I have a 601XL and just bought my ADSB-out from UAVionix @ Sun and Fun.

For anyone looking at the SkyBeacon, they only sell the TSO'd version (with Florida tax it was $1975). The experimental, non-TSO'd is no longer available (at least not available from UAvionix). However, only the TSO'd version qualifies for the $500 FAA rebate-Which IS still available as of Friday night when I reserved my rebate.

Are there other 601 owners who already have this system installed? The install looks pretty straight forward but I'm curious if any other 601's have had issues with reception given that the blade antenna is 4.5" in length and obviously does not protrude to the underside of the wingtip??

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Brad,

I installed and beta-tested an early pre-production skyBeacon on the wingtip of my STOL 750.  Like the 601, the wingtip mounting did not allow the antenna blade to protrude below the wingtip:

In my beta-testing experience, the metal wing and mounting location on the wingtip "shadowed" the transponder squawk and I sometimes had intermittent ADSB  "baro alt" errors as a result. (This early model relied on the transponder's output for baro alt and squawk number.)  However, there  were no problems as far as the ADSB broadcasting-out from this location.

As I understand it, the newer skyBeacons such as you purchased now use a "transcoder" to sync with the transponder and have an internal altitude encoder so the problems I had should now be resolved.  Since the broadcast was OK from the wingtip mounting location, I suspect you'll be just fine mounting it on the 601's wingtip.

Since uAvionix gave me the pre-production unit, I made a "pod and boom" mount to project the skyBeacon ahead of the leading edge of the wing and it then worked perfectly:

Looks a little funky, but "funk" is what the STOL 750 is all about and the price was right!  ;>)  Of course, you shouldn't have to make such a mount with your skyBeacon.

I'd go ahead and mount it on the wingtip (since it is so quick and easy!) and give it a try.  I'm sure others would enjoy seeing a report from you once installed and tested!

John

N750A

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