Avionics: SkyRadar DX removed in favor of a Stratux running Virtual Radar Server

Update 19-Jul-24:  This was replaced with a Raspberry Pi 5 and other improvements.

Since I upgraded my transponder to the GTX 345 then swapped out my SkyRadar DX for a Rasperry Pi running Stratux and Virtual Radar Server (git repository here) so I can see a lot more information about fellow aviators in the sky on my tablet or phone in flight, I removed the SkyRadar. I've now repurposed the SkyRadar DX as a local 978 MHz UAT feeder into my on site home Virtual Radar Server.  I also connected to my right GRT HXr EFIS so it can capture all ADS-B data for later processing (through my public domain flight data analysis software) if desired.

Below shows the SkyRadar DX next to the ugly hack job of the Stratux setup. It looks ugly, but it's quite stout with all those wire ties. 

You can see my phone attached to the canopy in flight showing Virtual Radar Server.

 The setup uses the following:

• Raspberry Pi 4 
• 128 GB "MAX Endurance" microSD card.  
• Case 
• Akasa Gem Pro aluminum case 
• 60 mm USB fan
• Wifi 
• Edimax EW-7811Un WiFi dongle since the Pi's internal antenna was effectively shielded by the case.  Update 19-Jul-24:  I soldered in an external antenna when this setup was replaced.
• USB hub to allow additional things connected to the USB ports of the pi
• SDRs 
• Nooelec SAWbird+ LNA and filter (this was overkill and later removed)
• Nooelec RTL-SDR v5 SDR 
• USB extensions (to allow the SDRs to be placed on the top of the Pi's case)
• GPS 
• GPS antenna (with U.FL adapter) sitting on my GPS antenna shelf.
• GPS antenna (with U.FL adapter)
• Software 
• Stratux to VRS converter software with additional maps and charts
• Offline software for occasional updates of aircraft registration databases. 
• USB to serial converter (to connect to my right GRT HXr EFIS)
• Note that the following line must be added to the end of GRT's serial patch script:
•  if ! grep -q '067b.*23a3.*serialout' $rules; then
      wLog "Configured to accept all PL2303 23a3 devices for serialout"
      echo 'SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="067b", ATTRS{idProduct}=="23a3", SYMLINK+="serialout0", OPTIONS+="link_priority=3"' >> $rules
  fi

It sits in the mapbox area where the SkyRadar DX was mounted and where the B&C BC410-H backup alternator's regulator is mounted.  For power, I mounted a USB automobile power socket, the red device visible below.

It allows me to have live traffic on AvareX and run Virtual Radar Server on my in flight tablet.

Maintenance: Crankshaft seal failure and replacement

Following a night of practicing approaches, I dutifully put the plane back in the hangar.  The next morning I went back out to the hangar to replace the EGT4 sensor which had stopped functioning.  When I looked at the plane, I saw that my engine seemed to have burped oil overnight.  Based on the oil drip paths, it seems not to have happened in flight or even on the ground during taxi.  At this point, the aircraft had 411 hours.

Viewing the aft side of the ring gear found oil of course, but also some kind of flexible material that I later determined was some cured sealant holding the crankcase in, perhaps showing the source of the failure. 

Now it was time to learn how to remove and replace the crankshaft seal.  Lycoming has a service instruction for that (1324D).  Removal of my crankshaft seal (which of course requires removal of the propeller), showed sealant missing in the grooves, though that sealant may have detached during removal.

Installation of the replacement seal requires a special tool.  Lycoming has one for more nearly $2k.  ATS has one for just over $100, so I went the latter option.  I didn't capture images when I was using the tool since it requires two hands and I was working solo.  I did grab a snap when the seal was in place and also when I was pushing the spring in with a bike tube replacement tool (prior to application of Dow Corning 737).  It also made sense to replace the alternator belt (a Dayco 15355), though the original one had no signs of wear on it that I could see.

Following reinstall of the prop and a ground test, the new crankshaft seal has been functioning properly.  So that was an interesting experience.