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FAQs
Q.
What cable length is recommended for the antenna ?
A.
Any length can be used. This antenna is impedance matched to 50 ohms to allow
you to use any length required.
Q. Can I use it in the plastic or fiberglass wingtip of a metal airplane ?
A.
Yes, but the antenna must be as far from the metal wing as possible. We have had
limited success with this. Not recommended for the RV series aircraft.
Q. Will the strobes cause interference ?
A.
It is possible to couple the strobe audio squeal into the VHF radio. This
happens when the antenna is close (about a foot) to the strobe.
Q.
I thought the com antenna has to be vertical to work.
A. For maximum sensitivity, this is best. The VHF-5 antenna has a higher gain
than others but still when mounted in the horizontal plane the resultant
sensitivity is reduced but useable.
Q.
Can I mount the antenna on a metal part of my airframe?
A. No ! This antenna works best when separated from all large metal objects.
Mounting it on any metal destroys its antenna properties.
Q.
Some people have good operation with a ground plane working with their antenna, does this one do the same?
A.
No, any ground plane will destroy the effectiveness of this antenna.
Q. My fabric airframe is completed, where is the best location for the antenna?
A.
Mount it on a wood brace in the fuselage behind the cockpit. Fasten one end to
a location on the lower part of the fuselage frame corner. Then fasten the
other end to the opposite or diagonal part of the inside of the upper frame
corner. Fasten the antenna to this installed piece of wood.
Q.
Should I be careful of the angles at which I mount this wood?
A. No. As long as the antenna is in the same plane as the plane of rotation of
your propeller, it'll work.
Q.
What happens if I mount the antenna on one of my wood stringers on the fuselage?
A.
The maximum range will always be off to the sides and the minimum range will be ahead and behind you.
Q.
What happens if I mount the antenna on my wood spar in the wing?
A. The maximum range will always be ahead and behind you and the minimum range
will off to the sides.
Q. What if the antenna has to be mounted with a bend to fit in the space I want to
use?
A. Curving the antenna will fill in those minimum range areas mentioned above at
the slight expense of the maximum range.
Q. Can't I have both?
A. No, only a fixed amount of energy can be radiated. If you redirect energy to
fill in holes in the pattern you must remove some from one part of the
radiation pattern to fill in the other.
Q.
Why is it so long compared to others?
A. This is a dipole which is half wave length long and makes it about twice as
long as quarter wave antennas.
Q.
Can this be made shorter ?
A. No, it must be used as manufactured. If it is cut to fit, it will be destroyed.
Q.
Do I need a 337 ?
A. Perhaps. This is between you, your IA, and the local FAA. It mounts inside
and so does not alter the airflow, it attaches with adhesive so no holes or
alterations are required for the airframe mount, and it is too light weight to
affect weight and balance.
Q.
Will this work on my canopy?
A. Yes, but keep it as far from the metal frame as practical.
Q.
Why do I have to keep it away from metal things?
A. Any metal alters the characteristics of the tuning and pattern in unpredictable
ways. Each airframe installation is different, so we recommend that you use
tape and experiment with locations until you are satisfied with the operation.
Q.
Where is a good location in my fiberglass fuselage?
A. Put the com antennas on either side in the tail cone, & if the fuselage isn't
tall enough bend the antennas to resemble the letter"C". If you are using two,
stagger them on opposite sides and try to have about 24 inches or more in the
stagger.
Q.
Why haven't I seen this type of antenna previously?
A. This design has been in operation since 1981 but in response to consumer demand
they are now being produced for the non-metal airframe market.
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CONTACT US
For more information about our products, or to place your order, contact us at:
Advanced Aircraft Electronics Inc.
P.O. Box
67438
Albuquerque, NM 87193
Phone 1-800-758-8632
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