Antenna wiring

[jrevens]

I've only found some very general comments on this topic by searching this forum, & I'm hoping to get some additional detailed feedback from builders and perhaps from John McBean (on how they do it on their factory birds). I know that it is generally good practice to separate comm &/or transponder antenna wires as far as possible from the other parallel wiring working it's way forward to the panel. My question is, has it been successful to run those antenna wires together with everything in the same tight bundle or bundles? It seems like it would be nice to run a couple of bundles, from both sides, with everything meeting in the middle, through the center tunnel & up to the instrument panel. Has that worked well for most, or is it a no-no? I'm obviously talking about using good shielding & grounding technique, although the pitch trim actuator wire included in the kit is unshielded (but use of that circuit should be of very short duration & intermittant even if it may be a noise generator). Thanks for any comments.

[DanB]

John,
I have pointed a few folks to Bob Nuckolls site where you will find his book on all things electric in airplanes. The name of the book is The Aero Electric Connection and it is well worth the $25 or so bucks he asks for it. It has become a go to resource that many guys here on this list have adopted.
Take a look at this page http://www.aeroelectric.com/articles.html as it may give you some insight or help. The other thing that helps is to join the Matronics Aero Electric group. When you have an electrical question, it's a great place to go. But Bob's book (in my humble opinion) is the thing to have.
FWIW,
Dan

[jrevens]

Thank you, Dan. I do have Bob's book, & I agree that it is a great resource. I don't think that the issue/question of running the antenna wires in the same bundle with other wiring is really specifically addressed there though. I'll have to look again. I'd really be interested in any "real-world" experience with the Kitfox specifically in this regard. Do most builders bundle the wires together, or seperate the antenna coax (especially the transponder) from other wires? That's what I'd like to know. I'm running RG-400, & have one transponder & one comm antenna.

[SSFoxBuilder]

This is a great question. We are in the planning phases of everything electric for our SS and would greatly appreciate further insight on this topic! Thanks to everyone in advance!

[jiott]

I am also getting to that point and am very interested in answers.

Jim

[War Eagle]

I have run both my comm and transponder cables down through the center console. The transponder antenna cable breaks off and goes to the antenna which is under the passenger seat area. The comm antenna cable exits behind the seat and goes up the fuselage tubing to the antenna just behind the turtle deck.

I also run a TCAS and the antenna is on the underside of the fuselage about 6 feet back from the transponder antenna location. The antenna cable for that also runs down through the center console.

All shielded cables and I haven't had any problems that I noticed at all. No one has ever said anything about my transponder or comm transmissions being bad.

All have passed the regular certification tests.