GA 56W

Antenna
Installation
Instructions

190-00483-01 November, 2005 Revision D

 © Copyright 2004-2005
Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries
All Rights Reserved

Except as expressly provided herein, no part of this manual may be reproduced, copied, transmitted,
disseminated, downloaded or stored in any storage medium, for any purpose without the express prior
written consent of Garmin. Garmin hereby grants permission to download a single copy of this manual
and of any revision to this manual onto a hard drive or other electronic storage medium to be viewed and
to print one copy of this manual or of any revision hereto, provided that such electronic or printed copy of
this manual or revision must contain the complete text of this copyright notice and provided further that
any unauthorized commercial distribution of this manual or any revision hereto is strictly prohibited.

Garmin International, Inc.

1200 E. 151st Street
Olathe, KS 66062 USA
Telephone: 913-397-8200
Aviation Dealer Technical Support Line (Toll Free): (888) 606-5482
www.garmin.com

Garmin (Europe) Ltd.

Unit 5, The Quadrangle
Abbey Park Industrial Estate
Romsey, SO51 9DL U.K.
44/0870.851241

RECORD OF REVISIONS

Revision Revision Description ECO #

Date
A 7/8/05 Change Environmental Category Code 32007
B 7/13/05 Remove backing plate, Re-format 32209
C 8/5/05 Changed Intro and Installation Approval 32550
D 11/10/05 Changed TSO wording, added install drawing 34512

Page A GA 56W Antenna Installation Instructions

Revision D 190-00483-01
 INFORMATION SUBJECT TO EXPORT CONTROL LAWS

This document may contain information which is subject to the Export Administration Regulations
("EAR") issued by the United States Department of Commerce (15 CFR, Chapter VII, Subchapter C) and
which may not be exported, released, or disclosed to foreign nationals inside or outside of the United
States without first obtaining an export license. A violation of the EAR may be subject to a penalty of up
to 10 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $1,000,000 under Section 2410 of the Export Administration
Act of 1979. Include this notice with any reproduced portion of this document.

WARNING

This product, its packaging, and its components contain chemicals known to the State of
California to cause cancer, birth defects, or reproductive harm. This Notice is being
provided in accordance with California's Proposition 65. If you have any questions or
would like additional information, please refer to our web site at
www.garmin.com/prop65.

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Revision D 190-00483-01
 GA 56W Antenna Installation Instructions
Careful planning and consideration of the following guidelines are required to achieve the desired
performance and reliability from the GA 56W antenna.

1. Introduction
The GA56W is a GPS antenna with an integral preamplifier providing a minimum gain of 26.5 dB and a
noise figure of less than 4 dB. The GA56W is intended for use with a GPS receiver requiring an external
preamplifier.

1.1 Antenna Mounting Location

The antenna must be mounted on top of the aircraft. For best performance select a location with an
unobstructed view of the sky above the aircraft when in level flight. Refer to Figure 1. The antenna
should be located at least 3 feet from transmitting antennas such as VHF Comm, HF transmitter, DME,
Transponder, and Radar, and at least 6 inches from receive only antennas such as GPS and XM. Cabling
for the antenna should not be routed near cabling which is associated with transmitter antennas for VHF
Comm, HF transmitter, DME, Transponder, or Radar.

Figure 1
ANTENNA INSTALLATION LOCATION

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190-00483-01 Revision D
1.2 Antenna Doubler/Backing Plate
The antenna installation must provide adequate support for the antenna considering a maximum drag load
of 5 lbs. (at subsonic speed). A doubler plate is required when the antenna is mounted on any
unsupported skin area. Never weaken the aircraft structure when choosing a mounting area. Refer to the
aircraft manufacturer’s specifications and AC 43.13-2A Chapter 3 for appropriate guidance on antenna
installation. Make use of any available reinforcements where appropriate. Antenna performance is
improved by having an appropriate ground plane. When designing the doubler, the installer should
evaluate the ground plane requirements and make decisions to accomplish both functions with the
doubler.

CAUTION
Antenna installations on pressurized cabin aircraft require FAA approved installation
design and engineering substantiation data whenever such antenna installations
incorporate alteration (penetration) of the cabin pressure vessel by connector holes and/or
mounting arrangements. For needed engineering support pertaining to the design and
approval of such pressurized aircraft antenna installations, it is recommended that the
installer proceed according to any of the following listed alternatives:

1. Obtain approved antenna installation design data from the aircraft manufacturer.
2. Obtain an FAA approved STC pertaining to and valid for the antenna installation.
3. Contact the FAA Aircraft Certification Office in the appropriate Region and request identification
of FAA Designated Engineering Representatives (DERs) who are authorized to prepare and
approve the required antenna installation engineering data.
4. Obtain FAA Advisory Circular AC-183C and identify a DER from the roster of individuals in it.
5. Contact an aviation industry organization such as the Aircraft Electronics Association for
assistance.

1.3 Antenna Grounding Plane

The antenna should be attached to a metal ground plane (aircraft skin). The ground plane should be a
conductive surface as large as practical, with a minimum diameter of 8 inches. To use an antenna in
aircraft with fabric or composite skin, a ground plane is recommended. It is usually installed under the
skin of the aircraft, below the antenna, and is made either of aluminum sheet or of wire mesh.

1.4 Antenna Grounding

The antenna is grounded through the mounting hardware. The mounting hardware (washers and nuts) and
doubler plate should make contact with an unpainted surface ensuring proper antenna grounding.

It is very important to have good conductivity between the coaxial shield and the ground plane. This is
ensured when all the fasteners properly ground the antenna base to the skin of the aircraft.

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Revision D 190-00483-01
1.5 Antenna Installation
a. Refer to Appendix A for the appropriate mounting cutout. Drill or punch the holes.
b. Install a doubler plate to reinforce the aircraft skin, as required.
c. Place install gasket, Garmin part number 253-00002-00, on top of aircraft skin using the four
screw holes to align the gasket.
d. Washers and locking nuts are required to secure the antenna. Torque the four supplied #8-32
stainless steel nylon locking nuts (Garmin part number 210-10004-09, or equivalent) evenly
across all mounting studs to avoid deformation of the mounting area.
e. Insure that the antenna base and aircraft skin are in continuous contact with the gasket.
f. Seal the antenna and gasket to the fuselage using a good quality electrical grade sealant. Run a
bead of the sealant along the edge of the antenna where it meets the exterior aircraft skin. Use
caution to insure that the antenna connectors are not contaminated with sealant.

CAUTION
Do not use construction grade RTV sealant or sealants containing acetic acid. These
sealants may damage the electrical connections to the antenna. Use of these type sealants
may void the antenna warranty.

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190-00483-01 Revision D
2. Antenna Specifications
2.1 Antenna Part Numbers
Catalog Part
Item Unit Part Number
Number
GA 56W 011-01111-00 010-10561-01*
* Includes Installation Kit K00-00194-00
2.2 Antenna Weight
Item Weight
GA 56W 0.24 lbs. (0.11 kg)
Install Kit 0.11 lbs. (0.05 kg)

2.3 WAAS Electrical Specifications

2.3.1 WAAS Antenna Specifications
Characteristics Specifications
Frequency Range 1565 to 1585 MHz
Gain 26.5 dB to 28.5 dB
Noise Figure ”4.00 dB
Nominal Output Impedance 50 ohms
Supply Voltage 4.5 to 5.5 VDC
Supply Current 50 mA max
Output Connector BNC

2.3.2 Antenna Pattern

(measured with a 3 wavelength radius ground plane)

Frequency Elevation angle (0=up) RHCP Isotropic Gain (min) Axial Ratio
1575MHz 0 3.0 dBic 3 dB max
1575MHz 75 -0.5 dBic 3 dB max
1575MHz 80 -2.0 dBic 6 dB max
1575MHz 85 -3.4 dBic 6 dB max
1575MHz 90 -5.7 dBic 6 dB max

Page 1-4 GA 56W Antenna Installation Instructions

Revision D 190-00483-01
2.4 Environmental Specifications

It is the responsibility of the installing agency to obtain the latest revision of the GA 56W Environmental
Qualification Form. This form is available directly from Garmin under the following part number:

GA 56W Environmental Qualification Form, Garmin part number 005-00232-00

To obtain a copy of this form, see the dealer/OEM portion of the Garmin web site (www.garmin.com).

2.5 Certification
The GA 56W is compliant with TSO C144.

2.6 Installation Approval

The conditions and tests required for the TSO approval of this article are minimum performance
standards. It is the responsibility of those installing this article either on or within a specific type or class
of aircraft to determine that the aircraft installation conditions are within the TSO standards. TSO articles
must have separate approval installation in an aircraft. The article may be installed only if performed
under 14 CFR Part 43 or the applicable airworthiness requirements.
For antenna TSO compliance, see Section 2.5.

2.7 Continued Airworthiness

Maintenance of the GA 56W antenna is “on-condition” only. Periodic maintenance of the GA 56W
antenna is not required.

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190-00483-01 Revision D
3. Limited Warranty
This Garmin product is warranted to be free from defects in materials or workmanship for two years from
the date of purchase. Within this period, Garmin will at its sole option, repair or replace any components
that fail in normal use. Such repairs or replacement will be made at no charge to the customer for parts or
labor, provided that the customer shall be responsible for any transportation cost. This warranty does not
cover failures due to abuse, misuse, accident or unauthorized alteration or repairs.

THE WARRANTIES AND REMEDIES CONTAINED HEREIN ARE EXCLUSIVE AND IN LIEU OF
ALL OTHER WARRANTIES EXPRESS OR IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING ANY
LIABILITY ARISING UNDER ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A
PARTICULAR PURPOSE, STATUTORY OR OTHERWISE. THIS WARRANTY GIVES YOU
SPECIFIC LEGAL RIGHTS, WHICH MAY VARY FROM STATE TO STATE.

IN NO EVENT SHALL GARMIN BE LIABLE FOR ANY INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, INDIRECT OR

CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, WHETHER RESULTING FROM THE USE, MISUSE, OR
INABILITY TO USE THIS PRODUCT OR FROM DEFECTS IN THE PRODUCT. Some states do not
allow the exclusion of incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitations may not apply to
you.

Garmin retains the exclusive right to repair or replace the unit or software or offer a full refund of the
purchase price at its sole discretion. SUCH REMEDY SHALL BE YOUR SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE
REMEDY FOR ANY BREACH OF WARRANTY.

To obtain warranty service, contact your local Garmin Authorized Service Center. For assistance in
locating a Service Center near you, call Garmin Customer Service at one of the numbers shown below.

Products sold through online auctions are not eligible for rebates or other special offers from Garmin.
Online auction confirmations are not accepted for warranty verification. To obtain warranty service, an
original or copy of the sales receipt from the original retailer is required. Garmin will not replace missing
components from any package purchased through an online auction.

Garmin International, Inc. Garmin (Europe) Ltd.

1200 East 151st Street Unit 5, The Quadrangle, Abbey Park Industrial Estate
Olathe, Kansas 66062, U.S.A. Romsey, SO51 9DL, U.K.
Phone: 913/397.8200 Phone: 44/0870.851241
FAX: 913/397.0836 FAX: 44/0870.851251

Page 1-6 GA 56W Antenna Installation Instructions

Revision D 190-00483-01
APPENDIX A INSTALLATION DRAWING

D
AR
011-01111-00 RW
GA 56W GPS/WAAS FO
ANTENNA

253-00002-00
GASKET, NEOPRENE

AIRCRAFT SKIN
ON TOP OF FUSELAGE

FABRICATE AND INSTALL DOUBLER PLATE

AS REQUIRED TO COMPLY WITH APPLICABLE
AIRWORTHINESS REGULATIONS.

4X 210-10004-09
#8-32 SELF LOCKING NUT

.83 [21.1]
FORWARD
.60 15.2

4.23 107.4
2.59 65.8
1.91 48.5

.22 5.6
.50 12.7
4X #8-32 STUD BNC CONNECTOR

SIDE VIEW FRONT VIEW

2X .89 22.6
2X 1.750 44.45

1.000 25.40

2X 1.625 41.28
.813 20.64
FORWARD

4X .188 4.78
4.23 107.4

.625 15.88

2.59 [65.8]

MOUNTING CUTOUT
(ANTENNA OUTLINE)

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