Message-ID: <3ABE9435.6CF47D23@qwest.net>
Date: Sun, 25 Mar 2001 16:58:29 -0800
From: Curtis Krouse <kc16@qwest.net>
To: lancair.list@olsusa.com
Subject: Re: VOR Antenna Problems
References: <d.121a8314.27efe26c@aol.com>
Reply-To: lancair.list@olsusa.com
Mime-Version: 1.0

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Change the cable first....have it retested, if it still doesn't check
out adequately, temporarily install the rabbit ear style antenna where
the tech suggested.  If that works out, read on.

You might also check out the cable connection to the antenna which is
already there.  Maybe what you really need to do is remove the cable
connection for the antenna and rebuild that.  The folded up piece of
flat metal is somewhat of a standard choice.  I preferred to manufacture
mine using the RST Engineering kit from www.rstengineering.com.  For
somewhere around $35 you can get written material that will help you
troubleshoot the existing antenna and come up with your own conclusion
as to what is wrong with your current setup.  It will also give you
material to make a new antenna if you need to.  You might also want to
ditch the rabbit ear idea in lieu of building your own nav antenna on
the fuselage from the kit material.  Or get your tech to build it and
you can get someone to glass it in.  If your plane is carbon fiber, you
will probably have to either mount it in the wingtip, or on the bottom
of the fuselage.  Which means that you will have to fix the wingtip
antenna, or replace it.

By temporary install I mean to suggest that you could affix the antenna,
but you don't have to go to the lengths of a permanent install. i.e.,
you could affix the ant. with a temporary bonding material or a very
small area of flox.  If the install works, you could then permanently
secure the cable and antenna.  A good question to ask the list is this:
(this is my question as well!) On carbon fiber planes can you mount a
foil tape antenna externally and facilitate the connection through the
carbon to the inside by a flox patch or some other pass through?  I
would think that this could be a very good building solution, however,
if the plane is already painted it could cost quite a bit of money.

Out of curiosity, do you know the amount of loss that your antenna had?  

Good luck and let us know what fix you came up with!

Curtis Krouse N753K


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