Sender: <marv@lancaironline.net> (Marvin Kaye)
To: lml
Date: Sat, 21 Sep 2002 19:12:46 -0400
Message-ID: <redirect-1740998@logan.com>
Reply-To: "Dan Schaefer" <dfs155@earthlink.net>
From: "Dan Schaefer" <dfs155@earthlink.net>
Subject: Re: On the subject of comm antennas...
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Regarding Ed Sikora's request for operational data on the RST copper foil
antennas.

Ed, I used RST antennas for VOR, Glide Slope, Marker Beacon and Xponder.
(The Xponder was their kit, the only one not constructed of copper foil).

The VOR ant. is built into the horiz. stab. and is a "hot" as any I've ever
seen in a spam can with the external "whiskers" or "towel-bars" on the vert.
stab. The Glide Slope ant. is installed just inboard of the right wing-tip,
on the inside of the upper skin - it also works very well, providing glide
slope indications well in excess of what is required. The Marker Beacon ant.
is built into the fuselage floor (because of it's length) over on the
pilot's side and it too works perfectly - in fact, maybe a little too good
but entirely acceptable. RST's kit Xponder ant. is mounted in the left
wing-tip, also attached to the inner top skin, oriented with the spike
sticking downward. With the King KT-76A unit, I've never had ATC complain
that they couldn't see me or read my altitude (of course, as long as I'm in
a radar enviornment).

As long as you cut the foils to the proper length and assemble and mount the
Xponder kit as required, as detailed in the RST instructions, in my opinion
they are as good as any store-bought units, bar none.

Incidentally, I've made the underside of my wing-tips removeable in order to
service the antennas and tip-strobes and Nav lights. In 600+ hours, I've
never had to get in there to diddle with the antennas there - they worked
perfectly from the get-go.

Cheers,

Dan Schaefer