FreeFlight Ranger FDL-978-RXD dual-band supported?
Printed From: Avidyne
Category: Avidyne General
Forum Name: SkyTrax Series ADS-B Receivers & Transceivers
Forum Description: Topics on the Avidyne SkyTrax 978 MHz Receivers & Transceivers
URL: https://avidynelive.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1550
Printed Date: 26 Mar 2026 at 3:29pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.07 - https://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: FreeFlight Ranger FDL-978-RXD dual-band supported?
Posted By: CubedRoot
Subject: FreeFlight Ranger FDL-978-RXD dual-band supported?
Date Posted: 03 Jul 2018 at 5:52am
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I have an IFD-540 and a Skytrax 100 and am pretty disappointed there is no dual band offering for ADS-b in on my IFD. I still have to lug around my Stratux in order to receive 1090 on my tablet, which always has more relevant traffic than what is shown on the IFD via the Skytrax :-( So, with Avidynes recent announcement that the FreeFlight Rangers would be the go-to solution for ADS-b in, I did a little browsing and found this model: FDL-978-RXD which is a dual band version per their documentation here: http://www.freeflightsystems.com/images/products/RANGR%20RX.pdf Now, is this unit supported by our IFD's? Any idea of how bad it would be for my shop to "swap" the Skytrax 100 out for one of these units? |
Replies:
Posted By: MysticCobra
Date Posted: 03 Jul 2018 at 6:26am
| I would prefer to have the dual-band solution, too. (Currently have an MLB-100 installed.) I, too, am using a Stratux to get dual-band data today and would like eventually retire it in favor of ADSB data flowing through my IFD and out to tablets via wifi or Bluetooth. |
Posted By: ddgates
Date Posted: 03 Jul 2018 at 4:34pm
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they have said privately that they are anticipating having a simple upgrade pathway from the mlb to be announced at either SNF or OSH ------------- David Gates |
Posted By: CubedRoot
Date Posted: 05 Jul 2018 at 9:15am
I wonder (hope?) if this upgrade solution would be dual-band. If its not too spendy, and indeed dual band, I would probably opt in for it.
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ddgates wrote:Posted By: HenryM
Date Posted: 09 Jul 2018 at 9:01am
| I see the FDL-978-RXD in the linked document, but can't find it anywhere else. IS it a new product, not yet available? |
Posted By: MarkZ
Date Posted: 13 Jul 2018 at 1:37am
| I cannot understand why you have to install another avionics box in your airplane to get ADSB in when you have all this WiFi magic happening in your IFDs!? |
Posted By: MysticCobra
Date Posted: 13 Jul 2018 at 2:20am
Not sure what you mean. The FAA doesn't transmit ADSB-in data via wifi, so *something* additional has to be present in the plane to receive the signal and deliver it to the IFD. If you're implying that there are less-expensive and easily attainable boxes (like a Stratux) that can receive ADSB-in and then publish the data via wifi to attached devices, then I think the limitation is not a technical one but rather a regulatory/paperwork one: The issue of an uncertified device feeding the ADSB datastream into a certified panel GPS. Who knows what might be allowed in the future, but as of today (and for the foreseeable future) I don't think that's in the cards, so an approved device like an MLB100/Skytrax 100 (or whatever Freeflight device(s) replace that unit) is required.
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Posted By: HenryM
Date Posted: 17 Jul 2018 at 10:12am
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Allowing GDL-90 data from a WiFi device, like a Garmin GTX-345 with an internal GPS source, would simplify installations by not requiring extra wiring. Is there a regulation that prohibits the IFD to display uncertified data? How about data from a fuel totalizer, or the like, that could be off?
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Posted By: CubedRoot
Date Posted: 29 Jul 2018 at 4:35pm
| well Osh has come and gone, and I didn’t see any announcements about an upgrade path to dual band for us skytrax users. |
Posted By: rpostmo
Date Posted: 18 Jan 2020 at 10:02am
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Any updates on this? |
Posted By: ddgates
Date Posted: 18 Jan 2020 at 1:53pm
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This has been the most bizarre part of ADS-B. _Years_ ago, Aspen announced a dual band ADS-B receiver "coming soon" - at least 4 years ago. Maybe a year ago, at least some of us who bought the MLB100s were contacted and told that a "new solution" was coming soon, and that there would be an upgrade path for us - nada. There have been _rumors_ that those of us who bought MLB100s had units which had at least the hardware to do 1090 MHz as well, but not software activated, and that when Navworx exited, that tantalizing possibility ended. Almost all of us have non-certified components (in my case Stratux/Flight Box) which will not only do dual band, but also has an AHRS unit, so from the standpoint of tech, it can't be that hard? ------------- David Gates |
Posted By: CubedRoot
Date Posted: 18 Jan 2020 at 2:01pm
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I’ll be honest, this has been the most disappointing part of my whole Avidyne stack. The Skytrax unit I have is a poor performer and I have way more targets using my portable adsb receiver than the equipment I paid a boat load of money to install. The fact that Avidyne hasn’t done anything to even offer an upgrade path is very disappointing. It’s to the point that is much rather trust my portable adsb receiver and ForeFlight for weather and traffic than I do my skytrax.
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Posted By: rpostmo
Date Posted: 25 Jun 2020 at 1:55pm
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Clayton at FreeFlight says the 978RXD dual frequency unit will be available in August. I've requested a quote. RPO
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Posted By: CubedRoot
Date Posted: 25 Jun 2020 at 2:03pm
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did they say if it will be a simple plug and replace for the skytrax100? It would be nice if it was a simple swap out with the existing units and maybe a new antenna install.
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Posted By: HenryM
Date Posted: 25 Jun 2020 at 2:37pm
| I'm interested in this unit. I will upgrade my MLB100 as soon as I can. I sent an e-mail to Freeflight Systems to inquire. |
Posted By: CubedRoot
Date Posted: 15 Jul 2020 at 5:41am
| Has anyone gotten any other updates? I am considering buying a Lynx if we can't get a decent dual band solution. |
Posted By: HenryM
Date Posted: 15 Jul 2020 at 6:51am
| Freeflight didn't respond to my e-mail. I think I've written twice before with the same results. No reaction whatsoever. |
Posted By: chflyer
Date Posted: 15 Jul 2020 at 7:19am
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Why consider buying from a company that doesn't respond? If they don't respond to you as a potential customer, what can one expect once they have your money? ------------- Vince |
Posted By: HenryM
Date Posted: 15 Jul 2020 at 7:24am
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They have a reasonable reputation. I probably will wait a while once a product is available to see how it does. Their dual-band receiver is the only one I'm aware of that can replace the MLB100. I'd be interested in hearing from others that don't require a complete new transponder. I could replace my AXP340/MLB100 combo, but I would rather just replace the MLB100 with a dual-band receiver when one becomes available. In the meantime, I'm getting by with the single-band solution that I already have.
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Posted By: CubedRoot
Date Posted: 15 Jul 2020 at 7:36am
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I'm in the same boat. I'd much rather just replace the MLB100 in my tail since it would be pretty trivial for the shop to do. No new wiring runs, etc. Just changing the pins around more than likely (I have the older Navworx made Skytrax). I do like my AXP340 because it has physical buttons for the numbers. And it works really well. If I can simply change the ADS-b receiver, thats my preferred solution |
Posted By: MarkZ
Date Posted: 15 Jul 2020 at 12:49pm
| We certainly cannot have that pesky Stratus box info coming in on our expensive certified panels. |
Posted By: brou0040
Date Posted: 16 Jul 2020 at 5:49pm
| although it sounds tempting saying it's now available, they've been promising a dual band receiver since 2013, so I'm not waiting for them. |