Airport requires radio. Please suggest inexpensive radio and head set.

[Sparrow]

Although the VA Tech airport isn't a controlled facility, they require users to use the radio for letting traffic know the intention.  Please suggest radio options that are reliable, inexpensive and some head set options too, if you-all don't mind.  I don't want to spend a bundle of cash, I just want something simple that works.   Thanks in advance.  Oh, my latest, Frank is testing a new prop that he thinks will out perform the 58x20 & 22.  He is supposed to build my prop in September.  I hope he has a good test and I get the latest from him.  Scott is slated to build my 45HP engine in Oct. for delivery that month.  I have been ordering avionics and engine information devices.  I want to build a polycarbonate windshield like what Joe has made from 0.04".  I like the idea of having it fold over the top leading edge of the wing and protruding forward like Putt-Putt has.  I hope to be testing and flying in Dec or Jan .  John L. 

[Sam Buchanan]

Having a radio and knowing how to use it is a smart safety option and moves the UL pilot up several notches in the view of other pilots.

Here is the Yaesu VXA 220 radio on XL-58:



This radio has been superseded by the FTA-230:

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/avpages/yaesufta230.php?clickkey=5525

My radio is connected to a simple 1/4 wave whip that is clamped to the fuse cross member at station 2 similar to this one:

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/pages/av/antenna_com/av534.php

I say similar because mine is an el cheapo that ACS apparently doesn't stock any more. But you can easily build one similar to the one I made for the APRS tracker in the RV-6:

http://home.hiwaay.net/~sbuc/journal/tracker.htm

I use an inexpensive passive headset in the XL, here is one example:

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/avpages/skycomh40a.php

But poke around on eBay and you can find some real deals on headsets.

This system works very nicely, I can routinely hear traffic at an airport 90 miles away. But most importantly it lets me get out of the way of standard traffic in the pattern (and the business jets doing a straight in on the ILS approach!) and when other pilots hear me calling position it gives them confidence that the UL driver can be trusted.

[Sparrow]

Thank you Sam.  Your post will save me considerable time in my search.  I have been out of aviation for a considerable time and I need to get up on all the anachronisms again so I will begin to again understand what is going on.
Thank you for the considerable time you took to guide me.  I am off to the links to learn and decide.

John L.

[Sparrow]

Hi Sam,

I have looked over your build site and I haven't been able to locate a picture of exactly how you mounted your 1/4 wave whip antena.  Would you please snap a photo and post it.  Thank you.  John L.

[Sam Buchanan]

Hi Sam,

I have looked over your build site and I haven't been able to locate a picture of exactly how you mounted your 1/4 wave whip antena.  Would you please snap a photo and post it.  Thank you.  John L.

The mount will depend on what kind of antenna you use. Fabricate a bracket, gusset or clamp, etc, and make sure the coax braid is attached to aircraft ground and the inner conductor to the antenna element. The element is isolated from airframe ground.

[Sparrow]

Thank you Sam.

Have a great day.

[Steve]

John:

Les Homan had a 1/4 wave antenna mounted about fus sta 6 on the XL in a clever arrangement - he says his handheld reaches out 80 miles with it and no noise...

If you can't find photos of it ask Les to Post under an antenna reference... Plans for the antenna are in the Files section of the Yahoo Group site - do a browser search there on "antenna" to find quickly...

Steve

[Sparrow]

Thank you Steve.  I will head over to the Yahoo site now.

John L.

[leshoman]

Steve
attached is the PDF article i used to build the antenna. Works great with an ICOM handheld radio strapped to my leg and a head set.

[Sparrow]

Hi Les,

Thank you.  The PDF file is great.  It is certainly a step by step on how to implement and also a detailed instruction on just exactly why the various systems work and where the strengths are.

If you don't mind, please take a quick picture of your mounting on your LE and post for me to see.  The article talks about using RG-58 coaxial cable.  Do you think this would work equally well if using the RG-6 cable that is currently used in base satellite systems and new cable installations?

Thank you,

John L.

[Sparrow]

Hay Les,
I downloaded your video on takeoff and landing and I was able to grab a screen shot as you were in the turn to takeoff and saw your antenna setup.  I have the picture I need so ignore my previous request.  I do like your setup.

Have a great day,

John L.

[CHARLES DEBOER]

Here is one picture I took of the installation.

[Tom H]

I built the inverted V for our DE Stubby.  Mounted it behind the wing on a small extension.  It works well, but still have noise from the ignition system when receiving.  That is not the antenna's fault.  It transmits great, per reports from ground and other aircraft radios. Overall, it works great.

RG-58 is 50 ohm cable, RG-6 is 75 ohm, I believe, and probably will not work properly if used and built per antenna plans.

RG-58 is the old CB type of coax.  There are other 50 ohm coaxes used for aviation radios, but I don't know the numbers off hand.

[Steve]

Here is one picture I took of the installation.

Notice the secure-tie near the end of the downward arm of the antenna that keeps the arm from dislocating into the nearby fus tubes...

[Sparrow]

Charles, Thank you for the picture.  That helps a lot.

Tom,  Yep, I will use the RG-58.

Steve,  Nice catch on the tie support.  I will make sure I replicate.

Everyone, thank you.  This saves me tons of time.

John L.