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Walter is quite correct. Part 91 requires an ELT and the TSO specifies that
whatever antenna is used meets the TSO's VSWR requirements. So get those
VSWR meters out and test your system or Janet Reno's ELT Task force will
bust down your door at 4:00 AM. The ugly piece of s**t that comes with the
ELT (the antenna, not Janet) does meet the TSO but it can be "legally"
replaced with another that one meets it as well. It also requires a 36"
diameter ground plane if installed on a non conductive surface.

Regarding the issue of horizontal verses vertical mounting and polarization,
it is true that ground based stations have vertical antennas and therefore
are strongly vertically polarized. If you plan to crash within the line of
site of Center's or Tower's antenna then you want a vertical whip. If you
plan to crash in a remote area, then you will likely (hopefully) be found by
another aircraft. Most aircraft antennas are not strictly vertical.  Most
aircraft antennas are mounted at an angle or are bent, with part of the
antenna horizontal, just go out an the ramp and look. In the real world,
aircraft antennas are insensitive to polarization. They are not, however,
insensitive to field strength and a vertical antenna's field strength is
lowest directly above it, where the search plane is.

I would rather be wrong and found than right and frozen.

Regards
Brent Regan

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