Hi
I recently had a transmission issue with my comm radio while IMC. Based on the following, I'm guessing it was just ice on the comm antenna? Any other thoughts on what it could be?
RV-7, flying for seven years, no issues in the past with the radios. I went for a short IFR flight to stay current on a nice IFR day (2000 ft overcast), no rain, good visibility underneath. All was normal before entering IMC, I was able to contact clearance on the ground at my non towered home base. Took off and communicated back and forth with departure several times. A few minutes after entering the clouds, my transmissions starting getting intermittent and then stopped transmitting. No side tone in my headset and also tried switching to the passenger headset. Same issue. The controller could hear me trying to call, but couldn't hear me. I could receive him just fine. I acknowledged his directions using ident, and I returned to my home field. About a minute after clearing the clouds, I could transmit again. Temps on the ground were right about 40 degrees. There was no ice on the canopy, and I didn't see anything on the wings, but didn't get a could look. If there was anything, it was unnoticeable at quick glance.
I checked the antenna on the ground (it's mounted on the belly), no obvious issue that I could see. I cleaned the antenna (I was able to wipe some dirt off of it) and went up again later in VFR conditions, no issues and haven't been able to repeat the issue.
Based on the above, I figure it has to be something external/environmental, but icing seems to be the only explanation I can come up with.
Thanks
Vince
RV-7
I recently had a transmission issue with my comm radio while IMC. Based on the following, I'm guessing it was just ice on the comm antenna? Any other thoughts on what it could be?
RV-7, flying for seven years, no issues in the past with the radios. I went for a short IFR flight to stay current on a nice IFR day (2000 ft overcast), no rain, good visibility underneath. All was normal before entering IMC, I was able to contact clearance on the ground at my non towered home base. Took off and communicated back and forth with departure several times. A few minutes after entering the clouds, my transmissions starting getting intermittent and then stopped transmitting. No side tone in my headset and also tried switching to the passenger headset. Same issue. The controller could hear me trying to call, but couldn't hear me. I could receive him just fine. I acknowledged his directions using ident, and I returned to my home field. About a minute after clearing the clouds, I could transmit again. Temps on the ground were right about 40 degrees. There was no ice on the canopy, and I didn't see anything on the wings, but didn't get a could look. If there was anything, it was unnoticeable at quick glance.
I checked the antenna on the ground (it's mounted on the belly), no obvious issue that I could see. I cleaned the antenna (I was able to wipe some dirt off of it) and went up again later in VFR conditions, no issues and haven't been able to repeat the issue.
Based on the above, I figure it has to be something external/environmental, but icing seems to be the only explanation I can come up with.
Thanks
Vince
RV-7