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08-10-2017, 11:31 AM
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Join Date: May 2006
Location: Pocahontas MS
Posts: 3,884
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Be aware that those 'switch boxes' can be built with about $10-$15 in parts. They consist of a pair of BNC bulkhead females and a 1/8" 'normally closed' jack, like what you'd find in a 'boom box' with an external speaker jack. While they will work fine, they will almost always destroy your carefully set up SWR (if you sweat that).
The simplest, lowest loss, cheapest, and most reliable method is just a bulkhead mount BNC female on the end of the a/c antenna cable, and a male/male cable from the panel mount radio. Mount the BNC female where it's in reach (near the bottom edge of the panel usually works), and if the panel mount fails, unhook the coax from the panel mount and attach the coax from your handheld.
Did I mention that all this stuff has been covered ad nauseam on the Aeroelectric list, and I'm pretty sure it's in 'the book'. You do have the book, right?
Your issues with Icom is an example of why I'm not much of a fan of their stuff. ('It's not a bug; it's a feature....')
Charlie
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08-10-2017, 11:41 AM
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Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Keystone State
Posts: 128
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Do your self a favor, add a separate antenna. Nor worries about interference or signal loss with connections to your main radio. A dedicated antenna is worth it. I've had them on 2 aircraft in the past and am planning to add one to my next one.
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08-10-2017, 01:06 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Hubbard Oregon
Posts: 9,035
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RV12JT
Do your self a favor, add a separate antenna. Nor worries about interference or signal loss with connections to your main radio. A dedicated antenna is worth it. I've had them on 2 aircraft in the past and am planning to add one to my next one.
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An alternative is to mount your com radio (if it is a remote unit with a small panel mounted control head) so that you can easily access the coax connection in flight.
I have the one in my RV-6A mounted this way and I carry a 3' long coax extension to connect it to my hand held if my primary radio fails.
__________________
Opinions, information and comments are my own unless stated otherwise. They do not necessarily represent the direction/opinions of my employer.
Scott McDaniels
Van's Aircraft Engineering Prototype Shop Manager
Hubbard, Oregon
RV-6A (aka "Junkyard Special ")
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08-11-2017, 08:46 AM
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Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Boca Raton, FL BCT
Posts: 133
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I've got the stock E-LSA configuration with the SL-40. Hence I cannot reach the panel antenna without messing the paint, panel or instrument access.
A a further note,Icom finally called back yesterday and in fact confirmed(after further checking) that the mic issue is a hidden 'feature', not a bug. Not anywhere in their literature, but will be now that they have confirmed this added 'feature'. 😂
__________________
Steve at LNA now after BCT tripled rent!
Flying a built ELSA
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08-11-2017, 09:27 AM
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Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Northeast Ohio
Posts: 685
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In a situation with a total radio failure and all else is working fine... wondering how well a hand held would get out using the ELT's antenna cable connected to the hand held?
On the RV-12 (original version) the excess ELT antenna wire is tie-wrapped to the body of the ELT unit which is behind the passenger seat. The ELT is reachable (I think) and it may be doable to disconnect the BNC connector and move the ELT's antenna cable over to a hand held. Also it may even be easier to run a short antenna cable from the hand held directly to the connector at the base of the antenna (which if memory servers me also has a BNC connection).
Just curious if anybody has tried this in a pinch? If so, did the ELT's antenna perform better than the typical antenna that comes with the hand held?
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John
www.dogaviation.com
RV-12 Wings, Empennage, Fuselage, Finishing, Avionics and Powerplant kits all completed
Now Flying!!
Donation paid until September 2021
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08-11-2017, 09:35 AM
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Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Riley TWP MI
Posts: 3,070
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Messing with the aircraft radio antenna cable could cause an eventual radio failure that would not occur without the handheld radio installation. It is better to use a separate, independent antenna, external or even within the cabin.
Radio problems are just as likely to be caused by a bad antenna or cable as by failed electronics. The backup radio should be completely independent.
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Joe Gores
RV-12 Flying
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08-11-2017, 10:05 AM
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Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Boca Raton, FL BCT
Posts: 133
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Has anyone had success with the suction-cup antenna extension?. I've heard they do not enhance reception distance over the rubber ducky. Sounds like a good investment to simply add a second comm antenna for back up.
Would an inactive second antenna interfere with the active comm antenna co-located on the belly?
__________________
Steve at LNA now after BCT tripled rent!
Flying a built ELSA
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