Description
Garmin XM/GPS Antenna Combo GA-57x
Careful planning and consideration are required to achieve the desired performance and reliability from the GA-57 unit.
Location
- The antenna must be mounted on top of the aircraft.
- For best performance select a location with an unobstructed view of the sky above the aircraft when in level flight.
- [Ideally] the antenna should be located at least 3 feet from transmitting antennas such as VHF Comm, HF transmitter, DME, Transponder, and Radar, and at least 6 inches from receive only antennas such as GPS and XM.
- Cabling for the antenna should not be routed near cabling which is associated with transmitter antennas for VHF Comm, HF transmitter, DME, Transponder, or Radar
Antenna Doubler/Backing Plate
- The antenna install must provide adequate support for the antenna considering a maximum drag load of 5 lbs.
- A doubler plate is required when the antenna is mounted on any unsupported skin area.
- Never weaken the aircraft structure when choosing a mounting area.
Antenna Grounding Plane
- The Antenna should be attached to a metal grounding plane (aircraft skin).
- The ground plane should be a conductive surface as large as possible, with a minimum diameter of 8 inches.
Antenna Grounding
- The antenna is grounded through the mounting hardware.
- The mounting hardware (washers and nuts) and doubler plate should make contact with an unpainted surface ensuring proper grounding.
- It’s very important to have good connectivity between the coaxial shield and the ground plane. The is ensured when all the fasteners properly ground the antenna base to the skin of the aircraft.
Coax Cable Connection
- You will need both a BNC and TNC connections for this antenna.
- BNC straight male (SA-1010M) or BNC 90 degree male (SA-1010R)
- TNC straight male (SA-1001) or TNC 90 degree male (SA-1002)
- We recommend using RG-400 coaxial cable.
- We also offer a GA-57X doubler plate
Garmin part number 010-11370-10 (combo pack – includes screws, gasket, instructions)
Garmin part number 011-01032-10 (unit only part number)
