REFLECTOR: Metallic paint and antennas

[Al Gietzen]

Subject: REFLECTOR: Metallic paint and antennas

 

Al had recently asked about the advisability of silver metallic paint on the

underside of his Velocity.  Here's a recent post to the Aeroelectric list on

the subject of metallic paint and embedded antennas.

Keith

 

Keith;

Thanks for info.  I spoke with an avionics expert at Aerotronics, who
suggested that metallic paint is a potential problem for internal antennas.
He specifically mentioned the transponder.  If the metallic is only on the
underside of the fuselage, the coms in the tipsails, and VOR in the wings
are probably OK.

 

I know some Velocity builders have used the "pearl" white, which my paint
guy says also has metallic in it.  Anyone having any issue with that?

 

>--> AeroElectric-List message posted by: Bristolsabre at aol.com

>

>I plan to use metallic paint on my composite Mustang replica.

>The radio and VOR antennas are inside the verical and horizontal surfaces.

>I have heard from other builders that this will work, but none have been

able

>to tell me if the signal strenght/range is affected.

>Anybody have any experience with this?

>Tore

 

   That's easy.  It IS affected. Now's the hard part. Few folks

   will be able to tell you how much and even if we could

   tell you EXACTLY (Hey, Tore. Putting that antenna inside the

   vertical fin as you've described is going to attenuate your

   signal by 1.383 dB), how would that help you?

 

   Is changing paint an option? If not, use what you've planned.

   If radio performance proves to be less than satisfactory, then

   you KNOW where your investigation for improved performance will

   begin. You may find that the antennas work fine for the way

   you use your airplane and no further action is called for.

 

   Bob . . .

 

 

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