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GPS Antenna Mounting

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orchidman

Joined: 10 Jul 2006
Posts: 277
Location: Oklahoma City - KRCE

Posted: Sat Sep 06, 2008 1:51 pm Post subject: GPS Antenna Mounting

I am to the point of needing to mount or at least drill the holes for the 430W GPS antenna.  I want to put it on top of the cabin but it looks like I have 2 options.

On the cabin top center line for/aft; One is just behind the aft door posts where the top is rather thin.  The second location is centered between the door hinges where the top is very thick.

Using the aft location, I don't think I would have any problems with screw length or attaching the coax.

If I were to use the location between the door hings, I am concerned about getting the coax connected and to a lesser extent the screws and what I would have the nuts tighten up against.



Where are others mounting their antenna and any thoughts?

_________________
Gary Blankenbiller
RV10 - # 40674
(N2GB Flying)

ron.mcgann(at)baesystems.
Guest

Posted: Sat Sep 06, 2008 2:53 pm Post subject: GPS Antenna Mounting

G'day Gary,



I mounted mine on the top cabin centreline aft of the door posts in the thinner material.  Even there, the thickness of the cabin is close to 1/2" and the GPS antenna studs were not long enough.  The studs are no where near long enough to penetrate the forward (thicker) part of the cabin.  I made some extensions out of steel tube tapped for the antenna studs, and threaded on the outside for the nuts.  A bit of work but came out great.  Antenna lead passed through the windshield support brace and through a small cover strip down the cabin top.



I think you can buy an alternate antenna that has a flange mount rather than the studs.  This (and some rivnuts)is probably a better option if you want to mount the antenna to the lid.



cheers,

Ron

--

pitts_pilot(at)bellsouth.
Guest

Posted: Sat Sep 06, 2008 3:02 pm Post subject: GPS Antenna Mounting

I don't know why you'd want to go to all that trouble unless your 430W 

is mounted to the cabin top too.  I'm nowhere near the point of mounting 

anything electronic, so bear with me.  Why not mount the GPS antenna 

(and any other satellite antenna) on the glareshield????    The signal 

attenuation due to the windshield is negligible.  You could  hide it 

under the cowl (I think even under the cabin top) as long as the carbon 

fiber isn't above it.  Mine will probably go on the glareshield.

Linn

do not archive

orchidman wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		   



 I am to the point of needing to mount or at least drill the holes for the 430W GPS antenna.  I want to put it on top of the cabin but it looks like I have 2 options.

 On the cabin top center line for/aft; One is just behind the aft door posts where the top is rather thin.  The second location is centered between the door hinges where the top is very thick.

 Using the aft location, I don't think I would have any problems with screw length or attaching the coax.

 If I were to use the location between the door hings, I am concerned about getting the coax connected and to a lesser extent the screws and what I would have the nuts tighten up against.



 Where are others mounting their antenna and any thoughts?



 --------

 Gary Blankenbiller

 RV10 - # 40674

 Instrument Panel, Fiberglass - SB

 (N2GB registered)





 Read this topic online here:



 http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p 2951#202951

mckervey(at)charter.net
Guest

Posted: Sat Sep 06, 2008 4:17 pm Post subject: GPS Antenna Mounting

For mounting between the doors you can use aluminum tube standoffs. drill 

the top skin the diameter of the screw and the inner cabin top for a snug 

fit of the standoff.



Hope this helps



Joe

---

orchidman

Joined: 10 Jul 2006
Posts: 277
Location: Oklahoma City - KRCE

Posted: Sat Sep 06, 2008 6:33 pm Post subject: Re: GPS Antenna Mounting

 	  pitts_pilot(at)bellsouth. wrote: 	
		  I don't know why you'd want to go to all that trouble unless your 430W 

is mounted to the cabin top too.  I'm nowhere near the point of mounting 

anything electronic, so bear with me.  Why not mount the GPS antenna 

(and any other satellite antenna) on the glareshield????    The signal 

attenuation due to the windshield is negligible.  You could  hide it 

under the cowl (I think even under the cabin top) as long as the carbon 

fiber isn't above it.  Mine will probably go on the glareshield.

Linn

	


Linn,

In the archives there is a rather large number of people experiencing problems mounting on the glare shield or under the cowl.

I don't want to risk having a problem and having to 're-do' it.

Thanks,

Gary

_________________
Gary Blankenbiller
RV10 - # 40674
(N2GB Flying)

orchidman

Joined: 10 Jul 2006
Posts: 277
Location: Oklahoma City - KRCE

Posted: Sat Sep 06, 2008 6:43 pm Post subject: Re: GPS Antenna Mounting

 	  mckervey(at)charter.net wrote: 	
		  For mounting between the doors you can use aluminum tube standoffs. drill 

the top skin the diameter of the screw and the inner cabin top for a snug 

fit of the standoff.



Hope this helps



Joe

--- 	


I think my next step is to get the coax connector and go from there.  Guess I will be making a call to Stein Monday.

_________________
Gary Blankenbiller
RV10 - # 40674
(N2GB Flying)

daveleikam(at)wi.rr.com
Guest

Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2008 5:40 am Post subject: GPS Antenna Mounting

Any problem mounting the GPS antennas on the top of the tailcone?



Dave Leikam

RV-10 #40496

N89DA (Reserved)

Muskego, WI



---

rene(at)felker.com
Guest

Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2008 6:24 am Post subject: GPS Antenna Mounting

That is where I mounted mine.  It has worked great.



Rene' Felker

RV-10 N423CF Flying

801-721-6080

--

orchidman

Joined: 10 Jul 2006
Posts: 277
Location: Oklahoma City - KRCE

Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2008 12:18 pm Post subject: Re: GPS Antenna Mounting

 	  daveleikam(at)wi.rr.com wrote: 	
		  Any problem mounting the GPS antennas on the top of the tailcone?



Dave Leikam

RV-10 #40496

N89DA (Reserved)

Muskego, WI



--- 	


That has been added to the list of possible locations.

I dug out the installation manual and the one I have been using for the 430W is REV B. paragraph 3.10.1

It lists a max coax length of 35 feet and you have to calculate the minimum length.  It comes out to about 15 feet.  However, I have an updated version REV E and checking it, the text has changed.  I have a GA35 antenna and the new text places this antenna in a new category only requiring a minimum length of 6.5 feet and the max still at 35 feet.



All of this is based on a dB signal loss that is required for the receiver.



If I mount it on the first AL skin on top, that would put me right in the middle of the dB loss range based on 2 connectors and the coax length and having a full view of the heavens.  The only down side is that it would be within 19" of my magnatomitor.  Guess I will need to call Rob tomorrow and see if they have any feeling about the amount of mag distoration the GPS antenna emits.



All thoughts are appreciated.  Nothing is locked in stone yet.

_________________
Gary Blankenbiller
RV10 - # 40674
(N2GB Flying)

jesse(at)saintaviation.co
Guest

Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2008 12:36 pm Post subject: GPS Antenna Mounting

Your magnetometer is not much over 18" from your auto pilot servo.  I  

don't think the GPS antenna emits anything.  I think it is just a  

receiver.  19" should be fine, but it wouldn't hurt to verify that  

with Rob.

Jesse Saint

Saint Aviation, Inc.

jesse(at)saintaviation.com

Cell: 352-427-0285

Fax: 815-377-3694

On Sep 7, 2008, at 4:18 PM, orchidman wrote:

 	  Quote: 	

 daveleikam(at)wi.rr.com wrote:

> Any problem mounting the GPS antennas on the top of the tailcone?

>

> Dave Leikam

> RV-10 #40496

> N89DA (Reserved)

> Muskego, WI

>

> ---

 That has been added to the list of possible locations.

 I dug out the installation manual and the one I have been using for  

 the 430W is REV B. paragraph 3.10.1

 It lists a max coax length of 35 feet and you have to calculate the  

 minimum length.  It comes out to about 15 feet.  However, I have an  

 updated version REV E and checking it, the text has changed.  I have  

 a GA35 antenna and the new text places this antenna in a new  

 category only requiring a minimum length of 6.5 feet and the max  

 still at 35 feet.

 All of this is based on a dB signal loss that is required for the  

 receiver.

 If I mount it on the first AL skin on top, that would put me right  

 in the middle of the dB loss range based on 2 connectors and the  

 coax length and having a full view of the heavens.  The only down  

 side is that it would be within 19" of my magnatomitor.  Guess I  

 will need to call Rob tomorrow and see if they have any feeling  

 about the amount of mag distoration the GPS antenna emits.

 All thoughts are appreciated.  Nothing is locked in stone yet.

 --------

 Gary Blankenbiller

 RV10 - # 40674

 Instrument Panel, Fiberglass - SB

 (N2GB registered)

 Read this topic online here:

 http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p 3083#203083

orchidman

Joined: 10 Jul 2006
Posts: 277
Location: Oklahoma City - KRCE

Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2008 3:03 pm Post subject: Re: GPS Antenna Mounting

 	  jesse(at)saintaviation.co wrote: 	
		  Your magnetometer is not much over 18" from your auto pilot servo.  I  

don't think the GPS antenna emits anything.  I think it is just a  

receiver.  19" should be fine, but it wouldn't hurt to verify that  

with Rob.



Jesse Saint

	


The battery + lead (closest part of the battery) and the AP servo are right at 23".  The one thing that might be a problem is the strobe power supply which is 28" away.

_________________
Gary Blankenbiller
RV10 - # 40674
(N2GB Flying)

Dave(at)AirCraftersLLC.co
Guest

Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2008 5:22 pm Post subject: GPS Antenna Mounting

Gary,



My battery and TruTrak servo are in the stock locations.  I have my GPS

antenna just aft of the cabin roof on the tail boom, a little to the right

side. My AFS magnetometer is mounted high in the tailboom just forward of

the first former aft of the battery.  I mounted it on a little 7* tray to

align it vertically with the panel.  The thing I worried about most was a

cabin speaker mounted high on the left side of the baggage compartment rear

wall.  I was prepared to move it if it affected the magnetometer, but

everything (mentioned) works perfectly.  I think you're on the right track.



Dave Saylor

AirCrafters LLC

140 Aviation Way

Watsonville, CA 

831-722-9141

831-750-0284 CL

www.AirCraftersLLC.com



--

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