AM/FM antenna

Kanfly · #1 01-08-2009, 11:37 AM

I am installing an AM/FM/XM/Video in my RV10 and am wondering what antenna is best for receiving AM/FM signal. Also any location and interference concerns.

647jc · #2 01-08-2009, 12:55 PM

I installed a standard auto replacement type antenna in my wing tip. Actually I drilled hole and mounted it in the end rib. The antenna was designed to mount on the sid of a car / truck so the antenna mast sets horizontally along the chord of the last wing rib. I added a nylon wire clip on the antenna tip to anchor it and keep it somewhat stationary. The antenna extends the full chord of the wing and is hidden from view by the wing tip. I used regular coax from the radio out to the antenna, I had to buy an adapter to convert the antenna fitting to a regular coax RG type fitting. I have not used the radio in the air yet but on the ground it works very well. Sorry I don't have any pictures but I think you get the idea.

N941WR · #3 01-08-2009, 01:48 PM

As fast as the RV's are, won't you be changing stations every few minutes?

I thought about this with my -9 but elected to go with a simple 1/8" jack so I can plug in an iPod into the intercom.

647jc · #4 01-08-2009, 02:06 PM

That's probably true for X-country flying but a lot of my flying will be somewhat local (weekends around the patch) and I should be able to listen to the same station as long as I stay within a 60 mile radius more or less.

My first 25 hours of flying (starting this weekend hopefully) will definitely be within a 25 mile radius so I should not have any problems. My main reason for installing the Radio / CD player was for the MP3 CD player rather than the radio but since the radio was included I thought I would at least add an antenna and see how well it might work.

petehowell · #5 01-08-2009, 02:11 PM

Joe,

Good luck with the Phase 1 testing. I might bring my -9A down from Minne this weekend to visit some family. I'll look you up.

pilot2512 · #6 01-08-2009, 05:52 PM

When I installed them on certified a/c, I would use an elt antenna. Worked great.

grantcarruthers · #7 01-08-2009, 06:43 PM

Are you new to satellite radio??

I really doubt you'll use the am/fm once you figure out a handful of XM stations you like. Unless you just REALLY love a local station I'd pass on it. Or if you're not going to subscribe to XM for long periods of time. Other than that you're paying for the XM which will almost always come in regardless of how far from home you get.

Less weight, drag, and complexity if you just ignore the am/fm capability

2cents from a major satellite radio convert

PaigeHoffart · #8 01-08-2009, 08:02 PM

I've seen an installation where he simply fished a wire down the gear leg fairing. It reportedly worked well. Cheap, easy, light weight, and no extra drag. Might be worth a try? It shouldn't take much; for FM you're listening to a 100,000 watt signal that you have line of sight to.

Paige

RV6_flyer · #9 01-09-2009, 05:30 AM

I am using a VOR wingtip antenna. FM works great. Never tried the AM part of the radio.

sprucemoose · #10 01-09-2009, 06:33 AM

If you already have a VOR antenna of any sort (whiskers, internal or whatever) you can use a diplexer, which is intended to drive 2 VOR receivers from the same antenna. Just feed the FM radio with the 2nd output. The VOR freq range is close enough to FM radio that the reception is very good.

I have this setup with an Archer wingtip antenna and get great FM reception. Satellite radio might be cool, but FM is free, and for local flights it is nice to be able to listen to the familiar local stations.

Still haven't found a solution for AM radio though.