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Dave's RV-7A Builder's Log
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Date: 2-6-2016
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Number of Hours: 4.50
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Manual Reference:
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Brief Description: Garmin GPS antenna mounting
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Today was a day to tackle something that had been on my “to do” list for awhile. Until all of the hardware components are installed firewall forward, it isn’t really possible to finalize wire runs, so I have been checking things off slowly but surely. In this case, the item was the G3X GPS antenna. Each display unit has an independent VFR-only antenna that can be mounted in a number of different places. I chose a fairly common location that is used for these antennas (antennae?)—under the composite cowling in the aft part of the engine compartment. As these are VFR only, the exact placement is less critical than the IFR certified GNS antenna (which will go on the exterior of the aircraft, aft of the cabin area). There are a couple of downsides to installing them here, mainly due to heat and the possibility of signal masking due to structural interference, but the positives outweigh the negatives from what I can tell.
In order to install each antenna, I needed a fairly solid base. Due to the fact that I got a new panel when I ordered my avionics from Steinair, I had exactly what I needed…I cannibalized the old panel to cut out two antenna bases. From there, I started the process of fitting, trimming, cutting & drilling to get the proper size and configuration. Two nut plates on the firewall, and an Adel clamp with a custom designed bracket for the attach point on the engine mount, and the right side was ready for installation.
Ok, so it was a little more involved than that, but the pictures show the result. If I have time tomorrow, I’ll fabricate the left side and hopefully be done with all of the major firewall forward hardware installation. Hopefully.
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Inital fitting of righthand tray
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Cut, drilled and ready for priming
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Temporarily installed with antenna
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