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kirkhull(at)kc.rr.com
Guest

Posted: Wed Nov 01, 2006 2:44 pm Post subject: radio problem

I have a strange radio problem.  I am using an Icom A4 it works great out of the airplane but will only transmit for about 5 sec when it is within 6 inches of any metal part of the airplane.  

   

It use to work fine in the plane.  Many changes have been made to the plane  but I have no idea what is causing the problem.  Any Ideas?   

       [quote][b]

temco(at)telusplanet.net
Guest

Posted: Wed Nov 01, 2006 3:55 pm Post subject: radio problem

Kirk  

   

First thing to check is your antenna. It seems like you have an open or short and your VSWR has gone west on you. This will cause your TX final in the set to heat and turn off.  If it works okay out of the plane on a different antenna then check you antenna for a short or open with a VOM  

   

Hope this helps  

   

Ted  

         

  

From: owner-kitfox-list-server(at)matronics.com [mailto:owner-kitfox-list-server(at)matronics.com] On Behalf Of kirk hull

 Sent: November 1, 2006 3:43 PM

 To: kitfox-list(at)matronics.com

 Subject: radio problem  

  

   

I have a strange radio problem.  I am using an Icom A4 it works great out of the airplane but will only transmit for about 5 sec when it is within 6 inches of any metal part of the airplane.  

   

It use to work fine in the plane.  Many changes have been made to the plane  but I have no idea what is causing the problem.  Any Ideas?    	  Quote: 	
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       [quote][b]

smokey_bear_40220(at)yaho
Guest

Posted: Wed Nov 01, 2006 4:18 pm Post subject: radio problem

Try a cable to a remote antenna outside of the plane

with the radio inside.  The rubber ducky you now have

put on the end of the cable will work for the test.



Just an idea about it...



Kurt S.  S-5



--- kirk hull <kirkhull(at)kc.rr.com> wrote:



 	  Quote: 	
		   I have a strange radio problem.  I am using an Icom

 A4 it works great out of

 the airplane but will only transmit for about 5 sec

 when it is within 6

 inches of any metal part of the airplane.


	


 	  Quote: 	
		   It use to work fine in the plane.  Many changes have

 been made to the plane

 but I have no idea what is causing the problem.  Any

 Ideas?


	




 

(http://voice.yahoo.com)

dan(at)azshowersolutions.
Guest

Posted: Wed Nov 01, 2006 4:45 pm Post subject: radio problem

I am beginnig to think the answer to that is because it is an Icom...I have had nothing but trouble with my A24. The transmission on my unit does very poor (no more than 3 miles line of sight) my $30 walkie talkies do 10 miles easy.

   

  Ok...to evaluate yours...

  1. Does it have emergency weather on it? If the weather is turned on, it will interfere with transmissions.

  2. Is your battery completely charged?

  3. I have found that the unit will not transmit (and if you ask, Icom will say you shouldn't) while it is charging or plugged in...go figure that one out. 

   

  I have sent mine in to get it fixed and they sent it back and said it checked out fine on the bench. My personal opinion about the Icom products...they suck.

  Dan 



kirk hull <kirkhull(at)kc.rr.com> wrote:

  [quote]              I have a strange radio problem.  I am using an Icom A4 it works great out of the airplane but will only transmit for about 5 sec when it is within 6 inches of any metal part of the [quote][b]

dave

Joined: 22 Sep 2006
Posts: 1382

Posted: Wed Nov 01, 2006 5:07 pm Post subject: radio problem

Dan I have several ICOM radios  A22, A  6  and A 24 .

  

 A6 rubber ducky in shop or a plane is fine .  

 a22  same  

 a24  will not transmit if plugged in to 12v or  11 v what ever it is.

 a24 with rubber ducky will squeal in plane and it  hooked through a sigtronics intercom.   But with the external antennae  it works fine and I the nav and com works flawless for receiving  fine  depending on altitude.   I talk to ATC 25 miles away or more under  2000 agl and no issues. 

 ICOM has a three yr warranty too and are pretty  good. 

  

 I just sent in summer a A 6 for a guy and they sent  back no charge a brand news a 24 and he is very happy with it. 

  

 So the guy with the  A 6 guy in plane  ?   try a different antenna. ?

  

  

 Dave 

  

  

 [quote]   ---

_________________
Realtime Kitfox movies to separate the internet chatter from the truth
http://www.youtube.com/user/kitfoxflyer
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dave

Joined: 22 Sep 2006
Posts: 1382

Posted: Wed Nov 01, 2006 5:10 pm Post subject: radio problem

Sorry it a A4 ---   possible your PA is  dying ? 

  

 Call ICOM  and if you got reciept under 3  years it free warranty job.

  

 Dave 

  

  

 [quote]   ---

kirkhull(at)kc.rr.com
Guest

Posted: Thu Nov 02, 2006 4:41 am Post subject: radio problem

I will have to get a wire but I will try that and let you know. This is just

weird.  It works great everywhere else just not in the plane.  Even with the

engine and master off.



--

kirkhull(at)kc.rr.com
Guest

Posted: Thu Nov 02, 2006 4:54 am Post subject: radio problem

I have been using the same antenna inside and outside the aircraft.  If I hold down the transmit button outside the aircraft it will transmit then if I move the radio toward the aircraft it will stop transmitting at about 6 inches of any metal part of the plane.  It works fine in the car.  

         

  

From: owner-kitfox-list-server(at)matronics.com [mailto:owner-kitfox-list-server(at)matronics.com] On Behalf Of Ted Palamarek

 Sent: Wednesday, November 01, 2006 5:54 PM

 To: kitfox-list(at)matronics.com

 Subject: RE: radio problem  

  

   

Kirk  

   

First thing to check is your antenna. It seems like you have an open or short and your VSWR has gone west on you. This will cause your TX final in the set to heat and turn off.  If it works okay out of the plane on a different antenna then check you antenna for a short or open with a VOM  

   

Hope this helps  

   

Ted  

         

  

From: owner-kitfox-list-server(at)matronics.com [mailto:owner-kitfox-list-server(at)matronics.com] On Behalf Of kirk hull

 Sent: November 1, 2006 3:43 PM

 To: kitfox-list(at)matronics.com

 Subject: radio problem  

  

   

I have a strange radio problem.  I am using an Icom A4 it works great out of the airplane but will only transmit for about 5 sec when it is within 6 inches of any metal part of the airplane.  

   

It use to work fine in the plane.  Many changes have been made to the plane  but I have no idea what is causing the problem.  Any Ideas?    	  Quote: 	
		     	
[/b]http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kitfox-List 	  Quote: 	
		  [b] 	
[/b] 	  Quote: 	
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        [quote][b]

dave

Joined: 22 Sep 2006
Posts: 1382

Posted: Thu Nov 02, 2006 5:06 am Post subject: radio problem

Kirk,



Do you have a GPS ?

If so they can play havoc on certain freq.

Dave

---

dave

Joined: 22 Sep 2006
Posts: 1382

Posted: Thu Nov 02, 2006 5:12 am Post subject: radio problem

Kirk,



Do you have a GPS ?

If so they can play havoc on certain freq.

Dave

---

dave

Joined: 22 Sep 2006
Posts: 1382

Posted: Thu Nov 02, 2006 5:18 am Post subject: radio problem

Kirk,



Do you have a GPS ?

If so they can play havoc on certain freq.

Dave

---

dave

Joined: 22 Sep 2006
Posts: 1382

Posted: Thu Nov 02, 2006 5:19 am Post subject: radio problem

Kirk,



Do you have a GPS ?

If so they can play havoc on certain freq.

Dave

---

dave

Joined: 22 Sep 2006
Posts: 1382

Posted: Thu Nov 02, 2006 5:20 am Post subject: radio problem

Kirk,



Do you have a GPS ?

If so they can play havoc on certain freq.

Dave

---

dave

Joined: 22 Sep 2006
Posts: 1382

Posted: Thu Nov 02, 2006 5:20 am Post subject: radio problem

Kirk,



Do you have a GPS ?

If so they can play havoc on certain freq.

Dave

---

Float Flyr

Joined: 19 Jul 2006
Posts: 2704
Location: Campbellton, Newfoundland

Posted: Thu Nov 02, 2006 6:19 am Post subject: radio problem

My guess is there has been a  piece of something metal, not grounded about 18-20" long in your cockpit that is  acting as a parasitic element and causing a high SWR on your antenna.  If  you can find that ( probably wire but could be something like a windshield  support ) ground it.  Circuits in your radio are protecting your output  transistors by shutting the radio down.  you could try an external  antenna... just make sure the base of the antenna is well  grounded.

  

  

 

Noel [quote]   

   --

_________________
Noel Loveys
Kitfox III-A
Aerocet 1100 Floats

Float Flyr

Joined: 19 Jul 2006
Posts: 2704
Location: Campbellton, Newfoundland

Posted: Thu Nov 02, 2006 6:43 am Post subject: radio problem

I just noticed the 6in. part of your post.  That makes me think I was all

wet about the parasitic causing a high SWR.  I assume you are using only the

"Rubber Ducky" antenna.



Try grounding the case of the radio around the outside of the BNC connector

(antenna connector) or any other convenient grounding point on the radio, to

the frame of the plane.  



If that doesn't work try the remote antenna and let us know if that corrects

the problem.



I'm not sure why but now I'm suspecting something out of kilter ( a wire off

somewhere) in your radio.  Has the radio been dropped?



Noel



[quote] --

_________________
Noel Loveys
Kitfox III-A
Aerocet 1100 Floats

Float Flyr

Joined: 19 Jul 2006
Posts: 2704
Location: Campbellton, Newfoundland

Posted: Thu Nov 02, 2006 6:54 am Post subject: radio problem

On item 3. 

  

 I guess the Icom aviation  walkie talkies don't have a DC to DC converter in them that processes  the charging voltage for use by the radio.  

  

 I have an Icom 02AT (Ham) that  is pushing close to 20 yr. now and it works perfectly.  That radio does  have the DC to DC converter in it and will work on DC voltages between 6V and  24V.  Higher voltages give slightly higher output.

  

 I also have an A24  that I did have a little trouble with a couple of years ago.  The  problem was not with the radio as I initially thought but believe it or  not, with the spark plugs in my engine.

  

  

 

Noel [quote]   

   --

_________________
Noel Loveys
Kitfox III-A
Aerocet 1100 Floats

kirkhull(at)kc.rr.com
Guest

Posted: Thu Nov 02, 2006 8:56 am Post subject: radio problem

The radio has not been droped and appears to work perfectly away from the

plane.



--

kirkhull(at)kc.rr.com
Guest

Posted: Thu Nov 02, 2006 8:59 am Post subject: radio problem

I did just install a narco xponder and encoder that are not wired up yet ( mounted in plane with no wires hooked up yet )  I thought of that and slid the Xponder out. The radio still did the same thing.  I did not remove the encoder. Do you think that might be causing the problem?  

         

  

From: owner-kitfox-list-server(at)matronics.com [mailto:owner-kitfox-list-server(at)matronics.com] On Behalf Of Noel Loveys

 Sent: Thursday, November 02, 2006 8:18 AM

 To: kitfox-list(at)matronics.com

 Subject: RE: radio problem  

  

     

My guess is there has been a piece of something metal, not grounded about 18-20" long in your cockpit that is acting as a parasitic element and causing a high SWR on your antenna.  If you can find that ( probably wire but could be something like a windshield support ) ground it.  Circuits in your radio are protecting your output transistors by shutting the radio down.  you could try an external antenna... just make sure the base of the antenna is well grounded.  

    

   

    

   

  

Noel  [quote]  

--

kirkhull(at)kc.rr.com
Guest

Posted: Thu Nov 02, 2006 9:01 am Post subject: radio problem

I do use a garmen pilot 4 but it is not installed now



--

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