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antenna mounting

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jetech

Joined: 14 Dec 2008
Posts: 15

Posted: Sun Jun 21, 2009 6:04 am Post subject: antenna mounting

I am looking for ideas on mounting a antenna for a hand held VHF radio on a steel tube fabric covered airplane.



The original idea was to just use the short supplied antenna but it has been suggested that I could get better range with a mounted antenna.



Because of the original plan there wasn't any type of ground plane installed and adding one may be difficult. 



The plane is a Warner Sportster (new version of the Spacewalker II), it is a low wing two place tandem open cockpit fuselage. There is a wood turtledeck that runs from the aft cockpit to the tail.



About the best place would probably be on the belly but the ground plane would probably have to be on top of the tubing (because of stringers) with some type of spacer the length of the tube diameter to get the antenna base to the fabric. I am guessing that a antenna mounted inside the tube fuselage would be a mute point.



Any thoughts on this?



Thanks

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nuckolls.bob(at)aeroelect
Guest

Posted: Sun Jun 21, 2009 10:21 am Post subject: antenna mounting

At 09:04 AM 6/21/2009, you wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		  



I am looking for ideas on mounting a antenna for a hand held VHF 

radio on a steel tube fabric covered airplane.



The original idea was to just use the short supplied antenna but it 

has been suggested that I could get better range with a mounted antenna.


	


   A belly mounted antenna (either full size or

   a 'rubber duck') will perform better than

   the antenna installed on the hand-held.



 	  Quote: 	
		  Because of the original plan there wasn't any type of ground plane 

installed and adding one may be difficult.


	


   Not a big problem. If you can get a mounting

   bracket against the skin to support the antenna

   that is also well connected to tubular structure,

   then performance will not be appreciably enhance

   with a 'proper' ground plane.



   Try mounting a bulkhead mounted, BNC cable-connector



http://www.aeroelectric.com/Pictures/Connectors/Coax/BNC_Bulkhead_Female.jpg



   on the bracket and just move the radio mounted

   rubber-duck to this location. I think you'll find

   the performance to be very close to an

   idealized antenna installation.



I am guessing that a antenna mounted inside the tube fuselage would be

a mute point.



   Correct. Radiation through the fabric from

   inside the structure is pretty lame.

        Bob . . .



         ---------------------------------------

        ( . . .  a long habit of not thinking   )

        ( a thing wrong, gives it a superficial )

        ( appearance of being right . . .       )

        (                                       )

        (                  -Thomas Paine 1776-  )

         ---------------------------------------

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jetech

Joined: 14 Dec 2008
Posts: 15

Posted: Sun Jun 21, 2009 5:37 pm Post subject: Re: antenna mounting

Thanks Bob, That sounds easy enough to do.

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