ADS-B Installed

My friend Stan came over to look at the project and helped me finish installing the ADS-B system. ADS-B (Automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast) is a new system that's designed to replace radar for controlling aircraft. If you want to fly into busy airspace or airports after 2020, you'll have to have ADS-B. It also provides some really advanced stuff in the cockpit - ALL FREE! Weather, traffic, terrain, Notams, TFRs plus more. The traffic is exactly what the air traffic controllers see on their screens just beamed via the ADS-B system directly to your cockpit display. Even non-transponder equipped aircraft, really big birds or UFOs that have a primary radar return will be displayed. In the picture below (this is the actual screen in my airplane), in the bottom left corner you can see the ADS-B and NEXRAD weather status. It shows No Signal because I'm in the garage but the system is fully functioning and passed all the tests.

 

Here's the remote installation of the ADS-B box and antenna from the inside. It's the Skyview ADS-B-470 system by Dynon, the same brand as the EFIS display above. You can see me in the reflection with a toothbrush in my mouth. Good dental hygiene is important even while you're building an airplane.

 

 

Here are the ADS-B and Transponder blade antennas. They are the Delta Pop antennas recommended by Dynon and are seperated by greater than 24" which is the required spacing.