Transponder Ant. was Re: REFLECTOR:anntenas
Wayne Owens
reflector@tvbf.org
Sat, 12 Apr 2003 08:12:45 -0400
Mode S transponders have the datalink capability.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Fred Marconi" <fmarconi@bellsouth.net>
To: <reflector@tvbf.org>
Sent: Saturday, April 12, 2003 4:52 AM
Subject: Re: Transponder Ant. was Re: REFLECTOR:anntenas
> Chris:
>
> I have a similar set up as you, except that I have the UPS transponder
mode
> C. Do we now have the ability to pick up the traffic around us through
our
> transponder antennas, so we do not need and additional pick up system?
> Clue me in please. I'm not flying yet but I am getting there.
>
> Fred
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: " Chris Martin" <christophercmartin@earthlink.net>
> To: <reflector@tvbf.org>; <reflector@tvbf.org>
> Sent: Friday, April 11, 2003 8:12 PM
> Subject: RE: Transponder Ant. was Re: REFLECTOR:anntenas
>
>
> > Scott,
> >
> > I also had a transponder mounted inside of the outside strake. Poor
> > reception by ATC. I moved it to the floor of the fuselage underneath the
> > retract gear and offset to the co-pilot side. I used a small 3"
> Transponder
> > antenna mounted on a 8" square aluminum plate. The antenna pokes through
a
> > hole in the floor of the fuselage and the backing plate is attached to
the
> > floor with 2 pop rivets. The cable attaches with a B & C connector. This
> is
> > the only antenna I have that is visible outside the plane. Only 2"
> actually
> > is visible. The ATC has no problem seeing this antenna transmission,
> really
> > excellent results. I recentally added the Garmen GTX 330 Mode S
> Transponder
> > with TIS (Traffic Information Service). This displays traffic on my
Garmin
> > 430 moving map. I can recieve the TIS information within 500 feet of the
> > ground. So, this new antenna is not only transmitting well but is
> receiving
> > well.
> >
> > For those of you that live in a high traffic area, (I live in one of the
> > busyest, Los Angeles). This TIS information is a wonderful aid. I
strongly
> > recomend it.
> >
> > Chris Martin
> > Velocity XL RG
> >
> >
> > > [Original Message]
> > > From: Scott Derrick <scott@tnstaafl.net>
> > > To: <reflector@tvbf.org>
> > > Date: 4/11/2003 5:36:05 AM
> > > Subject: Transponder Ant. was Re: REFLECTOR:anntenas
> > >
> > > I'll second Wayne's "DO NOT" for the transponder. Mine is in the
strake
> > > in the outside wing bolt hole space. I get periodic complaints from
ATC
> > > about intermittent transponder. I think I'll purchase another antenna
> > > and try mounting one closer to the transmitter.
> > >
> > > I don't want it out side though, don't have any external antennas now,
> > > and don't want any.
> > >
> > > Where's a good spot in a standard RG? I was thinking about mounting
it
> > > to the bottom of the rear seat?
> > >
> > > How big does the ground plane need to be?
> > >
> > > My GPS antenna is mounted to the inside of the nose access door, 4
feet
> > > of cable and works great.
> > >
> > > Scott
> > >
> > > Wayne Lanza wrote:
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Regarding the antennas, our experience at the builders center points
> to
> > > > the following:
> > > > > Transponder ANT = between the firewall and gear bulk head, on
> center
> > > > line. DO NOT
> > > > put this ANT out in the strake, many transponders don't like to
drive
> > > > this much wire!
> > > > > GPS = on top of the landing light or on top of the canard, keep
> this
> > > > wire under 8' long.
> > > > > Marker Beacon = Inside or outside of the keel, or on the floor
near
> > > > the keel. Locate
> > > > the foil such that you don't tear it up when upholstering or
mounting
> > > > the seats...
> > > > > Glide Slope = On the floor under the copilot front seat area.
> > > > > AM/FM = Not too critical, string a 23" piece of the ANT wire
> (center
> > > > conductor only)
> > > > across the under side of the structure in front of the canopy. Make
> > sure
> > > > that the pitch
> > > > trim spring doesn't interfere.
> > > > > ELT = Mount the ELT to the floor between the gear bulk head and
the
> > > > keel bulk head
> > > > on the copilot side. Run two 23" foils on a diagonal centered at the
> > > > fuselage joint, the
> > > > angle of the foils is such that they are fairly straight (they might
> > > > wrap onto the ceiling).
> > > > This is not super critical, but this antenna should be vertically
> > > > mounted not horizontal!
> > > > Use the torroids and connect the coax braid to the lower foil.
Secure
> > > > foils, torroids and
> > > > the end of the lead in coax with 1 ply of bid. This needs to be
> > > > shock/impact secured.
> > > > > ADF = I've heard of them :-)
> > > >
> > > > In general, use the correct type of coax (not TV wire or solid
center
> > > > conductor), use the
> > > > proper BNC terminals and appropriate tools. Keep the coax runs short
> > and
> > > > secure.
> > > >
> > > > Fly Safe,
> > > > Wayne Lanza
> > > > Composite Design, Inc.
> > > > (electrical weenie at the Velocity Builder's Center)
> > > > ____________________________________________________________________
> > > > On Friday, April 11, 2003, at 06:37 AM, Lynn Gallup wrote:
> > > >
> > > > Noel,
> > > > As near as possible, I followed the suggestions in the Velocity
> > > > manual. After 185 hours flying my airplane in a wide variety of
> > > > circumstances I can pronounce perfect operation of my nav & com
> > > > radios, localizer & glideslope, marker beacon receiver and
> > > > transponder. Even the ADF works acceptably although its range is
a
> > > > little short. The GPS would benefit from shielding or a slight
> > > > relocation as it will blank out if one of the nav receivers is
> tuned
> > > > to a particular VOR frequency. (Leakage of nav's IF frequency
> signal
> > > > out of the localizer antenna overcomes the satellite signals.)
> > > >
> > > > Mine is a hatch door, long wing, RG. The antenna locations are:
> > > >
> > > > Com antennas - In the tip sails.
> > > > Nav antenna - One shared antenna on top of fuselage about four
> > > > inches forward of engine bulkhead.
> > > > Marker beacon antenna - Along right side about two inches below
> > > > windows.
> > > > Transponder antenna - Bottom of fuselage below right rear seat.
> > > > ADF antennna - Bottom of fuselage below left rear seat.
> > > > Localizer antenna - On canard top surface, center-line of
> fuselage.
> > > > GPS antenna - Front of canard top, centered. Forward of
localizer
> > > > antenna. It should be remounted under the top of the fuselage
> above
> > > > the localizer antenna.
> > > >
> > > > Regards,
> > > > Lynn
> > > > =====================
> > > > At 11:46 PM 4/10/2003 Thursday, you wrote:
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Now that it's finally starting to warm up, I'm doing the
planning
> > > > for my summer project... The wings / canard.
> > > > I realize that antenna placement is variable, But...
> > > > What do I really need? Do I need a Com and Nav in each wing?
> > > > Where's the best place for a glideslope antenna. The keel was
> > > > already down when I got the kit.
> > > > I assume the transponder would be best on the floor, and the gps
> on
> > > > the ceiling.
> > > > What about something for the am/fm?
> > > > I've seen Don's elt antenna on the main wingspar shearweb, and
it
> > > > looked pretty survivable.
> > > >
> > > > What's popular / what's practical
> > > >
> > > > Noel 3suv103
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > >
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> >
> >
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