Oneniner - sounds like a good plan.
I went with the TAILBEACON and STRATUX as I am "plankton on the food chain of aviation" in terms of financial resources for my humble Cessna 150!
Believe it or not, I was able to get ADSB in and ADSB out for less than $2,000 total by going with the TAILBEACON and the STRATUX.
I found both "on sale" and acted. Had I qualified for the rebate, I would have gotten them both for less than $1500, but because of delays witn uAvionix with certifications, I missed out.
Still, $2,000 for both is not too shabby.
I live between the Pittsburgh, Philly, Baltimore, Washington and Newark / New York Class B, with multiple Class C's and 60 mile veils PLUS the SFRA and FRZ, with some PROHIBITED and RESTRICTED airspace thrown in to boot! It was a MUST for up here...
Not sure if most folks know this, but you can legally fly UNDER a Class C shelft without ADSB out...seems silly to allow that, but then NOT allow us to fly to within 60 miles of a Class B, but it is what it is....
Flying around the DC area, it is NOT unusual to hear ATC tell a pilot to "call this number when you land" meaning you probalby are in for a violation.
We also have regular SFRA and FRZ busts where jets and helos can get real close to you...in addition to lasers and radars pointed at you in a not so friendly manner. Most pilots I know have already given up on flying in and around the DC area. The airports within the SFRA and FRZ are slowly drying up except for College Park, which seems to be doing OK. So, no way to get around it up here...
When I fly, the FISH FINDER pretty much lights up with all the traffic going between all those big cities. Most of it is well above me...
Anyway, sorry your STRATUX did not work out....sometimes you just get a lemon.
Good luck with your ADSB install - keep us posted on how you like it.
Mike N714AJ