Does this need a ground plane or no? Mixed message on this page

[danny_galaga]

I was assuming so, but further down in the speil it has 'general information about aerials'. Is that just filler for the page and not applicable to this set up? 

 

https://www.flightstore.com.au/airband-vhf-airkit-fibreglass-antenna-118.00-to-136.00-mhz-for-lsa-microlight-aircraft

[BurnieM]

Are you referring to the antenna you linked to ?

 

If so then NO you do not need a ground plane as it is a dipole.

 

[danny_galaga]

Thanks, that's what I thought. My brain can be quite literal so when I see contradictory info, I have a SYNTAX ERROR 😄

[Arron25]

The short loaded stub inside acts as the "ground plane"

I have a MobileOne version.

Edited February 26 by Arron25

[440032]

I have that antenna, 20 years, no issues. (totally outside the aircraft).

[danny_galaga]

Job done! Is it better? Dunno 🤷‍♂️

 

But it's not worse 😄

 

Didn't get to fly due to the weather though. 

 

I'm going to install a capacitor next time. The regulator/rectifier I have isn't supposed to need one, but today I attached one using alligator clips and even though it wasn't an ideal location, near the starter instead of immediately after the regulator, it seemed to help when the engine was running.

 

Internally, the dowel is to steady the aerial as I attached it to the fabric covering. I think this will work well 🙂

 

[danny_galaga]

Flew it today with the capacitor soldered in. MUCH better. While I'd rather fix one thing at a time to solve a problem, at least it's fixed now. I've gone from a radio ranging from bad-ok, to ok-good 🙂

 

I have to adjust a few things though. The intercom is really loud, but if I just turn down the volume then the transmissions are quieter too. Pretty confident there is a setting to adjust the balance to make the intercom a little quieter than the radio. Remember digital watches in the 80s? How you had to hold this button, then tongue to the right, wait three seconds, click through an indecipherable menu and then somehow the time was set? This radio reminds me of that. I sucked at these PC LOAD LETTER situations back then, and I suck at them now. Stupid radio, adjust yourself! 😄

 

Anyway, I've brought the instruction book home and will peruse this evening 🙂

 

Language warning ☺️

 

 

 

Edited March 28 by danny_galaga

[skippydiesel]

Hi Danny-Galaga,

 

Use your headset volume control, rather than the intercom/radio, to moderate incoming volume.

I set my radio to a high volume & then adjust for personal preference on my headset😈

Edited March 28 by skippydiesel

[Kiwi]

18 hours ago, danny_galaga said:

 

The intercom is really loud, but if I just turn down the volume then the transmissions are quieter too.

What Radio do you have?

 

[danny_galaga]

7 hours ago, Kiwi said:

What Radio do you have?

 

MGL V6. It was free and people tell me it's worth every cent of that 😄

 

Skippy, I hadn't even thought of that! I'll see if that helps on the next flight 😇 

[BurnieM]

If the issue is the radio is medium volume and the internal intercom is loud then this is something you need to adjust in the radio.

 

https://www.mglavionics.co.za/v6.html

 

[danny_galaga]

2 minutes ago, BurnieM said:

If the issue is the radio is medium volume and the internal intercom is loud then this is something you need to adjust in the radio.

 

https://www.mglavionics.co.za/v6.html

 

Yes, that is my problem, and I have the manual but just winding down the volume on the passengers headset sounds a lot easier than trying to figure out how to do that 😄

 

Just didn't even occur to me to check that during the flight, until Skippy pointed out out ☺️