Handheld comm question

Paul 5r4 · #1 06-04-2020, 10:27 AM

I have only one comm in my 7A. I do have a hand held I carry with me with each flight just in case of a comm failure. I've never tried it with ATC. I'm thinking the range in the cockpit will not be very good. I've been thinking of installing a second antenna on the belly with the coax run inside in such a way I could hook it to the handheld if needed. Can I even do this and would this make any significant differences in the range/quality of what ATC might hear from my transmissions.

Carl Froehlich · #2 06-04-2020, 10:30 AM

The short answers are yes and yes.

Handheld rubber ducky antennas are one step up from a dummy load.

Now add a power connection and adapter to plug in your headset and you will have a functional backup radio.

Carl

Sam Buchanan · #3 06-04-2020, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul 5r4

I've been thinking of installing a second antenna on the belly with the coax run inside in such a way I could hook it to the handheld if needed.

This will make a huge difference in the performance of your hand-held. Here is a source of excellent antennae at a reasonable price:

http://www.deltapopaviation.com/VHF_Com_Antennas.html

I have one of these antennas on my RV-6 and have been very pleased with it.

bhester · #4 06-04-2020, 10:43 AM

Yes, with a externally mounted antenna it will most like work just as well as your panel radio.

I use to fly a Rans S12xl experimental and used a hand held radio hooked to a bent whip and aircraft power as my main radio, I could receive and transmit better then most the GA aircraft around. This is the one I used: https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catal.../comant122.php

jim etcheverry · #5 06-04-2020, 01:15 PM

I https://www.ameradio.com/product/811...ml#accessories I have used this in three planes. Works great . No need for another antenna.

jim etcheverry · #6 06-04-2020, 01:22 PM

Here it is. Cheap approx $76. http://www.tagpilotsupply.com/browse...-ANT-SB).HTML;)

Paul 5r4 · #7 06-04-2020, 05:28 PM

Thanks everyone!
Carl, that's a great idea too... think I'll look into that.
Sam, I have the bent antenna now and works great. If I don't go with Jim's idea.... I'd go with the same.
Jim, Thank you for your thoughts. That would work too and save me some cash. Only thing I was thinking was to have a back up antenna in case for some reason the other quit working or hit by a bird etc etc.

LOVE VAF and happily a $$$ supporter!

FinnFlyer · #8 06-05-2020, 06:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carl Froehlich

...
Handheld rubber ducky antennas are one step up from a dummy load.
..
Carl

Interesting. In my old RV-3 I only had a handheld Icom mounted so the rubber ducky stuck up over the front/left canopy bow. Don't recall having a problem with it. Flew in Tampa Class B airspace.

Finn

Paul 5r4 · #9 06-05-2020, 10:55 AM

Finn, If you're close in it would be fine. When I'm doing a cross country I most always use flight following. If I lost comm in the middle of no where I wonder if my handheld with nothing but it's own antenna would work. I have no idea what the range of a handheld is using it's own antenna. Wonder if anyone's every experimented to find out.

Sam Buchanan · #10 06-05-2020, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul 5r4

Finn, If you're close in it would be fine. When I'm doing a cross country I most always use flight following. If I lost comm in the middle of no where I wonder if my handheld with nothing but it's own antenna would work. I have no idea what the range of a handheld is using it's own antenna. Wonder if anyone's every experimented to find out.

Effective range will depend on a bunch of variables. Don't trust the rubber ducky for dependable communication in an emergency.