Garmin 196: Anyone else dissapointed in the actual ability to capture sats

Just a minor point... The "signal strength" bars are actually data
reliability indicators... So, a satellite that is relatively weak but the
signal is stable and you are getting a solid data stream recovery will show
a high "signal strength". A satellite that is stronger but having a lower
reliability of the data string for various reasons will show less "signal
strength"...

The only analogy I can think of at this moment is listening to someone
whispering to you from across a silent room, perfectly audible - versus a
rock concert where someone can scream at you from 2 feet away and still not
be understood...
denny

"Ron A." wrote in message
...
When I put my stick antenna from my III Pilot on my 196 it locks much
faster
and the signal strength of the satellites is almost double per satellite.

My tests were same physical location, same physical orientation of unit and
myself, and only alternately testing both stick antenna's.

The same satellites, view of sky, and obstructions were present. My test
was conducted multiple times and repeatable. I assume they are both passive
designs so current draw for amplification would not be an issue. My III
Pilot was purchased in 1998 so it wasn't new equipment by any means.

The reason I did this is because using the auto kit in my minivan, it would
take 5+ minutes to lock sometimes. I always use the external antenna when
flying. I get lock before I turn the corner on my block with the III Pilot
stick antenna.


I have also found another quirk. Only in our club's 172 (other planes are
fine) after flying for a while and only when I change the frequency to 119.4
to talk to tower, I lose all satellites until I park the plane and get fuel
after the radios cool down. I think I have solved that by not putting the
antenna over the center of the radio stack on the glareshield. Our A&P
looked at me like I was nuts. That is why I bought the 196, but it did it
with that also. It appears to be a Narco problem. I just thought the III
Pilot was getting old and unreliable when I needed it the most to line up
with the runway.

I have since sold my III Pilot.

Ron Anderson


"Dennis O'Connor" wrote in message
...
Just a minor point... The "signal strength" bars are actually data
reliability indicators... So, a satellite that is relatively weak but the
signal is stable and you are getting a solid data stream recovery will show
a high "signal strength". A satellite that is stronger but having a lower
reliability of the data string for various reasons will show less "signal
strength"...

The only analogy I can think of at this moment is listening to someone
whispering to you from across a silent room, perfectly audible - versus a
rock concert where someone can scream at you from 2 feet away and still not
be understood...
denny

"Ron A." wrote in message
...
When I put my stick antenna from my III Pilot on my 196 it locks much
faster
and the signal strength of the satellites is almost double per satellite.