archer com antenna

skidookid · #1 01-05-2016, 03:25 PM

Is any one using archer wing tip com antenna in rv and how do the work on the ground.

BobTurner · #2 01-05-2016, 04:24 PM

The general feeling seems to be that these antennas are "pretty good" for nav, and "pretty poor" for com. The issue is that VOR/ILS uses horizontal polarization, which is fine for an antenna laying in the wing tip. But com uses vertical polarization, not so fine. I have a -10 (larger wingtip than -7 or -9) and have bent the leading edge of the Archer's radiator down (mounted on top of rib) as much as possible, to get as much vertical polarization as possible. I think it's okay as a backup, I'd want (and have) something else on my primary com. But on the ground, the tower is never more than a mile away, so it works just fine. In fact, sometimes better than my vertical but under the fuselage whip, if I happen to be oriented in a way that the whip is blocked by the fuselage.

rapid_ascent · #3 01-05-2016, 07:37 PM

Anyone have experience with using these antennas when using the hinge wingtip mounting method? I already have the hinges mounted so I may be further along than I should be in that respect.

bhester · #4 01-05-2016, 08:01 PM

I have hinges holding my wing tips on and I use an Archer Nav ant. and it works great!

Got a bent whip for com on the bottom and it works great!
COMANT VHF COMMUNICATIONS (CI-292-2)

RONSIM · #5 01-06-2016, 06:09 AM

The nav antenna "worked" ok, but the comm antenna was inadequate --- had to go external on the comms.

R.

Stu McCurdy · #6 01-06-2016, 07:40 AM

15 years ago when I built my RV-8 I installed an Archer Nav antenna in my right wingtip and an Archer Comm antenna in the left. I installed it on the rising bottom side of the wingtip with the top blade of the antenna bent to vertical position. It is my comm antenna for Comm2, an SL30.

For 15 years it has been a good antenna for its purpose, secondary comm used mostly for comm within the formation of aircraft I am normally flying with and for monitoring AWOS as I proceed along the route. As a primary it does suffer from its position in the wingtip because of range. It normally works well out to about 30 miles, sometimes much further. But reception can be affected according to position and elevation from the wingtip. I have talked with joining aircraft 70-90 miles out if they are lower than me and more off my left wingtip, but as they get more level with me or off my right side, reception range reduces until they get within about 30 miles, then reception all good.

rapid_ascent · #7 01-07-2016, 01:20 PM

Let me elaborate on my original question.

I have the hinges riveted onto my wingtip. Everything looks good in that respect. I just started thinking about the Archer Antenna as I was starting to surface finish the wingtips. I currently don't have a NAV radio in my initial panel, but I was planning to use the Archer antenna for NAV only when I got one. I could install it now if it makes sense give they are around a hundred bucks. Thoughts?

Given I haven't purchased the Archer antenna yet so I don't have the installation instructions. Am I going to have to remove rivets to mount the antenna? If so, I would prefer to do that before I get the wingtips all ready for paint.

MercFE · #8 01-07-2016, 02:28 PM

Still way early in my build, just starting wings... But thought of a question that y'all might be able to answer about this.

If the problem is the orientation within the wingtip, is there any bad reason to not find a way to install the antenna in the top of the vertical stab? Might cause a problem due to access or available space, that I can't think of right now. But it would solve this problem.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobTurner

The general feeling seems to be that these antennas are "pretty good" for nav, and "pretty poor" for com. The issue is that VOR/ILS uses horizontal polarization, which is fine for an antenna laying in the wing tip. But com uses vertical polarization, not so fine. I have a -10 (larger wingtip than -7 or -9) and have bent the leading edge of the Archer's radiator down (mounted on top of rib) as much as possible, to get as much vertical polarization as possible. I think it's okay as a backup, I'd want (and have) something else on my primary com. But on the ground, the tower is never more than a mile away, so it works just fine. In fact, sometimes better than my vertical but under the fuselage whip, if I happen to be oriented in a way that the whip is blocked by the fuselage.

Stu McCurdy · #9 01-07-2016, 09:55 PM

As I previously stated, I put an Archer Nav (VOR) antenna in my right wingtip. The VOR antenna is supposed to be mounted horizontally, so it is mounted horizontally on the top inner surface of the wingtip. It has always given me excellent range for VOR reception according to altitude, normally 90-100 miles at about 8K', and ILS reception never a problem.

So if you wish to use VOR/ILS and plan to have the radio, I would install the Archer antenna now. I also suggest the SL30 as it gives you a second radio and it internally splits appropriately the VOR and ILS reception signals for display.

Naigool · #10 01-07-2016, 10:15 PM

I'm planning also to use a Archer VOR antenna and I couldn't found for sur if you need to install only one antenna in one wingtip; if yes is there a recommended side?