is as follows (Par 12-22):

"Active the ELT using the ON or ELT TEST switch. A low-quality AM broadcast radio receiver should be used to determine if energy is being transmitted from the antenna. When the antenna of the AM broadcast receiver (tuning dial on any setting) is held about 6 inches from the activated ELT antenna, the ELT aural tone will be heard."

"It has to be a cheap AM radio," said Bob Glorioso, president of QCAvionix. "It can't be too well shielded. You're trying to overwhelm the AM detector."

Many mechanics, perhaps unaware of the FAA's recommendations, listen the ELT signal on the aircraft's VHF radio, set to receive on 121.5 megahertz. But this isn't a good test, because the aircraft radio's receiver is extremely sensitive. The AM radio test, says AC43.13, "is not a measured check; but it does provide confidence that the antenna is radiating with sufficient power to aid search and rescue. The signal may be weak even if it is picked up by an aircraft VHF receiver located at a considerable distance from the radiating ELT. Therefore, this check [VHF radio] does not check the integrity of the ELT system or provide the same level of confidence as does the AM radio check."

[jonstark]

The AM radio test is NOT for the 406Mhz transmission. It is only for the 121.5 signal. That can only be done with a test set, actually activating the ELT or having a service monitor a self test transmission.

Now... We have to decide whether testing only the 121.5 signal is compliant with the FAA mandated signal strength test.

What say you all?

By the way, 406test.com is ONLY for ARTEX ELTs.

Jon

Edit to add...
An FAA Avionics Inspector out of Atlanta now says that the FAA knew it would be difficult to nearly impossible to test the 406 Mhz broadcast so the TSO was written so as to require the SELF TEST PROCEDURE to comply with strength test.
If your manufacturer has a selftest in the Instructions for Continuing Airworthiness that is all that is required.