Internal Com Antennas

[dpbray]

Has anyone used the Advanced Aircraft Antennas from Chief Aircraft. These are advertised to work without a ground plane in composite or fabric covered aircraft. Does the wood interfere with type of antenna. If so, what would be a good alternative external Com antenna and mounting posistion?
Thanks, David Bray

[Keith Mackey]

The antenna you describe would work well in a wood structure as it does not require metal to act as a ground plane. Here's more info:

Advanced Aircraft Electronics Inc.
P.O. Box 28
Ellwood City, PA, 16117
Phone 1-800-758-8632 [/URL]
http://www.advancedaircraft.com

Another option that will do the job and cost less is the Bob Archer antenna for wood and composite aircraft available from Aircraft Spruce.
http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/avpages/composite_antna.php

Besides, the Mite looks better with no visible antennas.

Keith

[Scott Royall]

I've never covered an airplane but I understand that some of the fabric systems that use a silver coat for UV protection, mix aluminum powder into the liquid coating. The idea is to get enough aluminum on the surface of the fabric to block the sun. How does this coat of aluminum effect the operation of the internal antenna?
I'd like to use internal antennas too but I have been worried that they wouldn't work well under the aluminum.

Scott

[Keith Mackey]

No problem for me using internal antennas and the PolyFiber system including the silver coats of paint.

[dpbray]

I'm glad to hear that you have had good success using internal antennas with the Polyfiber system. Could you describe the locations and the make and model of your antennas?
Thanks
David Bray

[Keith Mackey]

I'm using a Bob Archer com antenna & an AAE transponder antenna. Both installed in the tail cone and vertically polarized.

[dpbray]

Thanks Keith, I took your suggestion and ordered the Archer com antenna. I'll keep the exsisting rod and ball transponder antenna that is under the wing center section.

[Joelj]

Hello David -
Our Mite also has a Loran antenna mounted inside the fuselage and provided successful reception during the Loran era. I may have a freehand drawing that my Dad made of the deck/ground plane that he installed for mounting. I'll see if I can dig it up, scan it and e-mail it. I'd consider this "off the record" because although I'm sure Dad factored it into the W&B, I doubt if it was ever signed off.
Joel