Today's Message Index:
----------------------
1. 06:32 AM - Re: Transponder Testing (n3eu@comcast.net)
2. 08:25 AM - Re: Length of Dipole Antenna (Fergus Kyle)
3. 09:57 AM - Finishing and Painting (Brian Davies)
4. 11:31 AM - Re: Finishing and Painting (David Joyce)
5. 01:16 PM - Sheffield City Airport. (R.C.Harrison)
6. 09:07 PM - ELT Questions (DuaneFamly@aol.com)
7. 09:17 PM - Re: ELT Questions (Cliff Shaw)
8. 09:22 PM - Re: ELT Questions (DuaneFamly@aol.com)
9. 10:29 PM - Re: Drop of the Hat fly in Tatenhill (William Mills)
10. 11:15 PM - Re: ELT Questions (Tim Ward)
Message 1
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| Subject: | Re: Transponder Testing |
--> Europa-List message posted by: n3eu@comcast.net
MJKTuck@cs.com wrote:
>
> Hi Folks,
>
> Is there any way of testing the transponder annually without
> having to remove the panel and give it to a radio shop to do
> the testing? For Mode C testing my radio shop attaches a harness
> to the transponder as well as a vacuum to the static system then
> checks the readout of the transponder/encoder every 100 ft
> increment. While interesting to watch and quite satisfying to
> see its all a bit of a hassle to get the panel out and back in again.
>
> I wonder how other homebuilts (RV's) which do not have removable
> panels are able to check functionality and satisfy the FAR's. Is
> there a 'minimal' test which will satisfy the regs for Experimental?
There's no exception for homebuilts; the test must be done "as installed" (or quickie
checked after re-installation if both xponder/encoder bench checked); but
for Mode C and VFR, it should be a simple test. If you observed checks every
100' all the way up to like 20,000, it sounds as though the shop owner had a
boat payment due. :-)
For VFR they need only check a "sufficient number of test points," and the details
as to how they can easily check all Mode C data lines are not important here,
except to note there's a limited range where the guy should check every 100'.
Vacuum can easily be pulled at the static port, sealing the other port if two ports
- necessary to complete test if for IFR. Problem is how much you can pull
out of the static system and not harm the airspeed, so they have to break into
the static system appropriately.
Re panel removal problem, if the airspeed static were brought out under the panel
and then back in, with an exposed in-line fitting, the guy could connect there
and seal the static port. However, if there's some system leakage - allowable
for VFR, the tech guy may not like that, and often they don't like suggestions
as to how to do their job! Worth plumbing it that way just in case.
Regards,
Fred F.
Message 2
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| Subject: | Re: Length of Dipole Antenna |
--> Europa-List message posted by: "Fergus Kyle" <VE3LVO@rac.ca>
Subject: Re: Europa-List: Length of Dipole Antenna
| --> Europa-List message posted by: n3eu@comcast.net|
| Graham Singleton wrote:|
| >>Tony,
| >> Get with one of the local ham radio operators that has a
| >> GOOD SWR meter. Us it to "tune" the lengths to give you the best
| >> (lowest swr) reflective power over the aircraft band. I have a
| >> very nice curve which bottoms out about mid range.| >
| > Its best done with any nearby metalwork in place, ie elevator push rod
and > other hardware. rudder pushrod too. They will have an effect
| > Graham | >
|
| Sure can have an effect on tuning, but worth noting that tuning the
antenna will not likely mitigate the effect on radiation pattern caused by
nearby metal, especially near the tips.|
| To this end, there's a web site with enormous detail on these antennas,
and author sounds authoritative. He has developed a "meander line" antenna
using foil tape. He claims similar performance, with the meander line
seemingly favoring the low end of the band a bit. Mostly what it does is
allow for a shorter antenna, placing tips further away from annoying metal
elements.|
| Antenna fans can browse:|
| http://www.nancymoon.com/antennas.htm
| Regards, Fred F.
Cheers,
I followed Graham's admonition and Fred's contribution witrh
interest and then wandered off to the nancymoon site and found it
fascinating. Roy has said all the things that needed saying, and covers the
subject well. In fact those not keen on antennas can just about copy his
layouts verbatim and not see troubles found in other compromises.
A word of caution though. The proposed Antenna Analyser is the ideal
tool. However I've found it has a quirk or two. First of all, all antenna
measuring devices need to be classified as to use. Either it will accept a
limited amount of power applied to the antenna - OR it strictly won't. The
difference may be a hgundred bucks in repairs. It is very tempting to forget
the tool is attached ONLY for measuring the antenna's qualities and put a
watt through to see what the readings do - and they go doo-doo.
What effect does this have, you may ask. Well, if you put out
several hundred monetary units for the thing, loan it and the loanee blows
its guts out, your utilisation plan is shot. This happens even with the best
intensioned ham or otherwise. So the practical answer is: Have the owner do
it. That's why I suggested the local ham club. This tactic will meet with
greater glee than asking to use his. Yes, it may take some time to claw down
you quarry but it's worth it in the long run.
Second word of caution: In his soapbox diatribe on SWR he suggests a
"wallwart". For those not into the lingo, it's a transformer device which
'replaces' the battery, providing the requisite voltage in direct current
form. Some do a good job, some don't. The analyser can eat batteries at a
great rate, so the 'mains' are a good alternative - but as a precaution, you
must turn the power off, install the wallwart, THEN select power on at the
unit. The subtlety of this escaped me and I paid a price for not knowing.
The wallwart can poke a shot through the analyser for which it is not
designed. Roy, as I did, has not noted this.
So with that said, I suggest a hearty serving of nancymoon reading
if you want to avoid antenna problems of the efficiency persuasion later.
Ferg VE3LVO
Classic 914 mono
Message 3
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| Subject: | Finishing and Painting |
--> Europa-List message posted by: "Brian Davies" <bdavies@dircon.co.uk>
Has anyone got a recommendation for a company that will do final finishing and
painting in the south of England?
Brian Davies kit 454
Wings ready for final filling/painting
Fuselage ready for sticking top on
Panel complete
Message 4
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| Subject: | Re: Finishing and Painting |
--> Europa-List message posted by: "David Joyce" <davidjoyce@doctors.org.uk>
Brian, If you are interested in a gel coat finish, which is very hard and
durable and ultra smooth, and the automatic choice of glider manufacturers
then the country's expert (or at least one of them) is Roger Targett at
Nympsfield (between Stonehouse and Dursley in Gloucestershire.) Tel 01453
860861 He repairs gliders and power planes and is a PFA inspector who has
supervised 3 Europas and several other PFA aircraft. Perhaps that stretches
your definition of the South of England. Regards, David Joyce
----- Original Message -----
From: Brian Davies <bdavies@dircon.co.uk>
Subject: Europa-List: Finishing and Painting
> --> Europa-List message posted by: "Brian Davies" <bdavies@dircon.co.uk>
>
> Has anyone got a recommendation for a company that will do final finishing
and painting in the south of England?
>
> Brian Davies kit 454
> Wings ready for final filling/painting
> Fuselage ready for sticking top on
> Panel complete
>
>
> ________________________________________________________________________
> This email has been scanned using the CleanPort MEF antivirus
> system. Funded for members by the Doctors.net.uk Bulletin service
> How does this protect me? http://www.Doctors.net.uk/qualityemail
> ________________________________________________________________________
>
>
Message 5
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| Subject: | Sheffield City Airport. |
--> Europa-List message posted by: "R.C.Harrison" <ptag.dev@ukonline.co.uk>
Attention "drop of the hat" /Saga Sarga Chaps.
Further to my message concerning requirements of faxing to Sheffield Airport prior
to PPR it is still more complicated!
I guess you really do want to go there badly!
You need to ask them to fax you an "application for PPR form" to be completed and
faxed back. In fact then you can PPR the day before BUT WAIT FOR IT...... they
will waive the "day before bit".
This gets you to acknowledge receipt of inbound instructions etc.
I've sent mine off with some pretty curt words so no doubt when I turn up they
may impound my aircraft or do they "nail a note to the mast" these days!
At present any wish I had to go there has about been sapped but who knows.....
I can be pretty determined !
We had a good turn out at Tatenhill today after I had aborted to the Isle of Wight!
However William will no doubt report on Tatenhill.
Just out of interest in the February Issue of "Flyer" there's =A324 of landing
vouchers for February.
Beccles(EGSM), Fishburn, Old Buckenham(EGSV) (Duncan likes this one!)and Stapleford(EGSG)
I just may get my bird back in they air for some of those!
regards
Bob Harrison G-PTAG
do not archive
Message 6
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--> Europa-List message posted by: DuaneFamly@aol.com
Good day All,
I am presently looking to mount my Amer-King AK-450 ELT under the port side
baggage bay as I have seen others do. One person's website photos showed the
ELT antennae mounted horizontally across the baggage bay beneath the "D" window.
But upon reading the instructions that came with my ELT, it says that the
antennae must be mounted within 20 degrees of vertical when the aircraft is in
a
normal flight attitude. Has something changed? Also they want a minimum 36
inch diameter ground plane around the base of the antennae. What have others done
to fulfill this specification?
Mike Duane A207
Redding, California
XS Conventional Gear
CM & rudder pedals with cables installed. Working on tailwheel and baggage
bay. Conventional Landing gear might be the next thing to be installed.
Message 7
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| Subject: | Re: ELT Questions |
--> Europa-List message posted by: "Cliff Shaw" <flyinggpa@comcast.net>
Mike
The ELT only is in use after the plane has made a "hard landing" . Who can
guess in what attitude the fuselage will be setting when the search planes
come looking?
I put mine in where it was the most convenient and where it will not be
disturbed in the years to come. I hope never to rally need it. (it did come
on and work properly when I had my "hard landing" and broke the prop)
Cliff Shaw
1041 Euclid ave.
Edmonds, WA 98020
425 776 5555
----- Original Message -----
From: <DuaneFamly@aol.com>
Subject: Europa-List: ELT Questions
> --> Europa-List message posted by: DuaneFamly@aol.com
>
> Good day All,
>
> I am presently looking to mount my Amer-King AK-450 ELT under the port
side
> baggage bay as I have seen others do. One person's website photos showed
the
> ELT antennae mounted horizontally across the baggage bay beneath the "D"
window.
> But upon reading the instructions that came with my ELT, it says that the
> antennae must be mounted within 20 degrees of vertical when the aircraft
is in a
> normal flight attitude. Has something changed? Also they want a minimum 36
> inch diameter ground plane around the base of the antennae. What have
others done
> to fulfill this specification?
>
>
> Mike Duane A207
> Redding, California
> XS Conventional Gear
> CM & rudder pedals with cables installed. Working on tailwheel and baggage
> bay. Conventional Landing gear might be the next thing to be installed.
>
>
Message 8
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| Subject: | Re: ELT Questions |
--> Europa-List message posted by: DuaneFamly@aol.com
Cliff,
Did you use any form of groundplane? Where did you mount it that was out of
the way?
Mike
Message 9
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| Subject: | Re: Drop of the Hat fly in Tatenhill |
--> Europa-List message posted by: "William Mills" <combined.merchants@virgin.net>
Dear All,
Five Europas made it to Tatenhill: Peter Lawless, Geoff Leedham, Kevin
Pilcher, Bob Harrison and me. The Monos were out numbered this time.
Lands End and Manchester Barton remain unused, or we could actually pay for
the last landing in January. Anybody any suggestions for next week? I
might try Lands End on Saturday if the weather is OK
Best wishes,
William
---- Original Message -----
From: <RMRRick@aol.com>
Subject: Re: Europa-List: Drop of the Hat fly in Tatenhill
> --> Europa-List message posted by: RMRRick@aol.com
>
> Sorry Tatenhill. There I go again.
>
> Rick
>
>
Message 10
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| Subject: | Re: ELT Questions |
--> Europa-List message posted by: "Tim Ward" <ward.t@xtra.co.nz>
Mike,
I have just been to see Bob Archer from Torrance City to buy a COM/VHF
aerial and Transponder aerial from him for a fellow Europa builder. I asked
him about the ELT aerial. He confirmed what I had done was the best for a
composite aircraft. I made a dipole out of copper tape across the inner
surface of the fuselage behind the baggage bulkhead and on the upper half
of the fuselage. Therefore you do not need a ground plane. The copper tape
is held by BID on the surface. It will give far better transmission for over
flying aircraft and satellites due to it's area and exposure. To clarify it
with him he would be happy to answer questions.
His email address is bobsantennas@earthlink.com
Ex NASA.
If you use the aerial supplied by the Amer-King AK-450 ELT then mount it
vertically on a piece of 'U' aluminum secured to the floor, on its side, of
the aircraft and for the ground plane run some aluminum/copper tape through
the mounting of the aerial on the 'U' aluminum and out to a length either
direction equal to the length of the aerial. Make it 2 pieces of tape at
approx 90 degrees. If you are using an Archer COM 006a aerial then it will
not like the vertically polarized ELT aerial. Horizontal is OK however
dipole is better.
For what it is worth.
Cheers,
Tim
Tim Ward
12 Waiwetu Street,
Fendalton,
Christchurch, 8005
New Zealand.
Ph 0064 3 3515166
ward.t@xtra.co.nz
----- Original Message -----
From: <DuaneFamly@aol.com>
Subject: Europa-List: ELT Questions
> --> Europa-List message posted by: DuaneFamly@aol.com
>
> Good day All,
>
> I am presently looking to mount my Amer-King AK-450 ELT under the port
side
> baggage bay as I have seen others do. One person's website photos showed
the
> ELT antennae mounted horizontally across the baggage bay beneath the "D"
window.
> But upon reading the instructions that came with my ELT, it says that the
> antennae must be mounted within 20 degrees of vertical when the aircraft
is in a
> normal flight attitude. Has something changed? Also they want a minimum 36
> inch diameter ground plane around the base of the antennae. What have
others done
> to fulfill this specification?
>
>
> Mike Duane A207
> Redding, California
> XS Conventional Gear
> CM & rudder pedals with cables installed. Working on tailwheel and baggage
> bay. Conventional Landing gear might be the next thing to be installed.
>
>
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