Garmin 696 GPS remote antenna is dead

The performance of the Garmin 696 in getting an initial satellite lock has been degrading for a bit but I was pushing the issue out of my mind since it would eventually work fine but the initial lock was taking far too long.  I did a bit of basic trouble shooting, called Garmin tech support.  They indicated that a 5 minute lock up was all that they could count on but that was inconsistent with other published data and the original performance of the unit which always got a lock within 30 seconds or so.  I tried another online tech the next day and got a suggestion to do a hard reset of the unit... finally from VAF a Garmin tech with much more experience suggested testing the unit using the internal antenna to see if the external antenna or connector had failed.

With the unit out of the plane the internal antenna worked as expected and the external was mostly worthless... unfortunately I could not determine if the fault was with the connector, the internal interface, or the antenna.  I tried to grab another antenna to test but could not find one so I ended up ordering a replacement to be delivered within a week.

It took about 5 minutes with the plane sitting outside in the sun an it still sat there on Autolocate.

crappy performance form the external Garmin antenna

Attacking paint imperfections on a wingtip

Sometimes I am bored... today I attacked every minor speck on the right wingtip.  Pretty much as perfect as it will get after I finished.  First you have to find the speck, then cut it down with some 2000 grit paper, the clean and use diminishing compound to bring back the finish.  As the compound breaks down it needs to be wetted to continue the process to end up with a shine that matches the untouched areas.  It is pretty amazing but you need to be cautious of cutting into the underlying color or primer.  As I have done this more and more I have become somewhat skilled in evaluating a speck before trying to improve the finish... most times I have been getting it right and the finish has been getting better and better; mostly to the right side of the plane though since it is nearer to my lights and the bulk of my work area.

I enjoy fussing with the finish.

diminishing compound on paint imperfections ready to buff back to a shine

290.6 tach hours - Oil Change

290.6 Tach hours

These oil changes are getting pretty easy now.  Very little mess.  Cut filter open and inspected media - no debris or metal found.

the cleanest  change yet ;)