This is getting some publicity now:
http://www.uavionix.com/products/echo-att-20b/
Seems it's an ADS-B In and ADS-B out device, but not a transponder.
Looks like it's what the LPAT was going to be but use your own display device.
Tony Nowak
Hi Tony,
That's pretty much what it is. It's advertised on the uAvionix website as 'The World’s First Approved Portable ADS-B Out Solution' - built to comply with UK CAP 1391 (the LPAT standard).
As you have presumably discovered, the unit is currently ONLY available via Amazon UK Marketplace, sold Direct by uAvionix from the USA and re-branded as 'SkyEcho' - presumably to avoid confusion with Amazon's new 'Echo' voice controlled music and data system.
When I first downloaded the Installation and User Guide from the uAvionix website late last year, it appeared that the unit couldn't be used with a Mode S Transponder, due to the limitation which precludes the transmission of the aircraft ICAO Hex address from more than one 1090MHz device at any one time. In response to a question I posted on Amazon at the start of December however, uAvionix advised that the software has been updated to allow the Echo's transmitter to be turned off if you already have a Mode S transponder running, so only one 1090MHz device will transmit the ICAO Hex address. In this case the Echo becomes a relatively expensive ADSB Only Receiver.
Whilst the price seems reasonable for a 1090MHz LPAT device (albeit without the anticipated inbuilt display), it is still not clear whether the advertised price covers UK Import Duty and VAT or whether this is extra. I have posted a question to clarify this on the Amazon website and am awaiting a reply.
FYI it is compatible with SkyDemon, which has been restructured to run the GDL90 data protocol, as well as several other common US Nav Systems. I am not sure about current compatibility with other common UK Nav Systems.
Personally, I'm sticking with my Trig ADSB-Out and PilotAware.
Regards
Peter