This is on my '41 Interstate Cadet, a tube & fabric plane that has an internally mounted ELT antenna.
I'm replacing my ELT (Artex 110-4) with an Ameri-king 450, a 121.5 model that uses the Duracells rather than the $89 battery pack that the Artex uses.
Anyway, the instructions for the new one say using anyone else's antenna is not recommended, but when I called the company the tech guy said it would work.
The existing antenna is almost inaccessible; replacement would be very difficult and time consuming.
Now for the question: How can I check the old antenna to verify it would work with the new ELT?
I have a friend who has an SWR meter. Can we use that to compare the 2 antennas? If not, how can we compare the old and new antennas? Do I have to mount the new antenna on the ground plane just to be able to test it? If so, there is no point in trying to use the old antenna.
Yes, I know there are those who advocate the newer ELT's, but I just putt putt around the valley and I can take a PLB with me in the plane or out in the woods.
Thanks for your help.
I'm replacing my ELT (Artex 110-4) with an Ameri-king 450, a 121.5 model that uses the Duracells rather than the $89 battery pack that the Artex uses.
Anyway, the instructions for the new one say using anyone else's antenna is not recommended, but when I called the company the tech guy said it would work.
The existing antenna is almost inaccessible; replacement would be very difficult and time consuming.
Now for the question: How can I check the old antenna to verify it would work with the new ELT?
I have a friend who has an SWR meter. Can we use that to compare the 2 antennas? If not, how can we compare the old and new antennas? Do I have to mount the new antenna on the ground plane just to be able to test it? If so, there is no point in trying to use the old antenna.
Yes, I know there are those who advocate the newer ELT's, but I just putt putt around the valley and I can take a PLB with me in the plane or out in the woods.
Thanks for your help.