The wood panel mockup is genius. Quick to make, you can sit in the plane and change your mind as many times as you want. Then you have a form board to create your wiring harness.
Re: bbs428 Build
The wood panel mockup is genius. Quick to make, you can sit in the plane and change your mind as many times as you want. Then you have a form board to create your wiring harness.
Kitfox 5 (under construction)
Commercial SE/ME, CFII
Re: bbs428 Build
In your last picture I see a round antenna ground plane. Does the antenna just stick through the fabric?
Re: bbs428 Build
RV6 - That's the txpdr ant. and yes is just sticks out. (see 1st pic. it's wrapped with tape) It's a TED ant from AC Spruce. Reinforced the small hole with a tape. Com ant is in the vertical stab. I moved the TED ant. due to possible interference from the a/p servos. (see 2nd pic)
Many have said you do not need a ground plane and while true, it does make for a nice install, it's very light and it should increase the ant. performance. How much? We shall see!
Last edited by bbs428; 12-15-2020 at 12:25 PM.
"Somebody said that carrier pilots were the best in the world, and they must be or there wouldn't be any of them left alive." Ernie Pyle
Brett Butler
Flying: N46KF, 1998 Model 5 Outback, 912ul 110hp, G3x with 2 axis a/p, Beringer wheels & brakes, SS7 firewall forward, NR prop, Custom paint
Re: bbs428 Build
Do you have pics of your COM antenna in your vertical fin? I want to do this too.
Kitfox 5 (under construction)
Commercial SE/ME, CFII
Re: bbs428 Build
Thanks for the response.
You just showed a new photo with the antenna attached to the airframe. Do not need the ground plane for that antenna. The other photo in a series of a number of photos shows a ground plane attached to the airframe with Adel clamps. You do need that ground plane for that antenna.
A com antenna in the vertical stab can be a problem due to all the metal tubing around it.
Allan
Re: bbs428 Build
Originally Posted by alexM
Very handy indeed. The idea from Nikk Audenried and J. McBean's Kitfox avionics video.
My back cannot contort like it used to so I just roll my chair around the jig and it works out very nice. Easy to solder, build plugs and run wires. Goal is to look like a professional harness, works like one and fits! Not a lot to ask for...
Here is a pic of the entire jig board early in the initial mock up.
"Somebody said that carrier pilots were the best in the world, and they must be or there wouldn't be any of them left alive." Ernie Pyle
Brett Butler
Flying: N46KF, 1998 Model 5 Outback, 912ul 110hp, G3x with 2 axis a/p, Beringer wheels & brakes, SS7 firewall forward, NR prop, Custom paint
Re: bbs428 Build
Sure thing... It's an SA-006 from AC Spruce.
Two things to remember.
1. You have to have an access panel for the com ant. connection. DAR will want to see it. Some don't like a access panel in this area.
2. Your never changing it so if you decide to use another ant. after it's installed, this bit of aluminum is going to stay there forever or until you recover, whichever comes 1st.
"Somebody said that carrier pilots were the best in the world, and they must be or there wouldn't be any of them left alive." Ernie Pyle
Brett Butler
Flying: N46KF, 1998 Model 5 Outback, 912ul 110hp, G3x with 2 axis a/p, Beringer wheels & brakes, SS7 firewall forward, NR prop, Custom paint
Re: bbs428 Build
Thank you. Damn, I wasn't imagining needing an access cover. So the DAR will want to see the connection or will want to see that it has an access panel for the connection? I understand the risk of having to abandon the thing in the tail, which is why I was hoping to find how others did it successfully.
Have you powered it up and done any range checks? As Allan points out there is risk that it won't work well, but I've read of it being done in rag/tube airplanes.
Kitfox 5 (under construction)
Commercial SE/ME, CFII
Re: bbs428 Build
No, I have yet to power it up. It will be at the top of the list. Allen brings up some good points. I don't know if the metal tubes will mitigate the signal to the point of uselessness or not. Before I cut that access hole you can be sure I'll be doing some testing!
If I were to do it again or IF I have to do it over, I would install this antenna on a non metallic brace in the fuselage where I can get at the connection so no access panel would be needed.
https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catal...nnasystems.php
"Somebody said that carrier pilots were the best in the world, and they must be or there wouldn't be any of them left alive." Ernie Pyle
Brett Butler
Flying: N46KF, 1998 Model 5 Outback, 912ul 110hp, G3x with 2 axis a/p, Beringer wheels & brakes, SS7 firewall forward, NR prop, Custom paint
Re: bbs428 Build
I believe Darrel (Delta Whiskey) used the 5T antenna in his vertical stab. He indicated during his build that he was happy with its initial performance. Now that he's flying, maybe he can chime in and let us know if he's happy with the performance. His build log has some great pics of his install as well. Good info on the requirement for the antenna connection access point. Hadn't thought of that.
Geek
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