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09-27-2013, 10:11 AM
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Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Tampa (BKV)
Posts: 926
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I own and intend to install an archer antenna in my wingtip shortly. With that said, the description of cheap is pretty accurate in my mind. It's a few pieces of aluminum scrap. Comparing it to my Commant antennas leaves one word in mind...cheap. It's fine for my mission and I suspect it will be as functional as I need it to be, but it is certainly the most "blue light special" part in my project. The archer may well be as functional as any out there, but everything about it is cheap.
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RV-8 Flying
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Last edited by ColoRv : 09-27-2013 at 10:33 AM.
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09-27-2013, 10:24 AM
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Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Lawrenceville, Georgia
Posts: 315
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Bill-
Thank you!! EXACTLY!!! There is absolutely NOTHING wrong with Archers or any other experimental antennas. It all depends on the intended use / mission & appropriate testing. Personally, I dont feel comfortable flying an approach relying on a flapping piece of aluminum in the wing tip (yes I know they are glassed in) 
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09-27-2013, 10:34 AM
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Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Schaumburg, IL
Posts: 2,053
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BobCollins(AA)
I am planing to use the cat whisker type NAV antenna but debating its location, either underneath by the tail or on top of the vertical stab.
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Bob,
I have my nav antennae (v-pole) on the bottom of the emp and it works well there. Mine's a tailwheel so, I would be blind by now if it was on top of the V.S. I seldom fly an ILS in my RV (other than practice), so I am only speaking to the dozen or so approaches that I have used it for.
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Tony Phillips
N524AP, RV 9 (tail wheel)
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09-27-2013, 11:01 AM
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Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Santiago, Chile
Posts: 447
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I have two bob archer antennas on my 8, one connected to a GTN650 and the other to a SL30, both work great, but I think SL30 is a better radio than GTN 
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Fernando Abasolo
Santiago Chile
SubSonex waiting for tailkit to arrive 
Flying phase II RV-8 (SCSE) Serial Number 83290, Tail Number CC-AJC
Flying RV-8 (SCTB) Phase II 600 hours and counting since February 22nd 2010
Serial Number 82727, Tail Number CC-PXG
Lyc. IO-360, Hartzell Prop
VAF #2056
EAA Member 774981
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09-27-2013, 11:05 AM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Twin Cities, MN
Posts: 1,565
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ColoRv
It's a few pieces of aluminum scrap.
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Using the same analysis, would you agree that the cat whisker antennas are also cheap since they are just a few pieces of steel rod?
Although I went to school for EE, I can't claim to be an RF expert. However, my semi-educated analysis of the archer antenna shows that it is more than just a few pieces of aluminum scrap. They are sized and orientated a particular way, and you'll note the phenolic board and non-conductive hardware that is critical to proper operation. The design is actually clever.
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Brad Benson, Maplewood MN.
RV-6A N164BL, Flying since Nov 2012!
If you're not making mistakes, you're probably not making anything
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09-27-2013, 06:32 PM
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Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: California
Posts: 652
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Form and Function
Brad, you are exactly correct. The previous posters screaming "cheap" are looking at the antenna with their eye as if it were to be art. The Comants are fine antennas, but are designed to be out in the wind and elements. If you ground off all the composite coating and fairing, you'd find a cheap steel rod (or plate) and an impedance matching circuit... so what's the difference?
The "it looks cheap" crowd might take the time to read about the design theory. It is exceptionally light, is hidden in the wingtip, performs as well (if not better) than an external Comant. The cost is probably 1/2 to 1/3 of the certified ones. Besides that, no drag and you won't bust it off rolling on your creeper under the airplane.
I also am an EE. I can make a functional and safe NAV antenna out of a coat hangar. It'll receive well enough to do the job. Don't make me transmit on it though.
I definitely think a builder should go with what makes him or her comfortable. But I write mostly for the builder who reads this in the future and wants to make an informed decision with facts vice feelings.
Don
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RV-8 QB Titan ECi 191HP XIO-360
WW200RV Dynon D180 HS34 AP74
GNS430 SL30 GTX327 PS8000B Uavionix Echouat
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09-27-2013, 09:18 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Bismarck, ND
Posts: 212
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Nav Antenna
I have also had great luck with the wing tip mounted archer. Is it flimsy? sure. It is your job as a builder to provide the radome (wing tip) to protect it. If you take the fiberglass housing off of a Comant or similar antenna, you will find similar components. It is just that we see the beefy housing and think SOLID.
The whole idea of the RV is light and fast. If you want solid and heavy, get a Bonanza.
Have you looked at the drag of a round rod? The whisker Vor antenna has to have a lot of drag.
I have 3 separate GPS receivers plus my Ipad plus my GNS430W vor. I'm hoping I have nav covered.
Now how about a high performance internally mounted com antenna?
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Larry Buller
RV7A slow build, Tip up, IO360 200hp, Catto 3 blade, Dynon Skyview, arinc 429, ems, SV transponder, Garmin GNS430w, Aera 560, Dynon D6.
FLYING!
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09-28-2013, 06:45 AM
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Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 246
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The facts
Hi All,
I wanted to wade into the debate as I feel that the thread has missed the focus and some in this thread are being less than helpful.
I reviewed the Comant antenna range, among others, and and the Bob Archer antenna.
I also did some research on Bob and his antennas, and also looked at making the antenna like the one Bob makes.
My first thought was that given it was only a "few pieces of metal and some screws etc.." it would be easy. I quickly established that this is not the case.
There is a lot of KNOWLEDGE and EXPERIENCE in each of these "few bits and pieces".
I researched what he did with each antenna. How they are tuned and tested. I compared the detailed information with the other ranges of antenna and their performance.
In the end, after much research I established that Bob was more than qualified in designing and producing antenna that matched and/or exceeded the PERFORMANCE of many antenna on the market, be they "certified" or not.
Most things are cheap if you look at the materials. The true cost is in the knowledge behind them and their performance. From my research, the Archer antenna was a lower cost and performed equally or better than many on the market. This is due to Bob and the approach he has taken to his antennas.
BTW: I did not say I purchased his antenna...
To me, making sure that my daughter and wife and anyone else who flies with me is safe is also paramount. To indicate that if you don't do as some have suggested here that you are in effect reckless, dangerous and stupid, is blatantly offensive.
Personally the zealot is the last person I would trust for an opinion as they are least likely to ask for help as they already know the answer. To resort to the need to make others feel small to "win" a discussion that could help everyone, tells me a lot about them and their character.
Therefore, lets help each other with information, facts, calculations and unbiased observation, not derogatory opinions and statements.
Do your research, make your own choice. Don't belittle others for the choices they make. And, in short, try not to make an idiot of yourself.
Now I will get off my moral soapbox and back to work....
BTW: Did I buy an Archer or a Comant, or both, or neither... hmmmm...
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Andrew Long
#41055
RV10: Happy little Vegemite :-)
Feb 2015: Now fully functional..... and quick
http://www.ozrv10.com
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09-28-2013, 12:25 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Louisville, Ga
Posts: 7,840
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Archer is very well done.
We flew our -6A all over the Southeast and across the Mississippi with an Archer driving an older Garmin radio and never worried about range.
We installed one in the -10's wingtip when I added the Garmin 430W. On a trip to Pensacola, I dialed in a VOR..one with the cat's whisker under the tail, driving my SL30 and the Archer driving the 430W. Guess what...no difference at 100 miles out, from the same VOR, so why have outside antennae that may poke someone in the eye when you can have a much cleaner installation.
We routinely fly approaches with the 430..LPV's and a few ILS's...it's totally dependable when you install it just like Bob's instructions.
Best,
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Pierre Smith
RV-10, 510 TT
RV6A (Sojourner) 180 HP, Catto 3 Bl (502Hrs), gone...and already missed
Air Tractor AT 502B PT 6-15 Sold
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EAA Flight Advisor/CFI/Tech Counselor
Louisville, Ga
It's never skill or craftsmanship that completes airplanes, it's the will to do so,
Patrick Kenny, EAA 275132
Dues gladly paid!
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09-28-2013, 07:04 PM
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Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Posts: 2,791
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phase I - impressed with archer antenna
phase I testing - I am very impressed with the archer antenna reception. Radio is SL-30.
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Steve Melton
Cincinnati, OH
RV-9A, Tip-up, Superior O-320, roller lifters, 160HP, WW 200RV, dual impulse slick mags, oil pressure = 65 psi, EGT = 1300F, flight hours = 800+ for all
Simplicity is the art in design.
My Artwork is freely given and published and cannot be patented.
www.rvplasticparts.com
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