PilotAware
British Forum => General Discussion => Topic started by: Dpark on September 10, 2016, 08:22:29 pm
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Anyone fitted an external antenna?
If not has anyone any information on the best one to get and where?
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Hi Dpark,
What type of aircraft are you flying?
Lots of people have fitted external antennas to metal bodied aircraft. The best one for P3i transceive is a 1/4 wave monopole, which can be fitted using one of the 3 metre co-ax extension leads - both available from the PilotAwareHardware.com site. This needs a metal ground plane to ensure effective horizontal transmission radiation, so fitting to a metal bodied aircraft is ideal. When fitted, it can be easily weather-sealed by applying a thin smear of silicone under the joint during fitting. Remember, however that you need official approval from your permit authority as drilling holes in your aircraft constitutes a modification.
Because of the much higher transmit power, the 1090MHz receive only antenna normally works fine when located internally - just try to give it as clear a view of 'sky' as possible - e.g. through a window. If you have to fit an external one, I would go for the same type as are sold for transponder use as these are both sturdy and weatherproof.
In all cases, try to keep antennas at least 300mm apart.
Regards
Peter
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For the 1090MHz (ADS-B), I thought of this...
http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/avpages/ted_transponder.php?clickkey=4083 (http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/avpages/ted_transponder.php?clickkey=4083)
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Same thing available from a 'local' UK source
http://www.gps.co.uk/product.asp?strParents=&CAT_ID=0&P_ID=1894&strPageHistory=search&numSearchStartRecord=1
Regards
Peter
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Hi All My two pennyworth
The antennas that you describe are expensive and not necessary. The 1090Mz reception is so good that a PilotAware monopole is good for use either as a 1090 or 869MHz monopole with ground plane.
I will confess here that both my antennas on the Sporscruiser were sourced from Paddy Magee at Lumen electronics (google it). He build them bespoke an they revery good. Both Monople about each£8
Keith