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Handheld Radio Antenna

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Mike Welch

Joined: 13 Feb 2011
Posts: 272

Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2011 5:25 am Post subject: Handheld Radio Antenna

Hi guys,



  Recently I got to get a close look at a friend's plane that he is almost finished building.

It's been a year since I've seen it,  because he lives a 2 1/2 hour drive away.



  Anyway, I noticed he had a whip style com antenna, which will attach to his primary radio,

a handheld unit.  Upon close inspection, I noticed it did NOT appear to have a ground plane.

He, too, said he wondered about that, but it is 'as purchased' from LEAF Aircraft Parts.



  I did a quick search and came up with the antenna in question, and sure enough, it doesn't

look like it has a ground plane, or will allow you to add one.

  My questions are; 



A) Does it have a ground plane 'built in', and we just can't see it?    OR,



B) Does it not need one (because it's for a handheld radio)?



  Obviously with the adel clamp, it simply attaches to the airframe minus any grounding 

requirements.  We were just curious if everything is okay with this design.  Thanks for 

any insight.



  Here's the unit;



http://store.leadingedgeairfoils.com/product_info.php?products_id=12715



Mike Welch

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nuckolls.bob(at)aeroelect
Guest

Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2011 7:07 am Post subject: Handheld Radio Antenna

At 08:21 AM 10/10/2011, you wrote:


<mdnanwelch7(at)hotmail.com>



Hi guys,



   Recently I got to get a close look at a friend's plane that he is 

almost finished building.

It's been a year since I've seen it,  because he lives a 2 1/2 hour drive away.



   Anyway, I noticed he had a whip style com antenna, which will 

attach to his primary radio,

a handheld unit.  Upon close inspection, I noticed it did NOT appear 

to have a ground plane.

He, too, said he wondered about that, but it is 'as purchased' from 

LEAF Aircraft Parts.



   I did a quick search and came up with the antenna in question, and 

sure enough, it doesn't

look like it has a ground plane, or will allow you to add one.

   My questions are;



A) Does it have a ground plane 'built in', and we just can't see it?    OR,



B) Does it not need one (because it's for a handheld radio)?



   Obviously with the adel clamp, it simply attaches to the airframe 

minus any grounding

requirements.  We were just curious if everything is okay with this 

design.  Thanks for

any insight.



   Here's the unit;



http://store.leadingedgeairfoils.com/product_info.php?products_id=12715



    Your suspicions are justified. Having said that, it's

    also a sure bet that this device will probably function

    better than the stock 'rubber duck' antenna in the

    cabin. The antenna would probably work better if the coax

    shield were brought to some metallic portion of the airframe

    at the base of the antenna. Its SWR would certainly be

    lower.

    The ideas behind optimal antenna design are few and

    simple. Unfortunately, the marketplace for "new and

    improved" antenna designs is vulnerable to smoke-n-

    mirrors merchandising.



    The antenna cited is not optimal but it is an

    improvement. At the same time, a bit of time and

    effort in his workshop could produce an antenna

    that works as well if not better.



    One of MANY suggestions . . .



http://aeroelectric.com/articles/Antennas/DIY_Comm_Ant/DIY_Comm.html

        Bob . . .

                    ////

                   (o o)

    ===========o00o=(_)=o00o=========

    < Go ahead, make my day . . .   >

    < show me where I'm wrong.      >

    =================================

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Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:

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handainc(at)madisoncounty
Guest

Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2011 8:34 am Post subject: Handheld Radio Antenna

Bob -



Have a couple of projects on which I need antennas.  Just bought 3 of 

the antenna mounts on ebay for $12+ including shipping.  Where do I get 

the coax connectors?  I've been looking on line but haven't seen any 

that look exactly like that one.  Obviously, I'm new at this and am 

totally unfamiliar with the parts.   Will also need the antenna wire.  

Do you have a section some where that I can read up on antenna 

installation?



M. Haught



On 10/10/2011 10:02 AM, Robert L. Nuckolls, III wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		   

 <nuckolls.bob(at)aeroelectric.com>



 At 08:21 AM 10/10/2011, you wrote:

 

 <mdnanwelch7(at)hotmail.com>



 Hi guys,



   Recently I got to get a close look at a friend's plane that he is 

 almost finished building.

 It's been a year since I've seen it,  because he lives a 2 1/2 hour 

 drive away.



   Anyway, I noticed he had a whip style com antenna, which will attach 

 to his primary radio,

 a handheld unit.  Upon close inspection, I noticed it did NOT appear 

 to have a ground plane.

 He, too, said he wondered about that, but it is 'as purchased' from 

 LEAF Aircraft Parts.



   I did a quick search and came up with the antenna in question, and 

 sure enough, it doesn't

 look like it has a ground plane, or will allow you to add one.

   My questions are;



 A) Does it have a ground plane 'built in', and we just can't see 

 it?    OR,



 B) Does it not need one (because it's for a handheld radio)?



   Obviously with the adel clamp, it simply attaches to the airframe 

 minus any grounding

 requirements.  We were just curious if everything is okay with this 

 design.  Thanks for

 any insight.



   Here's the unit;



 http://store.leadingedgeairfoils.com/product_info.php?products_id=12715



    Your suspicions are justified. Having said that, it's

    also a sure bet that this device will probably function

    better than the stock 'rubber duck' antenna in the

    cabin. The antenna would probably work better if the coax

    shield were brought to some metallic portion of the airframe

    at the base of the antenna. Its SWR would certainly be

    lower.

    The ideas behind optimal antenna design are few and

    simple. Unfortunately, the marketplace for "new and

    improved" antenna designs is vulnerable to smoke-n-

    mirrors merchandising.



    The antenna cited is not optimal but it is an

    improvement. At the same time, a bit of time and

    effort in his workshop could produce an antenna

    that works as well if not better.



    One of MANY suggestions . . .



 http://aeroelectric.com/articles/Antennas/DIY_Comm_Ant/DIY_Comm.html

        Bob . . .

                    ////

                   (o o)

    ===========o00o=(_)=o00o=========

 < Go ahead, make my day . . . >

 < show me where I'm wrong. >

    =================================




	




-- 

H.Marvin Haught Jr.

Haught&  Associates, Inc

Huntsville, AR 72740

- The Matronics AeroElectric-List Email Forum -

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nuckolls.bob(at)aeroelect
Guest

Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2011 6:33 pm Post subject: Handheld Radio Antenna

At 11:30 AM 10/10/2011, you wrote:


<handainc(at)madisoncounty.net>



Bob -



Have a couple of projects on which I need antennas.  Just bought 3 of 

the antenna mounts on ebay for $12+ including shipping.  Where do I 

get the coax connectors?  I've been looking on line but haven't seen 

any that look exactly like that one.  Obviously, I'm new at this and 

am totally unfamiliar with the parts.   Will also need the antenna wire.

Do you have a section some where that I can read up on antenna installation?



   Yes, there is a chapter on antennas and feed lines in

   The 'Connection. Modern coax is available from

   a variety of sources. RG400 141 or 142 are all suited

   to your task. I have an RG142 special (your choice of

   connectors installed for no extra charge). You might

   consider the offering at:



https://matronics.com/aeroelectric/Catalog/AECcatalog.html



   You can get a 4-pack of those adapters off eBay

   for about $11 including shipping at:



http://tinyurl.com/3zmxkg8

   Bob . . .

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handainc(at)madisoncounty
Guest

Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2011 7:45 pm Post subject: Handheld Radio Antenna

Thanks, Bob!!



Just ordered the adapters from EBay and got the antenna mounts this 

morning.  All I need is the coax!  Will check it out on your site.



M. Haught



On 10/10/2011 9:29 PM, Robert L. Nuckolls, III wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		   

 <nuckolls.bob(at)aeroelectric.com>



 At 11:30 AM 10/10/2011, you wrote:

 

 <handainc(at)madisoncounty.net>



 Bob -



 Have a couple of projects on which I need antennas.  Just bought 3 of 

 the antenna mounts on ebay for $12+ including shipping.  Where do I 

 get the coax connectors?  I've been looking on line but haven't seen 

 any that look exactly like that one.  Obviously, I'm new at this and 

 am totally unfamiliar with the parts.   Will also need the antenna wire.

 Do you have a section some where that I can read up on antenna 

 installation?



   Yes, there is a chapter on antennas and feed lines in

   The 'Connection. Modern coax is available from

   a variety of sources. RG400 141 or 142 are all suited

   to your task. I have an RG142 special (your choice of

   connectors installed for no extra charge). You might

   consider the offering at:



 https://matronics.com/aeroelectric/Catalog/AECcatalog.html



   You can get a 4-pack of those adapters off eBay

   for about $11 including shipping at:



 http://tinyurl.com/3zmxkg8

   Bob . . .




	




-- 

H.Marvin Haught Jr.

Haught&  Associates, Inc

Huntsville, AR 72740

- The Matronics AeroElectric-List Email Forum -

Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:

http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?AeroElectric-List

handainc(at)madisoncounty
Guest

Posted: Tue Oct 11, 2011 5:16 am Post subject: Handheld Radio Antenna

Bob -



Can I use 3/16 inch stainless welding rod for the antenna?  The piano 

wire rusts easily, and I have the welding rod on hand.



M. Haught

On 10/10/2011 9:29 PM, Robert L. Nuckolls, III wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		   

 <nuckolls.bob(at)aeroelectric.com>



 At 11:30 AM 10/10/2011, you wrote:

 

 <handainc(at)madisoncounty.net>



 Bob -



 Have a couple of projects on which I need antennas.  Just bought 3 of 

 the antenna mounts on ebay for $12+ including shipping.  Where do I 

 get the coax connectors?  I've been looking on line but haven't seen 

 any that look exactly like that one.  Obviously, I'm new at this and 

 am totally unfamiliar with the parts.   Will also need the antenna wire.

 Do you have a section some where that I can read up on antenna 

 installation?



   Yes, there is a chapter on antennas and feed lines in

   The 'Connection. Modern coax is available from

   a variety of sources. RG400 141 or 142 are all suited

   to your task. I have an RG142 special (your choice of

   connectors installed for no extra charge). You might

   consider the offering at:



 https://matronics.com/aeroelectric/Catalog/AECcatalog.html



   You can get a 4-pack of those adapters off eBay

   for about $11 including shipping at:



 http://tinyurl.com/3zmxkg8

   Bob . . .




	




-- 

H.Marvin Haught Jr.

Haught&  Associates, Inc

Huntsville, AR 72740

- The Matronics AeroElectric-List Email Forum -

Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:

http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?AeroElectric-List

Bob McC

Joined: 09 Jan 2006
Posts: 258
Location: Toronto, ON

Posted: Tue Oct 11, 2011 5:23 pm Post subject: Handheld Radio Antenna

Yes ! Or 1/8 " whichever you have on hand.



Bob McC



[quote] --

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Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:

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_________________
Bob McC
Falco #908
(just starting)

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