---------------------------------------------------------- Avionics-List Digest Archive --- Total Messages Posted Tue 11/28/06: 2 ---------------------------------------------------------- Today's Message Index: ---------------------- 0. 12:40 AM - Who is "Matt Dralle" & What Are "The Lists"? [Please Read] (Matt Dralle) 1. 06:33 AM - Re: MicroAir Radios (D. Joe Smith) ________________________________ Message 0 _____________________________________ Time: 12:40:35 AM PST US From: Matt Dralle Subject: Avionics-List: Who is "Matt Dralle" & What Are "The Lists"? [Please Read] Dear Listers, Who is Matt Dralle and what exactly are these Lists? Well, I've been working in the information technology industry for over 20 years primarily in computer networking design and implementation. I have also done extensive work in web development and CGI design during this period. I started the Matronics Email Lists back in 1990 with about 30 fellow RV builders from around the world. Since that time, I have added 63 other kinds of aircraft related Lists to the line up and numerous other List related services such as the Forums, Wiki, Archives and Search Engine just to name a few. For flexibility and reliability, I have chosen to run all of my own servers here locally. Other List-related systems include a 1 Gigabit, fully switched network infrastructure, a commercial-grade Netscreen firewall, a Barracuda spam filter, a local T1 Internet router, and a commercial-grade business T1 Internet connection with full static addressing. The computer servers found here include a brand new, quad-processor Xeon Linux server for List web services, a dual-processor Xeon Linux system dedicated to the email processing List functions, and another P4 Linux system serving as a remote storage disk farm for the archives, databases, and for an on-line hard drive-based backup system with 3.2 Terra Bytes of storage, soon to be upgraded to over 6 Terra Bytes! This entire system is protected by three large, commercial-grade uninterrupted power supply (UPS) systems that assure the Lists are available even during a local power outage! Speaking of power, imagine how much electricity it takes to run all of these systems. One month this Summer, I had a staggering $1368 bill for electricity alone! I recently upgraded all of the computer racking infrastructure including new power feeds and dedicated air conditioning for the room that serves as the Computer Center for the Matronics Email Lists. This year I added another rack to house the new MONSTER quad-processor web system that didn't quite fit into the first rack! Here's a composite photo of the List Computer Center before the addition of the second rack: http://www.matronics.com/MattDralle-ListComputerCenter.jpg As you can see, I take running these Lists very seriously and I am dedicated to providing an always-on, 24x7x365 experience for each and every Lister. But building and running this system isn't cheap. As I've stated before, I don't support any of these systems with commercial advertising on the Lists. It is supported 100% through List member Contributions! That means you... and you... and YOU! To that end, I hold a List Fund Raiser each November and ask that members make a small Contribution to support the continued operation and upgrade of this ever-expanding system. Its solely YOUR Contributions that keeps it running! Please make a Contribution today to support these Lists! http://www.matronics.com/contribution Or, by dropping a personal check in the mail to: Matronics / Matt Dralle PO Box 347 Livermore CA 94551-0347 USA (Please include your email address on the check!) Thank you! Matt Dralle Matronics Email List Administrator ________________________________ Message 1 _____________________________________ Time: 06:33:35 AM PST US From: "D. Joe Smith" Subject: RE: Avionics-List: MicroAir Radios Bill, Thanks again for your timely advice. Your approach is a good one. I have a portable 406 EPIRB for my boat, which I could certainly take with me when I fly. I think I will go for the cheapest method of compliance and deal with the real safety issue separately. Joe D. Joe Smith, CEO Syntherica Corporation 4727 University Drive, Suite 700 Durham, NC 27707 (919) 403-3232; (919) 403-3685 (fax) -----Original Message----- From: owner-avionics-list-server@matronics.com [mailto:owner-avionics-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of W J R HAMILTON Sent: Monday, November 27, 2006 3:49 AM Subject: RE: Avionics-List: MicroAir Radios Joe, Re. 406 ELT, yes, but AOPA forced through changes to local regulations to allow portables, the failure rate of fixed ELT, in real world accidents, is greater than 95%, and the supposed "greater reliability, fewer false activations of 406 " has NOT been achieved in practice. Indeed, the 406 system is VERY susceptible to false alarms from, would you believe, common microwave ovens. Have a look for a website for GME Electrophone. http://www.gme.net.au/epirb/index.php You are stuck with silly regulations mandating equipment that only works on the rarest of occasions, so spend as little as possible, and have the best pocket 406 ELT/EPIRB/PLB on your person, in a pocket, lanyard attached, whatever, so that where you goes, it goes. Not in your flight bag, not in a seat pocket, in your pocket. The failure rates are from AOPA Australia records, they were validated from a post implementation review of our national legislation several years ago, (bureaucrats wanted to "comply with ICAO") and your Civil Air Patrol also has figures to show how high the failure rate is, in a real accident. There is no magic, in most accident sequences, the aerial or aerial cable is wrecked, and 100% of ELT's don't work under water. The failure rates are just as bad in airline accidents. Remember that the US rules were a political kneejerk reaction to the loss of a high profile politician in Alaska, like most politically inspired reactions, it has produced barely measurable results for a multi-(probably by now) billion $$$ cost. Across a small fleet in Australia, we saved about $22M AUD in NOT fitting fixed ELT, but requiring a portable for every trip over 50nm. In survivable accidents, there has been a nil failure rate of activated portables. If the same amount of money had been spent on pilot training ???? Cheers, Bill Hamilton (Past President, AOPA of Australia) At 02:16 AM 25/11/2006, you wrote: Fiser ' Germany, also sells one ' much cheaper than Becker . Mich=E8le RV8 - Finishing From: owner-avionics-list-server@matronics.com [ mailto:owner-avionics-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of D. Joe Smith Sent: mercredi 4 octobre 2006 14:07 Subject: RE: Avionics-List: MicroAir Radios Bill, Thanks for the information. I am especially interested to hear that a Mode-S transponder will be available soon. The only 2-1/4 inch Mode S transponder that I know of is the Becker unit, and it would be good to see some competition in this space. Anybody Down Under working on a 406MHz ELT for experimental/general aviation? Joe D. Joe Smith Syntherica Corporation 4727 University Drive, Suite 700 Durham, NC 27707 (919) 403-3232 -----Original Message----- From: owner-avionics-list-server@matronics.com [ mailto:owner-avionics-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of W J R HAMILTON Sent: Tuesday, October 03, 2006 9:40 PM Subject: Re: Avionics-List: MicroAir Radios Folks, Slight correction, for COMs, read ICOM. Cheers, Bill Hamilton Joe, As the former Technical Director of AOPA Australia, I have considerable knowledge of their reliability, and it is good. MicroAir is also about to release a Mode S version of their transponder. I should also declare that Phil Ainsworth, President of MicroAir, is a very old friend of mine, but I don't think that taints my view. My experience of dealing with member's problems suggest that in reliability, they are second only to the small panel mount COMs, and somewhat better than several well known names, due to the relatively modern engineering and electronic design Cheers, Bill Hamilton At 01:29 AM 22/02/2006, you wrote: Does anyone have any experience with MicroAir radios? I am thinking about using them in an open cockpit modified Skybolt. I plan on using PTT switches for the intercom function, as I am not sure VOX would work in an open cockpit environment. Does anybody have any experience with the new Xcom 760 radio that is about the same size as the MicroAir? These radios seem to be very similar in design. The Xcom appears to be more powerful and to have a number of additional features. Its intercom system is voice-activated, however, which may not work in my open cockpit environment. MicroAir makes a companion transponder as well. Does anyone have any experience with this unit? D. Joe Smith Chapel Hill, NC Avionics-List Email Forum - http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Avionics-List - List Contribution Web Site - -Matt Dralle, List Admin. http://www.matronics.com/contribution CONFIDENTIALITY & PRIVILEGE NOTICE W.J.R.Hamilton,Glenalmond Group Companies,Fighter Flights Internet Services and Warbirds.Net. & This message is intended for and should only be used by the addressee. It is confidential and may contain legally privileged information.If you are not the intended recipient any use distribution,disclosure or copying of this message is strictly prohibited.Confidentiality and legal privilege attached to this communication are not waived or lost by reason of the mistaken delivery to you. 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