FreeFlight Ranger FDL-978-RXD dual-band supported?

So, with Avidynes recent announcement that the FreeFlight Rangers would be the go-to solution for ADS-b in, I did a little browsing and found this model:  FDL-978-RXD which is a dual band version per their documentation here:  http://www.freeflightsystems.com/images/products/RANGR%20RX.pdf

Now, is this unit supported by our IFD's?   Any idea of how bad it would be for my shop to "swap" the Skytrax 100 out for one of these units?

Not sure what you mean.  The FAA doesn't transmit ADSB-in data via wifi, so *something* additional has to be present in the plane to receive the signal and deliver it to the IFD.  If you're implying that there are less-expensive and easily attainable boxes (like a Stratux) that can receive ADSB-in and then publish the data via wifi to attached devices, then I think the limitation is not a technical one but rather a regulatory/paperwork one:  The issue of an uncertified device feeding the ADSB datastream into a certified panel GPS.

Who knows what might be allowed in the future, but as of today (and for the foreseeable future) I don't think that's in the cards, so an approved device like an MLB100/Skytrax 100 (or whatever Freeflight device(s) replace that unit) is required.

_Years_ ago, Aspen announced a dual band ADS-B receiver "coming soon" - at least 4 years ago.

Maybe a year ago, at least some of us who bought the MLB100s were contacted and told that a "new solution" was coming soon, and that there would be an upgrade path for us - nada.

There have been _rumors_ that those of us who bought MLB100s had units which had at least the hardware to do 1090 MHz as well, but not software activated, and that when Navworx exited, that tantalizing possibility ended.

Almost all of us have non-certified components (in my case Stratux/Flight Box) which will not only do dual band, but also has an AHRS unit, so from the standpoint of tech, it can't be that hard?

be available in August.  I've requested a quote.

RPO

Their dual-band receiver is the only one I'm aware of that can replace the MLB100. I'd be interested in hearing from others that don't require a complete new transponder. 

I could replace my AXP340/MLB100 combo, but I would rather just replace the MLB100 with a dual-band receiver when one becomes available. In the meantime, I'm getting by with the single-band solution that I already have.