Show me your antennas (esp. VOR and GPS)

[g3xpert]

Originally Posted by iamtheari

The GTX 45R manual doesn?t seem to specify a maximum cable length, so I should be okay to use the rear location.

Hello iamtheari,

Sorry that the new GTX 35R/45R manual doesn't specify the maximum cable length. We will need to get that added.

The GTX 345 manual does specify the maximum loss between the transponder and antenna to be 2.0 dB.

RG 400 coax is ~0.185 dB per ft loss
BNC connectors are ~0.2 dB each (0.4 dB total)

The maximum length of the RG 400 cable should be (2.0 - 0.4 dB)/0.185 dB/ft or 8.6 ft. The minimum length is 3 ft.

We installed the GTX 45R in the tail of our RV-7A with the minimum length cable to the bottom mounted antenna nearby.

Thanks,
Steve

[Raymo]

Originally Posted by iamtheari

But the useless holes in the fuselage will bug me.

I used these to plug fuel tank vent tube holes in the fwd lower fuselage on my -7A and the un-used pitot static hole in the left wing.

You can pick them up at one of the big box home improvement stores. None have come out in over a year.

[iamtheari]

Originally Posted by g3xpert

Hello iamtheari,

Sorry that the new GTX 35R/45R manual doesn't specify the maximum cable length. We will need to get that added.

The GTX 345 manual does specify the maximum loss between the transponder and antenna to be 2.0 dB.

RG 400 coax is ~0.185 dB per ft loss
BNC connectors are ~0.2 dB each (0.4 dB total)

The maximum length of the RG 400 cable should be (2.0 - 0.4 dB)/0.185 dB/ft or 8.6 ft. The minimum length is 3 ft.

We installed the GTX 45R in the tail of our RV-7A with the minimum length cable to the bottom mounted antenna nearby.

Thanks,
Steve

Steve: Thank you. I don't suppose you have any cool tips for how to use the holes I drilled in the skin or the 15-foot coax running back to the tail.

[iamtheari]

I decided to pull the coax out (11 oz of weight in the tail) and order a replacement tail skin. $24 vs my OCD, OCD won. I also ordered the flap position kit and double sided tape so I don?t have to use pro seal on the elevator trailing edges if I don?t feel like it. (Although the rudder turned out nearly perfect using pro seal and results are all that matter.)

[mountainride]

It has been driving me crazy as well...

I think I am going to fabricate both a flat piece of aluminum with nutplates that can be screwed in to completely cover the hole, and a second piece that has a gopro mount protruding through the 1/2 inch hole I drilled in my airplane. That way I can either run with the cover or have a camera with a great view.

This means dimpling the two #12 holes for screws (using a pop rivet die?)

[JDA_BTR]

It is a pretty nice drain hole back there huh? Wouldn't be a bad option for a VOR antenna in a trigear except for the drag. Not sure which one is plug/play there.

I was going to see how it went with my 45R with the transponder antenna in the tail but now I guess not....

[penguin]

Archer internal VOR wingtip antenna is the only option! Installed per the instructions it works very well. Cats whiskers are ugly and draggy!
Pete

[iamtheari]

Originally Posted by penguin

Archer internal VOR wingtip antenna is the only option! Installed per the instructions it works very well. Cats whiskers are ugly and draggy!
Pete

Which model of Archer antenna did you use? I see they have a few different styles and I can't tell the difference from a distance.