Antenna issue with Garmin 496

[wpierce]

On my flight over to GSO last week my 496 started acting up. Lost satellite reception was the error and then searching for WAAS message popped up and didn't go away. I did a power cycle and it didn't seem to help. I was using the small attached antenna and the unit on top of the glare shield so nothing should have been blocking the signal.

I took the small antenna off and replaced it with the wired one and it worked the rest of the way. It had a little problem on the way back home though. At first it lost the altitude and heading/course but I powered down and powered back up and had no problems afterward.

Have any of you experienced a problem like this? I've not contacted Garmin but I will if you guys don't have any ideas... It does have the latest software upgrade. I upgraded between my last two trips and I did not have problems on the trip before this one... that I remember.

I thought I was going to have to turn around and go home without having a pink line, it made me real nervous. I mean nothing but a chart and a watch and an E6B to figure out where I was and where I was going.. How could I possibly get where I wanted to go?

 

[Dave Siciliano]

I always use the wired antenna and lay it over on the glareshield. I did have issues with the small antenna in my plane. I use the small antenna in the car.

Best,

Dave

 

[gprellwitz]

I've occasionally had problems with the small antenna when using the yoke mount or with it in my lap, especially on a N/S heading. No problems using the wired antenna (which I've only done once).