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I did a search on the LML archives and
found a pot pouri of questions, problems and tips, but much of the info had to
do with glass planes (not carbon fiber), and I have some unique challenges as
well.
I have already installed the Bob
Archer com antenna in the vert/stab and a nav antenna in the winglet (think just
one). My unique challenge is the fact that most of my belly
between the gear and forward to the firewall is fuel tank, so this area is
unusable for antennas. I think, based on complaints, that I want at least
one more com antenna. As shown in the attached picture, of the aft
fuselage area with my A/C, there is no way I can get a large ground plane in
there. With carbon, do they usually install it in the fuselage (wondering
if the ground plane does any good behind the carbon)? I may be able to get
a "segmented" one in there, with part of the ground plane inside the A/C
condenser box, and run a ground strap or strip between the segments at each
end of the "pie slice" cut out for the A/C. Otherwise I am limited to a
smaller ground plane, or installing one on the outside of the skin (already body
worked and in primer).
Also, for the transponder and Marker beacon
antennas, wondering if I could place one at the rear of each wing
fairing, as I think the ground plane (G/P) on those would be smaller, and the
G/P could be "seen" easily through the fiberglass of those fairings.
My understanding is the gound plane need only be as large in radius as the
length of the actual antenna it is connected to?
Thanks in advance for any advice.
Tom Sullivan
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