I am planning on doing some antenna upgrades, and thought maybe a little discussion here might smoke out some new ideas from folks, so here goes:
When I built the Valkyrie, I installed a good, solid RAMI comm antenna on the belly for the #1 Comm, a clone (there were plans floating around the web) of an Archer antenna in the right wing tip (installed in a horizontal plain) for the VOR/LOC/GS, and another Archer clone in the left wing tip, installed diagonally (upper to lower surface of the tip) to get some vertical polarization for the #2 Comm. Performance for the VHF Nav was initially good (not Outstanding), but has steadily degraded (I have gone through all connections for corrosion, and have found none.) to the unacceptable level. The Comm #2 performance has always made that a formation/ground control/ATIS inside of 30 miles radio. No change there, but annoying when I have a good radio working through a not-so-good antenna.
So...i am thinking of upgrading. I'd rather NOT add another external comm antenna, since it would end up being non-symmetrical on the belly (in order to get good distance to #1 Comm), but will if I have to. I'd really rather not add VOR whiskers, as I don't like them on the tips of a tail dragger, and putting them underneath the horizontal tail will take some significant work. I could be REAL Archer antennas - the cheapest option - if I can get good performance from them. There are also some Antennas from Advanced Aircraft Electronics that ACS sells, primarily for use in plastic airplanes - I wonder if anyone has tried them in their RV tips. I have even thought of a Rubber Ducky mounted by the mid-cabin brace for the #2 Comm, but wonder if I could get 50+ mile performance out of it.
Before any of the side-by-side folks say "put a Comm antenna on top of the Fuselage - you can't do that on an -8 - there is no room with the big sliding bubble.
So - anyone want to contribute experience/thoughts? If someone says "I've been using my Archers for Nav for 5 years and have 100 mile range!", I'd probably order today!
Paul
When I built the Valkyrie, I installed a good, solid RAMI comm antenna on the belly for the #1 Comm, a clone (there were plans floating around the web) of an Archer antenna in the right wing tip (installed in a horizontal plain) for the VOR/LOC/GS, and another Archer clone in the left wing tip, installed diagonally (upper to lower surface of the tip) to get some vertical polarization for the #2 Comm. Performance for the VHF Nav was initially good (not Outstanding), but has steadily degraded (I have gone through all connections for corrosion, and have found none.) to the unacceptable level. The Comm #2 performance has always made that a formation/ground control/ATIS inside of 30 miles radio. No change there, but annoying when I have a good radio working through a not-so-good antenna.
So...i am thinking of upgrading. I'd rather NOT add another external comm antenna, since it would end up being non-symmetrical on the belly (in order to get good distance to #1 Comm), but will if I have to. I'd really rather not add VOR whiskers, as I don't like them on the tips of a tail dragger, and putting them underneath the horizontal tail will take some significant work. I could be REAL Archer antennas - the cheapest option - if I can get good performance from them. There are also some Antennas from Advanced Aircraft Electronics that ACS sells, primarily for use in plastic airplanes - I wonder if anyone has tried them in their RV tips. I have even thought of a Rubber Ducky mounted by the mid-cabin brace for the #2 Comm, but wonder if I could get 50+ mile performance out of it.
Before any of the side-by-side folks say "put a Comm antenna on top of the Fuselage - you can't do that on an -8 - there is no room with the big sliding bubble.
So - anyone want to contribute experience/thoughts? If someone says "I've been using my Archers for Nav for 5 years and have 100 mile range!", I'd probably order today!
Paul
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