Dynon Autopilot / VAL INS-429 / Wingtip Antennas

[Pilot135pd]

Since this thread went in the direction of antennas I edited it and made another thread asking about the autopilot. I'm adding the VAL INS-429 to my panel and wanted to know if anyone has installed the LOC/ILS antennas in their wingtips? I was thinking about separating them or just plain building 2 new dipoles and installing them in the fiberglass wingtips instead of installing this ugly draggy antenna on the fuse. If there's no other choice I'd install it under the fuse under the pilot seat so it can't easily be seen from outside. I'm also trying to avoid the extra drag.





*** If a Mod needs to move it to another section, I'm fine with that too, thanks.

[BobTurner]

I have the Archer nav antenna (which, technically, is a quarter wave over a ground plane) in my -10?s wingtip. Works fine. Of course, I always land 15? right of the center line -.

[Mconner7]

I made an Archer knock off using scrap aluminum and it works great for both VOR and LOC. It is in my right wingtip. My com two uses a second ELT antenna in my baggage compartment. RV-10

[Pilot135pd]

Originally Posted by BobTurner

I have the Archer nav antenna (which, technically, is a quarter wave over a ground plane) in my -10?s wingtip. Works fine. Of course, I always land 15? right of the center line -.

I never land too close to the centerline anyway so if I install one of those antennas at least I'll have an excuse

Seriously though, you don't have any issues with the fuselage blocking the signal when you're turning or anything like that? Those are comments from other websites I've read.

[Pilot135pd]

Originally Posted by Mconner7

I made an Archer knock off using scrap aluminum and it works great for both VOR and LOC. It is in my right wingtip. My com two uses a second ELT antenna in my baggage compartment. RV-10

I was going to make a dipole with coax but I've got some aluminum strips I can cut too. Thanks.

[BobTurner]

Originally Posted by Pilot135pd

I was going to make a dipole with coax but I've got some aluminum strips I can cut too. Thanks.

A dipole won?t fit, won?t work well in the tip, will be oriented incorrectly.
To copy the Archer, make sure you copy the built-in capacitor exactly (area, spacing, and dielectric material). It?s better if you can borrow some ham radio equipment, like an antenna tuner.
I?ve never had an issue with an ils signal, localizer or GS. I have tuned in a distant vor (over 40 nm) and done a 360, and seen it flag when the vor was at 90 deg to the airplane axis, so the signal had to go thru the fuselage. Closer (stronger) signals, no problems noted.
I?ll also say that I?ve seen photos of Archer installations that were unbelievably bad (2 cases). It?s amazing they worked at all. So sometimes negative comments are due to installation errors.

[Pilot135pd]

Are you using it with one coax and a diplexor to the Localizer and the ILS or just to the Localizer?

[GalinHdz]

Originally Posted by Pilot135pd

I was thinking about separating them or just plain building 2 new dipoles and installing them in the fiberglass wingtips instead of installing this ugly draggy antenna on the fuse.

Your RV may be fast, but not so fast that parasitic drag from this antenna will noticeably affect your speed. I don't think you are doing +300Ktas.

Originally Posted by Pilot135pd

If there's no other choice I'd install it under the pilot seat so it can't easily be seen from outside.

I am assuming you mean on the outside of the airplane under the pilots seat.

[Pilot135pd]

Originally Posted by Pilot135pd

I was going to make a dipole with coax but I've got some aluminum strips I can cut too. Thanks.

If I decide to go with the wingtip installation instead of just mounting it under the plane, I just saw them on Aircraft Spruce for $120 so I might just buy it to make sure it's correct.

[Pilot135pd]

Originally Posted by GalinHdz

I am assuming you mean on the outside of the airplane under the pilots seat.

Correct, under the pilot seat OUTSIDE of the plane. Seriously ?