|
|
|
|
Dave's RV-7A Builder's Log
|
Date: 2-13-2016
|
Number of Hours: 2.00
|
Manual Reference:
|
Brief Description: VHF antenna installation
|
|
Today was a short session devoted to figuring out the best way to fabricate and attach doublers to facilitate VHF comm antenna installation. The comm antennas are “bent whip” style antennas that install on the bottom of the aircraft. To avoid interference issues between the radios, the antennas need to be installed “at least 36” apart, and preferably more if possible”. On an RV-7, the options are somewhat limited—especially when considering there are additional antennas for the ADS-B and transponder that will also be installed on the underside of the aircraft.
With this, I decided to install the comm antennas below the outboard under-seat bays, 10” aft of the spar. This location avoids interference with the aileron push rods, allows for doubler attachment to a rib for stability, and also provides the necessary spacing. The skin in that location is actually quite thin—I assume about .025—so my .032 sheet would provide the necessary additional strength required. I initially experimented with a couple of more complicated designs, all of which required drilling out about eight previously installed fuselage rivets, but in the end I decided to go with a simple tray incorporating vertical flanges for rigidity.
By the end of the session, I had fabricated the first tray and then started thinking about the process for drilling, dimpling & riveting…without a second set of hands, that was going to be a bit of a challenge.
|
|
Doubler for right comm antenna
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Copyright © 2001-2024 Matronics. All Rights Reserved.
|
