REFLECTOR: Poor Comm Performance

[Kirk Aragon]

Larry,

I believe that N360TV was built to plan (as far as radios are concerned). Coax does appear to run out to both winglets, but COM1 has been disconnected from the winglet and is connected to an external antenna on the bottom of the aircraft. The coax for COM2 is still connected to the winglet (but I'm assuming the sheath seperated). Aluminum foil is an interesting idea. I'll have to test with COM1.

Thanks

Kirk

From: lwcoen at hotmail.com
To: reflector at tvbf.org
Date: Tue, 4 Sep 2007 04:53:36 -1200
Subject: Re: REFLECTOR: Poor Comm Performance










Kirk,
 
If your airplane was built according to plan then you 
should already have comm. antennas located in the winglets in the rudder 
channels.  You might want to go looking for a coax coming inboard from the 
wings.  As for the external antenna ground plane, it doesn't have to be 
flat.  Gluing aluminum foil to the inside of the cabin roof will make a 
workable ground plane for a rooftop antenna.  I have a SE/RG with winglet 
antennas and my Terra stack is good for 50 miles.
 
Larry Coen
N136LC
SE/RG Franklin/IVO

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: 
  Kirk 
  Aragon 
  To: reflector at tvbf.org 
  Sent: Tuesday, September 04, 2007 4:17 
  AM
  Subject: REFLECTOR: Poor Comm 
  Performance
  

Hi all,

Since I purchased my Velocity, I've noticed 
  very poor COM performance on both COMs. Range is not much more than 3 miles 
  with COM1 and COM2 appears not to work at all. Because of this, I will not fly 
  into Class A, B, C, or D airspace. This limits my travel options quite a bit 
  and I was looking for advice on new antenna placement. 

Since I'm 
  assuming that my radio cable has disconnected from COM2 and I'm already using 
  an external antenna for COM1, I've looked at several internal and external 
  antenna options, but consistently note that ground plane is needed for the 
  correct functioning of the external antenna. I can't find a single flat place 
  that is 42" or greater and attribute the poor performance of COM1 to this 
  fact. I also don't like the idea of an external antenna from an aesthetic 
  point of view and would like the aircraft to be as "clean" as 
  possible.

Recently, I came across Advance Aircraft Electronics 
  (http://www.advancedaircraft.com/index.htm) and their linear antennas. It 
  seems like these would work great in the winglets. However, since I did not 
  build my aircraft and the winglets are already "glassed," would this be a good 
  candidate area for installation? If so, can anyone estimate the amount of work 
  this might entail (no repairman certificate = lots of $$$)? Is there a better 
  location for installation?

I haven't used my Terra stack in IMC, but 
  intend to get my instrument rating in the next year. The poor COM performance 
  has me worried that my antenna installations will not be up to the task. I 
  would definitely appreciate guidance.

Thank you

Kirk 
  Aragon
N360TV (SE/RG) 





  
  

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