Garmin Antenna
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Offline rviglierchio

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Garmin Antenna
« on: October 24, 2006, 07:58:03 PM »
Am using a Garmin 396 and seem to have antenna problems.  Is anyone using these finding it difficult to locate the GPS and XM antennas?  My GPS will "lose signal" without apparent reason and the XM didn't work at all.  Both are mounted in the nose of a Long EZ.  Thanks for any advice.
DRV
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Offline Snappy

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« Reply #1 on: October 25, 2006, 07:47:42 AM »
Not sure about the XM, but your GPS has to 'see' the sky and receive the satellite signals.  I have my 269 mounted on top of the roll over structure and have never lost a signal.

Suggest you relocate to a position where your antenna has "unobstructed view of the sky".

Good luck,
Snappy
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Snappy
Long EZ 988AB

Offline rglos

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« Reply #2 on: October 25, 2006, 08:06:06 AM »
Yes
I have a 296 with the remote antenna mounted in the nose. It will lose the signal quite easily. So I put back on the unit antenna ( short one on the back of the unit) and bam the signal comes back.

I thought I had a vibration problem with the connectors but now I'm not so sure

It just didn't make sense to me that the stock antenna inside the cockpit has any less interference. I haven't tried moving the remote yet
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Long EZ, 0-235L2C, 1986

Offline Waiter

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Garmin Antenna
« Reply #3 on: October 25, 2006, 10:03:37 AM »
Is this the antenna that came with the unit??

I think most Garmins use a powered antenna, (it has a little amplifier built into it).

Try a known good antenna.

Check you cable with a voltmeter. The end that plugs into the antenna should have 3 - 5 volts on it (center pin to outside shield) This is power for the internal amplifier.

As far as location, anywhere that has visibility of the sky should work. Microwaves pass through fiberglass like it wasn't even there,  ON ONE CONDITION, the fiberglass is NOT painted with any type of paint that has a metalic based pigment, i.e. metal flake.

Waiter
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Offline Snappy

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« Reply #4 on: October 25, 2006, 10:20:26 AM »
Oops.
I meant to say that I have my garmin remote antenna mounted on top of the roll over structure.  I removed the one that comes attached with the unit and mounted the 296 with a Ram mount on the right - forward portion of the canopy cover and about 16" from my eyes.  Works great.
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Snappy
Long EZ 988AB

Offline Dave in Eugene

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« Reply #5 on: October 25, 2006, 12:51:34 PM »
I have mine on a 8" ram mount mounted on the right side of the panal. Antenna is on the unit and works great... I have the 296 and really really love it.

All the best,

Dave
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408 EZ Long EZ 0235-L2C / Great American 62X62 / IFR / GU canard

Offline Snappy

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« Reply #6 on: October 25, 2006, 01:04:33 PM »
Hey, I was in Springfield yesterday!  We should meet and fly!
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Snappy
Long EZ 988AB

Offline rviglierchio

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Thank you for all the tips!
« Reply #7 on: October 25, 2006, 07:43:37 PM »
More info on the issue: I could not seem to get any weather on the unit and have not tried it on the ground with the XM antenna in the nose. Will do so when I get back out to the plane (it's the one with crunched nose gear from RR). The GPS antenna worked just fine for a few hours then "lost signal" for 10 -15 minutes just when I needed it most, then came back on line. It did this more than once. I have nothing above them other than composite (no carbon) and fasteners. I'm wondering if the magnet on the XM has anything to do with it and what it might affect near the back of the panel. The A&P mounted it pretty close to the radios and it didn't seem to bother anything....
Am talking to Garmin and so far they have been helpful and interested in a solution, which I didn't expect from a big outfit like that. Much more customer friendly than the Lowrance company. I finally put their product in a drawer. Thank you all for the advice and tips to look into!
DRV
PS: rglos seems to have the same issue.  I guess for the flight home I'll keep the little stick antenna in my pocket when it happens again.  
Those that have a RAM mount up on the canopy - what, if any, instruments does that mounting block from view?  Or is that easy to look around?  Sound like a good way to get the unit up out of the cockpit where the built in antenna would work fine....?
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Offline Snappy

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« Reply #8 on: October 25, 2006, 10:19:43 PM »
My canopy/Ram mount does block out amps/volts on 1 2 1/2" guage and other than that, I can't see my lighting switches which I opperate by feel at night anyway.  The power and antenna wires are wrapped and run along the canopy rail and behind the seat.  The Ram mount is very strong and mostly vibration free.  I'd mount it the same way again.  The only better way (I think) is a panel mount.

Fly safe!
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Snappy
Long EZ 988AB

Offline rglos

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« Reply #9 on: October 26, 2006, 08:24:47 AM »
I'd like some pictures of these ram mounts. no hurry.
I re-did the entire panel to make room in the upper left corner. it's viewable but hard to see at this distance. I would like it closer

rglos@msn.com
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Long EZ, 0-235L2C, 1986

Offline easyrider

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« Reply #10 on: October 28, 2006, 01:51:45 PM »
I have a 296 and the antenna is in the roll over structure behind the pilot.
Never had a problem, it's just laying in the structure not even mounted upright.I also have a panel mount Appollo GX 55 which was a plug and play unit to replace an Appollo Loran.This is an excellent unit although it has the old yellow display and notchy characters but it is a good backup for the 296. The Appollo antenna is on the out side on the nose mounted on the battery access panel, never any problem with a signal.
Easyrider
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