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New ADS-B features - Q&A

Printed From: Avidyne
Category: Avidyne General
Forum Name: AXP340/322 ADS-B Transponder
Forum Description: Topics on the Avidyne AXP340/322 ADS-B Transponder
URL: https://avidynelive.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1739
Printed Date: 26 Mar 2026 at 8:54pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.07 - https://www.webwizforums.com


Topic: New ADS-B features - Q&A
Posted By: markpavinich
Subject: New ADS-B features - Q&A
Date Posted: 08 May 2019 at 1:13pm
Scenarios:

1. We purchased the MLB100 with our Avidyne AXP322 and IFD 540.

2. Also, we have a GDL39R being used with Garmin Pilot. 

3. What we have noticed on the Garmin Pilot with a GDL-39 since around mid-2018, after the update, we now have access and can utilize the new FIS-B weather products are available such as the following:
  • Lightning
  • Turbulence
  • Icing
  • Cloud Tops
  • Graphical AIRMET
  • Center Weather Advisory

4. My question is since MLB unit is a NAVWORX unit and NAVWORX is out of business, will the MLB100 units receive any updates via Avidyne and/or any other 3rd party source that may take on these units.

If no, then basically, we have invested into a product (that is only a couple of years old) that will not provide any current FIS-B functionality.

OR

5. Will these new FIS-B WX products become available via a firmware update to the IFD 540?

Now for another scenario 

6.  Will the Garmin GTX 345R on the potential list to work with the IFD540?  This will allow us to remove both the AXP-322 and MLB100 and go down to 1 unit in lieu of 2.  

7.  In addition to question #6 (if the 345R will work) will the newer ADS-B products be supported with the IFD unit?

Overall it seems like the IFD unit will need a firmware update to support the newer ADS-B features since many of these features are consider map overlays that the end-user can toggle off and on. 

8.  Regardless if you fly with a Garmin GTN or Avidyne IFD series, why can't you have Winds aloft and FIS-B Radar displayed both at the same time?  On the inexpensive Garmin Pilot app you can display both at the same time, but not on our $$,$$$ GPS units.

9.  On the IFD100 will the newer FIS-B products be available?

10  What about the Skytrax 100?  Is the the same operating system and different name?  Is this a total different unit?  and can any details be provided about the new ADS-B FIS-B products in regards of the Skytrax100 supporting these features?

Sorry, I do not fly with Foreflight; although, I do have the Foreflight APP. Foreflight users are welcome to chime in just as long the points are related to this post.  The same goes for Garmin GTN, Avidyne IFD users, and/or any other FIS-B equipment and application that is applicable.  

This posting is not about which unit is better or worst; however, the objective is to determine and/or gather information and functionality based on the details depicted within this posting.

Thank you.


Replies:
Posted By: Jessesaint
Date Posted: 08 May 2019 at 3:06pm
You mention first that you have the AXP322 transponder, then ask about the GTX345R replacing an AXP340. The GTX345 (panel mounted) does send ADS-B to the Avidyne, but the GTX345R (remote) will not interfacecwith the Avidyne. I can’t speak to the new weather options, but the new Skytrax is the Freeflight receiver, not the Navworx. 

Posted By: markpavinich
Date Posted: 08 May 2019 at 4:50pm
Based on Skytrax being a Freeflight unit, this unit will most likely be supported; especially, since Freeflight is not out of business like the Narworx MLB100.

Overall, this makes me mad since the Avidyne Rep. suggested that we purchased the MLB 100, to earn our business and to keep us from buying a Garmin ADS-B solution.  Now, we discovered in approximately 1 year from date of purchase that the MLB100 manufacturer was far less than an ethical Avidyne service partner and went out of business due to shady and bad affairs, law suites, and pressure from the FAA.

So now another question to add on to the original posting... 

#11  Will there be any attempts to offer the MLB100 users the newer software level support or a transition upgrade path to the Skytrax unit?

Posted By: paulr
Date Posted: 09 May 2019 at 2:42am
To answer your original questions: the MLB100 is basically a modem. It receives the ADS-B In signals, decodes them from RF to the digital format used by ADS-B systems, and puts it out as a stream to whatever it's plugged into. Interpreting that stream of data is up to the thing it's plugged into-- in this case the IFD540. The good news: once Avi releases 10.2.3.1, or whatever it's called, we'll get the new weather products; the IFD has to be updated to understand the new formats. See http://forums.avidyne.com/does-the-skytrax-100-support-the-new-fisb-weather_topic1734.html

Posted By: markpavinich
Date Posted: 09 May 2019 at 4:06pm
Those details sound promising and thanks for the feedback. 

Posted By: markpavinich
Date Posted: 31 May 2019 at 8:25am
Here is the status after the lastest Avidyne update that was applied 5/2019. 

  1. Went flying and did not see any of the new weather products. 
  2. NO Lightning strikes displayed on the IFD 540 when using the MLB100 
  3. The Garmin GDL 39R using FIS-B displayed and updated the lightning strikes as advertised. 

Posted By: markpavinich
Date Posted: 31 May 2019 at 8:26am
Yes, we have all of the latest software levels as of 5/2019.
  1. Went flying and did not see any of the new weather products. 
  2. NO Lightning strikes displayed on the IFD 540 when using the MLB100 
  3. The Garmin GDL 39R using FIS-B displayed and updated the lightning strikes as advertised. 

Posted By: markpavinich
Date Posted: 31 May 2019 at 8:29am
Originally posted by markpavinich markpavinich wrote:

Yes, we have all of the latest software levels as of 5/2019.
  1. Went flying and did not see any of the new weather products. 
  2. NO Lightning strikes displayed on the IFD 540 when using the MLB100 
  3. The Garmin GDL 39R using FIS-B displayed and updated the lightning strikes as advertised. 

To answer your original questions: the MLB100 is basically a modem. It receives the ADS-B In signals, decodes them from RF to the digital format used by ADS-B systems, and puts it out as a stream to whatever it's plugged into. Interpreting that stream of data is up to the thing it's plugged into-- in this case the IFD540. The good news: once Avi releases 10.2.3.1, or whatever it's called, we'll get the new weather products; the IFD has to be updated to understand the new formats. See http://forums.avidyne.com/does-the-skytrax-100-support-the-new-fisb-weather_topic1734.html

Posted By: oskrypuch
Date Posted: 31 May 2019 at 8:36am
Well, 10.2.3.1 is now released, but as I understand it, the new FIS-B weather product displaying is not expected until 10.3.

* Orest

Posted By: paulr
Date Posted: 31 May 2019 at 8:38am
Hi, Mark-- sorry for the confusion. I posted something incorrect earlier in the thread when I said that the IFD would display the new weather as of 10.2.3.1. As you've noticed, it does not. What it does do is stream that data to connected devices (e.g. Foreflight).

Per http://forums.avidyne.com/no-fisb-storm-cell-icing-lightning-for-skytrax_topic1758.html" rel="nofollow - this thread , Avidyne is now saying that they'll be able to display the new wx products on the IFD in 10.3.

I want to re-emphasize that this is my mistake and not theirs; if you look at the http://forums.avidyne.com/release-10-2-3-1_topic1688.html" rel="nofollow - original 10.2.3.1 feature list , "display the new weather products" isn't on it.

Posted By: markpavinich
Date Posted: 31 May 2019 at 9:02am
Okay, thanks for the update. 
Sounds like it is in the works. 
 


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