Garmin530/Dynon Comm Static

[Tim Fitz]

Trying to sell an RV-8A (not my plane, selling for a deceased friend) with a Garmin 530 and a Dynon comm radio installed. The folks that did the wiring work accepted the loud static on the Dynon radio from the 530. I have tried to move the control heads away from the Garmin but no difference. Not sure if they used shielded wires or not. Anyone else run into this issue and what was your solution?

 

[Raymo]

Shielded wiring is a must for communication equipment, so check that first. The shielding should be grounded on one end only. Ideally all comm equipment should be grounded to the same place, as close as possible, then grounded from there to the ground buss/battery. Try isolating the noise by turning off equipment, one at a time.

 

[Tim Fitz]

Have previously isolated it to the Garmin 530. Garmin on=Static, Garmin off= No Static. The knuckleheads that wired this put the control heads next to the Garmin and the Comm Box right under the Garmin. In talking to Dynon tech reps (Jeff, who is great by the way) 2 feet of separation is recommended. Does anyone else have a 430/530 along with the Dynon radio and having no issues? Just curious where your control heads are in relation to the 430/530 and where you put the box for the radio, thanks for any replies

 

[DBRV10]

I am more wondering about the GNS530 GPS antenna location and the radio Coax. I doubt it is the radio head at all, it has no audio function, just the communication device to the actual radio.

 

[Raymo]

What David said. The 2 feet of separation is related to antenna placement/separation. I've never heard of a separation requirement for the heads in the panel. Make sure your antenna cables are good by disconnecting each end and checking for continuity between center conductor and shielding, then end to end for both center and shield.

 

[Tim Fitz]

Thanks fella's. I think I have it isolated to the Intercom box. If the Dynon radio is offline and I only have the Intercom plugged in the static is there. So I think it is the wiring of the intercom box. Taking it to an avionics shop tomorrow for the 91.411/413 checks and will ask them a few questions about routing and shielding. The coax antenna for the GPS runs forward to the antenna mounted in the engine compartment. Was a bit close to the radio antenna coax but I moved that and separated them, with no joy. Pretty sure I am down to the Intercom box and associated wiring being the issue. Will let you know how the saga goes, hopefully it will help others down the line.

 

[Raymo]

Sounds like a shield ground may be the problem. Also, make sure there is a good ground between screens and intercom box.