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My Transponder Antenna Does Not Have Balls

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billhuntersemail(at)gmail
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Posted: Tue May 24, 2016 6:54 pm Post subject: My Transponder Antenna Does Not Have Balls

Hi all,  

I did not want to hijack my own thread about the transponder and ADS-B antenna co-location/Ground Plane Size so I figured I would start this one I just in case somebody else has this question. 

On my composite airplane the previous builder had installed the transponder antenna straight down through a hole in the floorboard. The base is attached to a metal groundplane that is mounted on top of the floor board under the back seat. 

This is all good except I noticed that to install the transponder antenna through the hole in the floorboard they cut the ball off the end of the antenna.  

Now I really don't care if my antenna have balls or not however my concern is if the length of the antenna has been shortened because the ball has been cut off is that going to affect the performance of the transmitter?  The airplane has minimal time on it and the previous owner flew VFR mostly so I cannot confirm or deny if the antenna was working good previously. 

These antennae are pretty cheap so if you all think that it might be best to replace the antenna with one with balls then I will do so. If not my neutered antenna will stay.  

Thanks for your help!

 

Bill Hunter

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user9253

Joined: 28 Mar 2008
Posts: 1929
Location: Riley TWP Michigan

Posted: Wed May 25, 2016 3:59 am Post subject: Re: My Transponder Antenna Does Not Have Balls

You are right that shortening the antenna will affect its performance.  A shorter antenna is resonant at a higher frequency.  Transponders transmit on 1090 and receive on 1030.  If the antenna is shortened, it might not receive as well.  Even more important is the risk of personal injury from a sharp antenna.

  Who is going to crawl under your airplane and look at the base of the antenna to see if the fiberglass has been patched?  And if people do that, then the antenna needs a ball on the end so that those people do not poke their eyes out or put another hole in their head.

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