Panel
	Here I am getting ready to solder my RMI MicroEncoder. It will act as my airspeed indicator, altimeter, vertical speed, outside air temperature gauge and transponder encoder. It comes in kit form or pre-assembled. I got the kit. Al I needed as a few simple tools and a soldering iron. Also I recommend getting your bifocal prescription checked. There a about a million tiny parts that you have to assemble. I bought a magnifying light like you see here.   6/10/01
	The instructions are very detailed and even though this was my first electronics project since building crystal radios in Junior High, I was able to assemble it over a weekend with no problems..   6/10/01
	Here I am inserting the chips. Notice the anti-static work surface and wrist band. These are a must, especially if you live in a dry climate or during the winter. This picture shows the unit almost completely assembled. When you pull it out of the box it is just an intimidating pile of components. However, everything is clearly labeled and it went together just as the manual says.   6/10/01
	Here the soldering is finished and it is on to the freezer. Yes, freezer. Part of the burn-in process is 1 hour in the freezer. Then it goes into a 140° over for 48 hours and then back into the freezer for 1 hour. If it survives that it will have no problem in your cockpit on a sunny day or the coldest winter.   6/10/01
	Here is the back of the MicroEncoder. The top two plugs are for the pitot and static lines. The lower right connector is for the connections tot he transponder. Their manual has the pinouts for almost every transponder you might want to use. The lower left connector is for the power, OAT, audio out and serial connections.   6/10/01
	Here is the MicroEncoder powered up in my panel. I could then spend a lot of time garage flying.. er rather verifying the ergonomic cockpit factors (it was a blast) To the right of the MicroEncoder is the EIS. I mounted it from behind the panel so that I would not have such a big hole in my panel. Below that is the hole for my Garmin GTX 320 transponder. It was a real pain to mount and I wish Microair had their  2 1/2" transponder ready when I needed it.   6/10/01
	I debated whether to leave my panel brushed AL or to paint it. Since most of my instruments have black faces I thought it would look better painted. I used a self-etching primer on the AL and then a satin black automotive trim paint on the top of the primer. .   6/10/01
	For labels I used my laser printer. I designed the labels in Visio and printed them onto clear plastic labels I got from the local office supply store. I then laminated them onto white paper labels. The plastic clear labels are water proof and the white labels give the the contrast to stand out on the black background. Also the clear labels have a satin finish that nicely matches the black satin paint.   6/10/01
	You can use the clear labels without the white labels for an unpainted panel. If you want to look at my Visio document you can download it by clicking here.   6/10/01
	Here I am a little further along with my panel. I am beginning to see the wisdom of a more simple Sonex panel. You will note that I have not installed the gas tank or glare screen yet. It makes it much easier to install the instruments and wiring.  I also made a lot of use of Bill Von Dane's Experemental Panel Builder to lay out my panel, thanks Bill. 7/23/01
	Here you can see the left side of my panel. I have made a couple of changes. In the center, where I was going to install a attitude indicator, I am installing a angle of attack indicator. It is a home made unit that is similar to the "Lift Reserve Indicator". It can built for less than $60. http://www.snyder.on.ca/pages/lri.htm  You will also note the ammeter above the starter switch. I could not decide whether to put the shunt on the main buss feed or the alternator buss feed. So I put a shunt on each and connected them to a DPDT switch so I can check both amperages. 7/23/01
	Here you can see how I cut the mounting hole for the EIS. Rather than one big hole which I thought would weaken the panel, I just cut holes for the display and buttons. The EIS has a back light but it was too bright for night flying. Grand Rapids offered to change my unit so I could use my external dimmer if I sent them the unit.  I also mounted a watch on the panel. This one can do military style time, has two time zones (local and zulu), stopwatch, timer and can be set by turning the front bezel. Timex i-Control Expedition.   7/23/01
	Here is a FAA required placard. You should always point this out to your passengers. It will put their mind as ease.  Also note the remote control for the ELT just above the placard 7/23/01
	Here is my throttle quadrant. I messed up when I installed the carb heat knob. The housing rotated as I tightened the nut and wrinkled the label. I will have to replace that.   7/23/01
	Here is a close-up of the cabin heat knob and head phone jacks. I used washers from Aeroelectric to isolate the jacks from the airframe.   7/23/01
	Here is my flap gauge for my electric flaps.   7/23/01

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