GPS Issues

[Scolopax]

Good Day BCPers! I have an issue with the Garmin 430 in the Cessna 170. A week ago, I recieved a message that read "poor GPS Coverage" and lost all of my navigation information. My GPS returned, but has presented an intermittent issue ever since. There is an "Integ" box that is illuminated yellow now as well. I have the specified 5 volts at my coax, and am working on eliminating possible issues. Just wondering if anybody else in the NW was experiencing similar issues before I dig too deep in to this one, then to learn that Government activity has limited the access to civilians or solar flares caused interference.

It was a challenge that I haven't dealt with in a while not having a GPS to confirm the accuracy of my pilotage and dead reckoning practices during a VFR cross country flight over relatively featureless terrain. It's been 9 years since I have flown without the moving map.

I will make a point of turning it off every once in a while in an effort to keep my skills honed.

[dogpilot]

Well, now is an ideal time to upgrade your 430 to WAAS. Since the straight 430 is no longer supported by Garmin with the exception of a few issues. Yours is most likely the main board and the repair is nearly as much to upgrade your unit to WAAS, which gives you back a nearly new unit (and a new main board) along with an antenna and a new database. Next time go to the page displaying satellite signal strength, you may find it is only receiving a few. This is the receiver dying is slow death. But before you slit your throat; did you unscrew the antenna from the aircraft skin? I have had one that the antenna was all corroded underneath. If that is the case, the GA-56 antenna is really cheap on eBay at the moment, as all the folks upgrading to WAAS are selling their now useless antennas for whatever they can get. I have seen them in the $25-50 range.