Except as expressly provided herein, no part of this manual may be reproduced, copied,
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the express prior written consent of Garmin. Garmin hereby grants permission to download a
single copy of this manual and of any revision to this manual onto a hard drive or other electronic
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provided that such electronic or printed copy of this manual or revision must contain the complete
text of this copyright notice and provided further that any unauthorized commercial distribution of
this manual or any revision hereto is strictly prohibited.
Garmin International, Inc.
1200 E. 151st Street
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Aviation Panel-Mount Technical Support Line (Toll Free) 1.888.606.5482
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Garmin aviation support and warranty information can be found at www.flygarmin.com
RECORD OF REVISIONS
RevisionRevision DateDescription
203/18/16Updated bracket names
306/06/16Added Bluetooth install guidance
408/22/16Added Disabling Bluetooth info
502/06/17Updated lighting bus info
608/21/17Updated Transmitter Grant of Equipment Authorization info
703/09/18Updated Post Installation Checkout Procedure
.
190-01879-11GMA 245/245R Installation Manual
Rev. 7Page A
CURRENT REVISION DESCRIPTION
Revision
7
Page
Number
iiFront SectionAdded Software License Agreement
2-32.3.2Updated insulating washer list
2-92.9.6Updated Front Panel Configuration info in Figure 2-3
3-19,
3-20
B-6Appdx BAdded panel cutout drawing Figure B-6
C-2, C-3,
C-5, C-6
Section
Number
3.7
Appdx CUpdated Figures C-2, C-3, C-5, and C-6
Updated and removed sections of the Post Installation
Checkout procedure
Description of Change
INFORMATION SUBJECT TO EXPORT CONTROL LAWS
This document may contain information which is subject to the Export Administration Regulations
("EAR") issued by the United States Department of Commerce (15 CFR, Chapter VII, Subchapter C) and
which may not be exported, released, or disclosed to foreign nationals inside or outside of the United States
without first obtaining an export license. The preceding statement is required to be included on any and all
reproductions in whole or in part of this manual.
190-01879-11GMA 245/245R Installation Manual
Rev. 7Page i
DEFINITIONS OF WARNINGS, CAUTIONS, AND NOTES
WARNING
NOTE
NOTE
This product, its packaging, and its components contain chemicals known to the State of
California to cause cancer, birth defects, or reproductive harm. This Notice is being
provided in accordance with California's Proposition 65. If you have any questions or
would like additional information, please refer to our web site at www.garmin.com/prop65
.
Throughout this document, the use of GMA 245 refers to both the GMA 245 and the
GMA 245R unless specifically noted otherwise.
The Bluetooth® word mark and logos are registered trademarks owned by Bluetooth SIG,
Inc. and any use of such marks by Garmin is under license.
SOFTWARE LICENSE AGREEMENT
BY USING THE DEVICE, COMPONENT OR SYSTEM MANUFACTURED OR SOLD BY GARMIN
(“THE GARMIN PRODUCT”), YOU AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS
OF THE FOLLOWING SOFTWARE LICENSE AGREEMENT. PLEASE READ THIS AGREEMENT
CAREFULLY. Garmin Ltd. and its subsidiaries (“Garmin”) grants you a limited license to use the
software embedded in the Garmin Product (the “Software”) in binary executable form in the normal
operation of the Garmin Product. Title, ownership rights, and intellectual property rights in and to the
Software remain with Garmin and/or its third-party providers. You acknowledge that the Software is the
property of Garmin and/or its third-party providers and is protected under the United States of America
copyright laws and international copyright treaties. You further acknowledge that the structure,
organization, and code of the Software are valuable trade secrets of Garmin and/or its third-party providers
and that the Software in source code form remains a valuable trade secret of Garmin and/or its third-party
providers. You agree not to reproduce, decompile, disassemble, modify, reverse assemble, reverse
engineer, or reduce to human readable form the Software or any part thereof or create any derivative works
based on the Software. You agree not to export or re-export the Software to any country in violation of the
export control laws of the United States of America.
190-01879-11GMA 245/245R Installation Manual
Rev. 7Page ii
Transmitter Grant of Equipment Authorization
1. FCC
Contains FCC ID: QOQWT32I
NOTE
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
FCC RF Radiation Exposure Statement:
This equipment complies with FCC radiation exposure limits set forth for an uncontrolled environment.
End users must follow the specific operating instructions for satisfying RF exposure compliance. This
transmitter meets both portable and mobile limits as demonstrated in the RF Exposure Analysis. This
transmitter must not be co-located or operating in conjunction with any other antenna or transmitter except
in accordance with FCC multi-transmitter product procedures.
2. IC
Contains IC: 5123A-BGTWT32I
NOTE
This device complies with Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada license-exempt RSS
standard(s). Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause
interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference, including interference that may cause
undesired operation of the device.
Cet appareil est conforme aux normes RSS sans licence du ministére Innovation, Sciences et
Développement économique Canada. Son fonctionnement est soumis aux deux conditions suivantes :
(1) ce périphérique ne doit pas causer d’interférences et (2) doit accepter toute interférence, y compris les
interférences pouvant entraîner un fonctionnement indésirable de l’appareil.
3. Declaration of Conformity
Hereby, Garmin declares that this product is in compliance with the Directive 2014/53/EU. The full text of
the EU declaration of conformity is available at the following internet address:
190-01879-11GMA 245/245R Installation Manual
Rev. 7Page ix
1 GENERAL DESCRIPTION
1.1 Introduction
This manual is intended to provide mechanical and electrical information for use in the planning and
design of an installation of the GMA 245 into an aircraft. This manual is not a substitute for an approved
airframe-specific maintenance manual, installation design drawing, or complete installation data package.
Attempting to install equipment by reference to this manual alone and without first planning or designing
an installation specific to your aircraft may compromise your safety and is not recommended.
1.2 Equipment Description
The Garmin GMA 245 Audio Panel is not a TSO-certified product and has received no FAA approval or
endorsement.
The GMA 245 is a high-fidelity digital audio panel that collects, processes, and distributes audio signals to
crew and passengers. The GMA 245 digital signal processing (DSP) core filters the audio signals and
provides digital audio routing to minimize noise.
The GMA 245 provides a speaker output for use as a cockpit speaker. The GMA 245 also includes a
cockpit voice recorder and playback feature to help in situations where a COM transmission may need to
be heard again. In addition, the GMA 245 uses Bluetooth for listening to music and making phone calls, or
sending headset audio to a VIRB XE, and a 10 Watt USB charge port for phones and tablets.
Other features include intuitive configuration, a lighting bus input, SD Card socket for code loads and
Bluetooth firmware updates, an 8 position DIP switch for installation settings, and multiple audio
switching functions. LED-illuminated push-buttons (keys) allow audio selection and annunciation for
selection of NAV, COM, and other audio. Photocell dimming circuitry automatically adjusts the brightness
of the annunciators. Backlighting is controlled by the aircraft lighting bus inputs if the lighting bus is
connected. If the lighting bus is not connected, backlighting is controlled by the photocell. A fail-safe
circuit connects the pilot's headset and microphone directly to COM 1 and a fail-safe warning audio input
in the event that power is interrupted or the unit is turned off.
The GMA 245 has 2 music inputs in addition to the Bluetooth, NAV, COM, and ICS selections. The
GMA 245 is easily configurable without an external PC connection. The GMA 245 has automatic intercom
squelch and optional keyed intercom squelch. The GMA 245 also contains a CAN Bus that will interface
to the G3X Touch system.
Microphone input impedance: 150 Ω (compatible with 150 to 600 Ω mics)
Microphone bias voltage: 11 Vdc delivered through 470 Ω
Intercom isolation modes: 3 - Pilot, Crew, and All
Telephone interfaces: 1 full-duplex (use rear LRU pins or Bluetooth)
ICS Auto-Squelch/VOX: Independent DSP (digital signal processing) determined
thresholds for each mic
Note that keyed intercom is optional. Auto-squelch not available when using
keyed ICS.
Power, Load, and Distortion: 65 mW into 150 Ohms with <10%
Headphone
Outputs
Music Functions
Bluetooth
Connectivity
THD+N @ 10% output <3% THD+N
Typical Operating Distortion: <1% THD+N
3dB Frequency Response Bandwidth: 20 Hz to 20 kHz for Music
350 Hz to 6.5 kHz for Other Audio (MICs, Radios, Alerts)
Music inputs (stereo): 2
Music input impedance: 600 Ω (differential)
Music gain: +24dB @ max. volume
Music input level:<200 mVrms for full power* output @ max music volume knob
position (typ.)
3.0 Vrms max music input level
Music bandwidth: 20 Hz to 20 kHz @ full power output
Music distortion: <0.1% THD+N (typ.) @ full power, full bandwidth
*Full power output refers to 65 mW into 150 Ω at the headset
Bluetooth 3.00 Compliant, allows music, cell phone calls, and interface with the
VIRB XE action camera. Bluetooth supports HFP (including HFP v1.6 Wide
Band Speech mode), A2DP, and AVRCP.
The GMA stores 10 paired devices and overwrites the least recently connected
device when a new device is paired. Only 1 Bluetooth connection allowed at one
time. The VIRB XE cannot be connected when using a phone (and vice versa).
USB Charge Port
Aircraft VoltageSpeaker ImpedanceOutput Power
14V
28V
USB charge port - Rated for 10 W. The GMA 245 charge port features USB port
detection that will connect the optimum charge rate for the device connected.
The charge port supports a maximum of 2.1 Amp charge current for devices.
The USB charge port will shutdown and protect the GMA for current draw above
The following publications are sources of additional information for installing the GMA 245. The installer
should read all referenced materials along with this manual before attempting installation.
This section provides the necessary information for the installation and checkout of the GMA 245 Audio
Panel. Installation of the GMA 245 will differ according to equipment location and other factors. The
appendices contain interconnect wiring diagrams, mounting dimensions, and information pertaining to
installation.
Careful planning and consideration of the suggestions in this section are required to achieve the desired
performance and reliability from the GMA 245. The guidance of FAA advisory circulars AC 43.13-1B and
AC 43.13-2B, where applicable, may be found useful for making retro-fit installations that comply with
FAA regulations.
2.2 Installation Materials
2.2.1Unit Configurations
Table 2-1 Catalog Part Numbers
ModelCatalog Part NumberUnit Only Part Number
GMA 245 Unit Only010-01318-00011-03519-00
GMA 245 Standard (includes
items in Table 2-2)
GMA 245R Unit Only010-01471-00011-03784-00
GMA 245R Standard Kit
(includes items in Table 2-3)
010-01318-01011-03519-00
010-01471-01011-03784-00
2.3 Available Accessories
2.3.1Standard Accessories
Table 2-2 Contents of GMA 245 Standard Installation Kit
ItemPart Number
Sub-Assy, Back Plate, GMA 245/245R (also used for GMA 240/340) (Table 2-4)011-00678-00
Conn Kit, GMA 245/245R (also used for GMA 35/350) (Table 2-5)011-02302-00
Sub-Assy, GMA 245, Ring Terminal screw/washer access kit (Table 2-6)011-04151-00
SMP, Install Rack, GMA 245 (also used for GMA 240/340)115-00262-00
Table 2-3 Contents of GMA 245R Standard Kit
ItemPart Number
Side Mount Bracket, GMA 245R011-04150-00
Connector Kit, GMA 245R (see Table 2-8)011-03828-00
•Cables: The installer will fabricate and supply all system cables. Interconnect wiring diagrams are
detailed in Appendix C
•Hardware: #6-32 100° flat head screw (6 ea.) and #6-32 self-locking nut (6 ea.). Hardware
required to mount the GMA 245 installation rack is not provided.
•Stereo headphone jacks (up to 6), microphone jacks (up to 6), 3.5mm stereo jacks (up to 2).
Insulating type jacks or insulating washers should be used for all jacks to isolate them from aircraft
chassis.
•For GMA 245R, Hardware: (4-6 ea) #10-32 bolts and (4-6 ea) #10-32 self-locking nut for
installing the mounting bracket to the aircraft frame.
•For GMA 245, Tool: 3/32" Allen for tightening the unit into the rack and backplate.
•Push/Pull (that can be manually reset) circuit breaker (5 Amp recommended).
•Tie Wraps or Lacing Cord
•Ring Terminals (for grounding) #8 size, Yellow, Blue, and Pink.
•Silicon Fusion Tape (GPN 249-00114-00) to wrap the cable bundle. Silicone fusion tape is
available at most major suppliers like Mouser, Digi-key, and Home Depot.
•Solder Sleeves for terminating the shields of the cable to the GMA backshell. See Section 3.3
part numbers.
•Optional USB Type A Panel Mount/Bulkhead Jack to Type A USB male cable to use with
GMA 245R for connecting to a panel mounted USB jack. Example L-COM parts for referenceUPMAA-1M (3.3 feet), UPMAA-075M (2.46 feet), UPMAA-05M (1.64 feet).
•Heat shrink tubing
•SD card needed for updating software in the GMA 245 when not integrated in a G3X Touch
system. Garmin recommends using a 4 GB Sandisk® SD card.
.
for
Insulating Washers for Headset and Microphone Jacks can be found at the following suppliers:
The GMA 245 interfaces with various avionics equipment. Fabrication of a wiring harness is required.
Sound mechanical and electrical methods and practices are required for installation of the GMA 245.
3D audio is not available when using a mono headset or in aircraft wired with mono
headset jacks. 3D audio (even if enabled), will not be available with mono audio headset
jacks or mono headsets. It is recommended that stereo jacks and stereo headsets be used.
2.5 GMA 245R Status LED
The GMA 245R has red and green status LEDs visible on the front of the unit that indicate the unit’s
current status. The status indications are:
Table 2-9 Status LED Indications
LED IndicationDescription
No Light No Power
Steady GreenOn, but not communicating via CAN Bus
Flashing GreenOn and communicating via CAN Bus
Red Hardware Fault
Alternating Red/Green
CAN bus network error two similar devices are
configured with the same unit ID
2.6 GMA 245R Installation Guidance for Best Bluetooth Performance
The GMA 245 (panel mount) provides optimal Bluetooth performance because the Bluetooth transceiver is
mounted inside the cockpit with an unobstructed view of the phone and other devices being used in the
cockpit. Good Bluetooth performance can be also be obtained with the GMA 245R (remote mount) if
mounting location and orientation are selected to keep the instrument panel (and other aircraft metal
structures) from blocking the Bluetooth signal.
GMA 245R mounting location/orientation will vary for each installation depending on aircraft body type
(metal or fiberglass) and the surrounding structures/equipment. The GMA 245R Bluetooth transceiver is
located behind the black plastic front face of the unit as shown in the red rectangle in Figure 2-1.
Figure 2-1 GMA 245R Bluetooth Transceiver Location
For best performance, mount the GMA 245R with the front of the unit facing the cockpit and centered
laterally between the two aircraft sides. For example, mounting the GMA 245R at the bottom of a center
radio stack facing into the cockpit (aft) typically works well, although mounting it just below the
instrument panel would likely produce better results.
Mounting the GMA 245R with the front of the unit facing perpendicular to the cockpit (facing the left or
NOTE
right side of the aircraft), whether vertically or horizontally mounted, may have reduced connectivity
depending on which side of the aircraft surrounding structures/equipment are located.
Mounting the GMA 245R with the face down can function well in locations where the face of the
GMA 245R is oriented towards the aircraft cockpit floor, with the area between the floor and the aircraft
panel open. Mounting the GMA 245R with the face up can work well depending on what structures/
equipment are located between the GMA 245R and the cockpit.
Mounting the GMA 245R with the front face of the unit facing forward may work in some installations,
but generally results in reduced Bluetooth performance.
Do not install the GMA 245R in a metal box or beneath a floor panel, as this will attenuate (decrease) the
Bluetooth signal. If the installation contains another device that provides a Bluetooth interface, mount the
devices apart from each other as much as possible (at minimum, leave a small gap between the devices) to
prevent signal interference.
2.7 Cabling and Wiring
Refer to the interconnect examples in Appendix C for wire gauge guidance.
In some cases, a larger gauge wire such as AWG #18 or #20 may be needed for power connections. If
using AWG #18 barrel contacts, ensure that no two contacts are mounted directly adjacent to each other.
This minimizes the risk of contacts touching and shorting to adjacent pins and to ground.
Use wire and cable meeting the applicable aviation regulation. When routing wire and cable, observe the
following precautions:
•Keep wire and cable as short and direct as possible
•Avoid sharp bends
•Avoid routing near power sources (e.g. 400 Hz generators, trim motors, etc) or near power of
fluorescent lighting
• For Power and Ground use 2 individual wires for the units to the power source. Do not splice 2
wires to one at the unit for power and ground.
Avoid installing the unit near heat sources. If this is not possible, ensure that additional
cooling is provided. Allow adequate space for installation of cables and connectors. The
installer will supply and fabricate all of the cables.
2.8 Cooling Air
The GMA 245 does not have provisions for attaching cooling air, however the thermal characteristics of
the installation should always be assessed. An undesirable thermal condition could be created due to the
unit's own internal power dissipation combined with restricted ventilation, or due to heat generated by
adjacent equipment. Limiting thermal build up, by means of fan or natural convection is always a good
practice and recommended to increase the product life.
The GMA 245 has several configuration/adjustment options (see Section 2.9.6). These configuration/
adjustments are as follows:
•Wired Telephone Volume
•Auxiliary 1 Volume
•Auxiliary 2 Volume
•Auxiliary 3 Volume
•Alert 1 Volume
•Alert 2 Volume
•Alert 3 Volume
•Alert 4 Volume
•Speaker Volume
•Master Avionics Squelch (Section 2.9.1)
•High Cockpit Noise Option (Section 2.9.2)
•Music In Isolation Option (Section 2.9.3)
•Alerts Mute Music Option (Section 2.9.4)
2.9.1Master Avionics Squelch (MASQ) Function
MASQ functions to prevent low level noise from being passed to the headset ear speakers, this is known as
“squelching” or muting the audio. To “break” or “open” squelch means that enough audio signal is present
that the signal is passed through and can be heard. Increasing this setting increases the signal level
required to break/open squelch. If needed, adjust the MASQ SQ level so the audio background noise is
muted.
2.9.2High Cockpit Noise Option
Enable to help reduce intercom background noise in very high noise cockpit environments. Disabled by
default.
2.9.3Music In Isolation Option
Enable to allow pilot and copilot to hear selected music when PILOT or CREW isolation mode is active.
Disabled by default.
2.9.4Alert Mute Music Option
Disable this option to prevent music from being muted when alert audio is heard. Enabled by default.
The DIP switches are used to select the configuration settings listed in Table 2-10, and are located on the
right side of the unit next to the SD card slot as shown in Figure 2-2.
SD CARD SLOT
DIP SWITCHES
Figure 2-2 SD Card Slot and DIP Switch Locations
2.9.5.1GMA 245 DIP Switch Configuration Settings
The GMA 245 DIP switch configuration settings are listed in Table 2-10.
Per the label attached to the
top cover of the unit, the down switch position is ON, the up switch position is OFF.
When set to ON, the intercom system (ICS) will only allow intercom
MIC audio to be heard when the corresponding ICS KEY for the MIC
position is pressed. When set to ON, auto squelch will NOT be active.
This setting is for intercom 3D audio. Normally the Pilot will be
positioned to the left in the Copilot’s headset, and the Copilot will be
positioned to the right in the Pilot’s headset. When set to ON, this
setting reverses that so the Pilot is positioned to the right in the
Copilot’s headset, and the Copilot is positioned to the left in the Pilot’s
headset.
When set to ON, the monitored COM radio is muted during micselected COM transmission (mic-selected COM is still heard, but not
the monitored COM radio).
4RESERVEDLEAVE SWITCH IN OFF POSITION
5RESERVEDLEAVE SWITCH IN OFF POSITION
6RESERVEDLEAVE SWITCH IN OFF POSITION
7RESERVEDLEAVE SWITCH IN OFF POSITION
When set to ON, this prevents use of the GMA 245’s config mode UI.
8
CONFIGURATION
LOCKOUT
When installed in a G3X Touch system, this setting prevents the use of
the GMA 245’s config mode UI, but it does not prevent an integrated
G3X Touch system from configuring the unit.