Today's Message Index:
----------------------
1. 02:16 AM - Re: Ground Plane (Simon Smith)
2. 06:31 AM - Re: Ground Plane (europa flugzeug fabrik)
3. 06:43 AM - Ground plane (AlStills)
4. 11:06 AM - ground plane (=?UTF-8?Q?R=C3=A9mi_Guerner?=)
5. 12:25 PM - Cracked aluminum plate on 912S muffler (irampil@notes.cc.sunysb.edu)
6. 02:59 PM - Re: Cracked aluminum plate on 912S muffler (nigel charles)
7. 03:33 PM - Re: Cracked aluminum plate on 912S muffler (William Harrison)
8. 03:41 PM - Re: ground plane (AlStills)
9. 03:46 PM - Re: Cracked aluminum plate on 912S muffler (Rman)
10. 07:28 PM - Transponder Antenna (Fergus Kyle)
Message 1
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I've got the Archer dipole in my Europa. It is mounted about 6" forward of
the inspection hole at the bottom of the fin. It works fine.
I would be concerned about flying with a transponder aerial mounted in the
baggage area. The radiation is damaging to eyes etc and the aerial should
be mounted as far away as possible from the crew.
More info on exposure risk is available at
http://www.pfa.org.uk/Consultation%20and%20Lobbying/Mode%20S/Non-ionising%20
Radiation%20Risks%20and%20Mode%20S.pdf
(The line might wrap so you may have to stitch)
Simon
_____
From: owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com
[mailto:owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of
jimpuglise@comcast.net
Sent: 18 December 2006 03:39
Subject: Re: Europa-List: Ground Plane
Al-
I have mine installed but have not used it yet. I think you are going to be
much better off with a vertical dipole in the Europa than a ground plane.
The Archer antenna the others spoke about is a vertical dipole. Mine is
fastened to a piece of balsa wood that is fitted to the contour of the
fuselage on the port side as far aft as possible. It is just about opposite
the inspection port in the root of the rudder. I'll let you know how it
works in a year or so.
Jim Puglise - A-283
-------------- Original message --------------
From: "AlStills" <astills@cox.net>
>
> Hi all,
> I've been having a little problem with ATC reading my transponder all the
> time. I suspect a bit of shadowing.. I have the 2 1/2"-3" transponder
> antenna mounted
> upside down on a shelf on the rear corner of the baggage bay. I have a 6"
> steel ground plane mounted to the antenna. What size ground plane have
> others used
> successfully and where is your antenna mounted. ATC reads me better out of
> KGEU with a feed from Luke AFB while KDVT (where I'm hangered) gets their
> feed
> from Phoenix Sky Harbor airport. By far KDVT is worse than KGEU. I know
> there is difference in the feed from the different radars but n eed to R>>
Message 2
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| Subject: | Re: Ground Plane |
Note that the linked PFA document does point out that transponder replies are very
brief and occasional -- low average power, but no detailed studies done.
There is an RF exposure calculator on ARRLs web site which suggests, if one makes
some plausible assumptions and fiddles with it, that a cell phone is more
hazardous, and little evidence of a problem there so far. Many of us yak on cells
(continuous xmission) in a year longer than we might spend flying in a year
(occasional bursts of a like a millisecond each but at higher power). Distance
from the body (a square in the formula) matters greatly re RF power.
Fred F.
Read this topic online here:
http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=82220#82220
Message 3
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Thanks to all who replied. I'll trim my ground plane down and try that
first. If needed I've seen the Bob Archer antenna's and may switch.
Again thanks for the answers
Al Stills
N625AZ
Message 4
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Hi Al,
I have been looking at the antennas on composites airplanes (Lancairs, Glas
airs, etc) for years and the fact is that most builders install al
l antennas inside the airframe for obvious drag reduction, except for XPDR
and DME antennas. Of course I am talking about glass, not carbon fiber air
frames. XPDR and DME works in the 1030- 1090 MHz frequency range and are th
erefore more sensitive to shadowing and any less than perfect installation.
Best practice is to install the antenna outside, pointing downwards, on t
he belly of the aircraft, with the appropriate ground plane. Minimum size
of the ground plane is 4 wave length in diameter. 10 inch diameter, .025 i
nch thick aluminum is suggested in the litterature. Another thing is to mak
e sure your BNC connectors (both center wire and shielding) are soldered no
t just crimped, as this warrants a better contact in the long term and a be
tter reliability.
Good flights
Remi
Time: 04:27:46 PM PST US
From: "AlStills" <astills@cox.net>
Subject: Europa-List: Ground Plane
Hi all,
I've been having a little problem with ATC reading my transponder all the
time. I suspect a bit of shadowing.. I have the 2 1/2"-3" transponder
antenna mounted
upside down on a shelf on the rear corner of the baggage bay. I have a 6"
steel ground plane mounted to the antenna. What size ground plane have
others used
successfully and where is your antenna mounted. ATC reads me better out of
KGEU with a feed from Luke AFB while KDVT (where I'm hangered) gets their
feed
from Phoenix Sky Harbor airport. By far KDVT is worse than KGEU. I know
there is difference in the feed from the different radars but need to get
rid of most of the
shadowing if possible. Sure would make me more presentable to the guys at
KDVT. (One of the busiest GA ariports in the nation)
Have about 8 hrs on the plane now and the grin is still in place. Gets even
bigger the more I fly!
Al Stills
N625AZ
Message 5
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| Subject: | Cracked aluminum plate on 912S muffler |
Greetings All,
I just completed my annual condition inspection of N224XS
I discover that the aluminum plate strapped atop the muffler was cracked
bilaterally just inside its retaining straps starting forward and
extending
backward. I stop drilled them.
Last year it was the muffler that cracked in several places in or near the
down-
pipe sockets. No problems there this year.
Has anyone else seen this? Since there are no apparent structural
pressures
on this piece of aluminum, the cracks maybe related to thermal stress,
i.e.,
different coefficient of expansion of plate vs muffler to which it is
bound.
I just hate cracks in aircraft!
Any thoughts?
Ira N224XS
Message 6
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| Subject: | Cracked aluminum plate on 912S muffler |
I had significant cracking on mine such that I had to replace it. A new
plate and clamps cost me about =A330 including postage. When I received
the new one I noticed it had sharp edges and corners. I have rounded
these to help stop further cracking. However I suspect that it really
needs a plate made of stainless steel to cope with the heat.
Nigel Charles
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com
[mailto:owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of
irampil@notes.cc.sunysb.edu
Sent: 18 December 2006 20:23
Subject: Europa-List: Cracked aluminum plate on 912S muffler
Greetings All,
I just completed my annual condition inspection of N224XS
I discover that the aluminum plate strapped atop the muffler was cracked
bilaterally just inside its retaining straps starting forward and
extending
backward. I stop drilled them.
Last year it was the muffler that cracked in several places in or near
the down-
pipe sockets. No problems there this year.
Has anyone else seen this? Since there are no apparent structural
pressures
on this piece of aluminum, the cracks maybe related to thermal stress,
i.e.,
different coefficient of expansion of plate vs muffler to which it is
bound.
I just hate cracks in aircraft!
Any thoughts?
Ira N224XS
Message 7
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| Subject: | Re: Cracked aluminum plate on 912S muffler |
Had the same problem. When I replaced the heat shield plate I left
one side of the big fixing clips just a little bit loose so that the
plate can expand and contract relative to the muffler without having
to go into tension forces. 50 hours on there is no sign of the cracks
returning. By the way, I also wire locked the screws on the fixing
clips so they stay just as I want them.
Willie Harrison (G-BZNY)
On 18 Dec 2006, at 20:22, irampil@notes.cc.sunysb.edu wrote:
>
> Greetings All,
>
> I just completed my annual condition inspection of N224XS
>
> I discover that the aluminum plate strapped atop the muffler was
> cracked
> bilaterally just inside its retaining straps starting forward and
> extending
> backward. I stop drilled them.
>
> Last year it was the muffler that cracked in several places in or
> near the down-
> pipe sockets. No problems there this year.
>
> Has anyone else seen this? Since there are no apparent structural
> pressures
> on this piece of aluminum, the cracks maybe related to thermal
> stress, i.e.,
> different coefficient of expansion of plate vs muffler to which it
> is bound.
>
> I just hate cracks in aircraft!
>
> Any thoughts?
>
> Ira N224XS
>
>
Message 8
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Remi,
Thanks for the info. I think I have the solution. Probably a couple of things and
not just one.
Al Stills
N725AZ
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com [mailto:owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com]On Behalf Of Rmi Guerner
Sent: Monday, December 18, 2006 3:57 AM
Subject: Europa-List: ground plane
Hi Al,
I have been looking at the antennas on composites airplanes (Lancairs, Glasairs,
etc) for years and the fact is that most builders install all antennas inside
the airframe for obvious drag reduction, except for XPDR and DME antennas.
Of course I am talking about glass, not carbon fiber airframes. XPDR and DME works
in the 1030- 1090 MHz frequency range and are therefore more sensitive to
shadowing and any less than perfect installation. Best practice is to install
the antenna outside, pointing downwards, on the belly of the aircraft, with
the appropriate ground plane. Minimum size of the ground plane is 4 wave length
in diameter. 10 inch diameter, .025 inch thick aluminum is suggested in the
litterature. Another thing is to make sure your BNC connectors (both center
wire and shielding) are soldered not just crimped, as this warrants a better contact
in the long term and a better reliability.
Good flights
Remi
Time: 04:27:46 PM PST US
From: "AlStills" <astills@cox.net>
Subject: Europa-List: Ground Plane
Hi all,
I've been having a little problem with ATC reading my transponder all the
time. I suspect a bit of shadowing.. I have the 2 1/2"-3" transponder
antenna mounted
upside down on a shelf on the rear corner of the baggage bay. I have a 6"
steel ground plane mounted to the antenna. What size ground plane have
others used
successfully and where is your antenna mounted. ATC reads me better out of
KGEU with a feed from Luke AFB while KDVT (where I'm hangered) gets their
feed
from Phoenix Sky Harbor airport. By far KDVT is worse than KGEU. I know
there is difference in the feed from the different radars but need to get
rid of most of the
shadowing if possible. Sure would make me more presentable to the guys at
KDVT. (One of the busiest GA ariports in the nation)
Have about 8 hrs on the plane now and the grin is still in place. Gets even
bigger the more I fly!
Al Stills
N625AZ
Message 9
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| Subject: | Re: Cracked aluminum plate on 912S muffler |
Ira and Nigel,
I, too, have had two aluminum plates crack. The last was replaced with
a thin, stainless one, of my own manufacture (beat it out of a piece of
unused firewall material). No problems, so far...
Jeff - Baby Blue
247 hrs
nigel charles wrote:
> I had significant cracking on mine such that I had to replace it. A
> new plate and clamps cost me about 30 including postage. When I
> received the new one I noticed it had sharp edges and corners. I have
> rounded these to help stop further cracking. However I suspect that it
> really needs a plate made of stainless steel to cope with the heat.
>
>
>
> Nigel Charles
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com
> [mailto:owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of
> irampil@notes.cc.sunysb.edu
> Sent: 18 December 2006 20:23
> To: europa-list@matronics.com
> Subject: Europa-List: Cracked aluminum plate on 912S muffler
>
>
>
>
> Greetings All,
>
> I just completed my annual condition inspection of N224XS
>
> I discover that the aluminum plate strapped atop the muffler was cracked
> bilaterally just inside its retaining straps starting forward and
> extending
> backward. I stop drilled them.
>
> Last year it was the muffler that cracked in several places in or near
> the down-
> pipe sockets. No problems there this year.
>
> Has anyone else seen this? Since there are no apparent structural
> pressures
> on this piece of aluminum, the cracks maybe related to thermal
> stress, i.e.,
> different coefficient of expansion of plate vs muffler to which it is
> bound.
>
> I just hate cracks in aircraft!
>
> Any thoughts?
>
> Ira N224XS
>
>
>
>
>
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Message 10
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| Subject: | Transponder Antenna |
I see some discussion regarding the subject, and might mention I am using a
homebrew, with an Aircraft Spruce monopole. This design is about $30US and
some gash aluminium sheet. It takes about 30 minutes to fabricate and hangs
by a string from the roof, of course prevented from flailing about.
I have used this design at other frequencies and it works well in
signal strength horizontally in all directions. Add it to RG400 or RG58 and
its UHF connector, and then test for signal strength by alternating with the
present set-up. If you don't like it, you've wasted 20 quid and half an
hour.
It is shown in the Europa Forum gallery, third source down, and in album,
Idjit Builder, item 5.
Happy landings
Ferg Kyle
Europa A064 914 Classic
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