From: marv@lancair.net
Subject: Re: [LML] Long Range Coms
To: lml
Date: Tue, 11 Mar 2008 10:29:41 -0400
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Posted for "Bill & Sue" <5zq@cox.net>:

  Hi Larry,
  
  We've got a little experience with long range com. We're putting HF and
SatCom on the IV.
  
For the HF we use an Icom IC-706MKIIG.
   http://www.rigpix.com/icom/ic706mkiig.htm  It's a ham radio that can be
easily modified for use on the aviation HF freqs. It's small, lightweight and
inexpensive (compared to aviation HF radios).  It puts out 100 watts. I talk
regularly to Europe and South America from Virginia with it on the 20 meter
ham band. Another great feature is the detachable face. You can mount the main
unit in the baggage compartment or anywhere else and have just a little
control panel measuring about 5" wide, 2" high and 3/4" deep. Easy to mount on
the panel or anywhere convenient.
  
  In addition to the 706 you'll need an antenna tuner. We have an Icom IC-AH4
mounted in the tail of the IV. It will tune a wire as short as 23 feet.  We
have ours set up as non-retractable so there is no weight or drogue on the end
of the wire. A thin wire of 25 feet or so won't produce any measurable drag.
As far as I know, there are no small internal HF antennae.
  
  We used an Iridium Sat phone on our trip to Europe in our 320. It worked
GREAT. There was no place that we didn't have signal. With the 320 being
glass, we just used the regular antenna attached to the phone. We used a cell
phone adapter to run the Satphone through the headset. In the IV, we've
mounted a Sat phone antenna in the tail. The one we are using is meant to go
on top of a boat mast but it fits nicely inside the glass vertical stab.
  
  It's possible to send and receive email on either the HF or the sat phone.
For the HF, you'll need a ham license. The General class license is the
minimum required for HF frequencies. It's a written test and you can study for
it on line or find a class through a ham club in your area. Morse code
proficiency is no longer required.
  
  Hope this helps. Let me know if you need any other details.
  
  Bill Harrelson
  N5ZQ 320 1,450 hrs
  N6ZQ  IV under construction
  
  KI4VXX