Troubleshooting guide

ARTEX AIRCRAFT SUPPLIES, INC. 570-1600
2.7.4 Connect RF Coaxial Cable
The BNC to BNC cable provided carries both the 121.5 MHz and 406 MHz outputs. The ME406
was certified using a 6-foot (1.8M) RG-142 (MIL-C-17) coax cable. Maximum cable loss should
not exceed 1 dB. In all cases the coax must meet or exceed RG-142 specifications. Contact
Artex if other lengths of coax are required for your installation. If low loss cable is required, see
paragraph 2.7.5.1,
Low Loss Coax Cable .
Precautions when working with coaxial cable:
Never kink coaxial cable.
Never drop anything on coaxial cable.
Never step on coaxial cable.
Never bend coaxial cable sharply.
Never loop coaxial cable tighter than the allowable bend radius. Industry rule-of-
thumb:
Bend radius ≥ 6 x Cable diameter
Never pull on coaxial cable except in a straight line.
Never use coaxial cable for a handle, lean on it, or to hang things on it (or any other
wire).
The coax cable should not cross any production breaks (major structural sections) in the aircraft
so that in the event of a crash the ELT and the antenna are in same aircraft section. This
usually requires placing the antenna directly above the ELT unit. Do not bundle the ELT
antenna coax with any other VHF radio coax, power harness or the ELT remote switch harness.
2.7.5 Coax Cable Assembly (Optional)
Although various coax cable lengths are available from Artex, you may fabricate your own
cable. Use of RG-142 (or equivalent) coax is required. Appropriate BNC connectors must be
used. If using RG-142, the applicable BNC connector is P/N 150-2118 which is commercially
available from Kings (KC 59-162) or Amphenol (P/N 31-4427 or M39012/16-0503). For these
connectors, Artex recommends the Kings Crimp Tool P/N KTH-1000 with the KTH-2001 die.
Kings may be contacted in the United States at phone [phone].
Other commercially available connectors and tools may be available.
2.7.5.1 Low Loss Coax Cable (Optional)
Some installations that require longer runs of antenna coax (up to 20 feet) may require the use
of low loss coax cable. Artex recommends ECS cable P/N 311201 with BNC connector P/N
CBS122. Please note that Artex does not stock or sell these parts. Contact ECS at the following:
ECS
5300 West Franklin Drive
Franklin, Wisconsin 53132 USA
Toll Free: [phone]
Telephone: [phone]
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