Re: Light-Sport Aircraft Yahoo group Transponder Antenna install

I don't know about legality, but I do know something about
functionality. It's not going to do you much good up there. You mount
a transponder antenna on the belly for the same reason you mount a GPS
antenna on the roof - you want have an unobstructed view of what it is
trying to talk with. Here in the DC SFRA we don't go anywhere unless
ATC can pick up our transponder. Even mounted on the belly, the slant
range, especially on a low wing plane, can cause problems with ATC
picking up you signal. It's not uncommon for me to have to do a steep
banked 360 especially at low altitude for them to get my signal. I
can't imagine them ever getting my signal if the antenna was on the roof.

Helen

On 3/26/2012 4:11 PM, ron_d_hill wrote:
> Is there any legal reason why I can't install my transponder antenna on the TOP of the plane between the wings?
>
> See, I have a challenger and the whole bottom of the plane is fabric with a few braces made out of aluminum. It seems like it would be MUCH easier to just drill a whole and install the antenna on the metal covering than making a grounding plane and riveting it to the braces under the plane.
>
> Also, it would move the antenna further away from the occupants.
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>

------------------------------------

Yahoo! Groups Links

<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Sport_Aircraft/

<*> Your email settings:
Individual Email | Traditional

<*> To change settings online go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Sport_Aircraft/join
(Yahoo! ID required)

<*> To change settings via email:
Sport_Aircraft-digest@yahoogroups.com
Sport_Aircraft-fullfeatured@yahoogroups.com

<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
Sport_Aircraft-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/