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Post by splischke on Nov 27, 2011 20:53:02 GMT -5
I have an icom A-23 with a rubber ducky antenna. The rubber ducky works okay but like most people, I want better if better is possible. I started looking for an alternative antenna that doesn't require a ground-plane that ordinary quarter-wave whips need. Has anyone tried The Miracle Air Whip ( miracleantenna.com/miracle-air-whip) or the homemade Wonder-Whip dipole ( www.xplorer.co.za/wonder-whip/index.html)? -Scott Addendum: Here's the Air Whip Manual: miracleantenna.com/images/stories/files/AirWhip.pdf. What I like, aside from no need for a ground-plane, is the ease of installation. The antenna can be duck-taped to the fabric behind the pilot seat in a semi-circle or double-S shape. It just needs to be 5" from metal. |
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dickf
New Member
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Post by dickf on Nov 28, 2011 0:16:14 GMT -5
I also have the miracle-Whip antenna, although I have not had a complete installation to test, yet. I have mounted two fittings, one behind the canopy and the other on top of the vertical stabilizer. I plan to string some strong, non-metallic cork (perhaps fish line) between the fittings and attach the antenna to the line, perhaps with shrink tubing. It will sort of look like a WWII fighter wire except it will not have the post behind the canopy. I should have this up and running in a couple of months and when I get some results I will post again.
Good luck.
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Post by splischke on Dec 20, 2011 21:25:39 GMT -5
The Miracle Air Whip antenna is a total dud -- at least the one I had. I followed the installation instructions to the letter but performance was extremely poor. In fact, I could not transmit 50 yards across the ramp to talk to the Unicom operator. Perhaps the antenna I had was faulty but I'm not taking the time to try another since the company that makes it doesn't answer phone calls or emails. The unit was returned to Aircraft Spruce today for a full refund. Waste of my time  -Scott |
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Post by n3480h on Dec 20, 2011 21:45:11 GMT -5
Sorry to hear that, Scott. Its hard when things don't work as advertised. Perhaps a small consolation: The pair of items we discussed recently are ready to ship. I will contact you for shipping information.
Tom
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Post by soneraifred on Dec 20, 2011 21:53:11 GMT -5
Hi Scott:
For what it's worth, I've used a Dorn & Margolin 45 degree broad band antenna (I believe it is similar to the DM C63-1/A or DM C63-2 shown in the Aircraft Spruce catalog) with my Icom A-21 for several years with really good results. I have an aluminum cover over the landing gear right behind the cowling, and the antenna is mounted on it. I had an additional bend put in the antenna tube so that it wouldn't hit the ground. I know that I don't have a full ground plane, and the antenna is mounted between the gear legs, but I've talked to people more than 50 miles away, and have been told that the radio sounds good. Not bad for only a watt and a half.
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Post by lqbanotxano on Dec 21, 2011 10:40:15 GMT -5
I have an Icom A22 with an antenna (DM C63-2) mounted in a similar way as Fred’s....on the aluminum belly pan. My aluminum belly pan extends from the firewall to the back of the back seat (pilot's seat) I often get reception from airports more than 50 miles away.
Ivan in Sugar Land, Texas
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Post by bobthebuilder on Jan 24, 2012 13:52:09 GMT -5
.... There is only one ... The V-Rabbit supplied by Air Magic. www.airmagic.co.zaI have one connected to a Vertex VXA220 hand held radio, and it performs excellently in both range and clarity. |
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Post by splischke on Jan 25, 2012 9:58:21 GMT -5
No technical information on their website regarding the V rabbit. It looks like two rubber ducky antennae mounted in a V pattern. Interesting. Since I started this thread, I purchased a RatTail Antenna Booster from Microsec Research & Development ( rattailantenna.com).  The RatTail is attached by velcro to the radio at a location where a red LED glows brightest. The makers of the RatTail claim phenomenal improvement in its boosting capability -- like 800% - 1600% of increase in transmitted energy which effectively increases a 5 watt handheld to 20 to 40 watt. The theory is that it transforms a vertical antenna to a 1/2 wave dipole. You can read more about it on the above mentioned web site. I researched the RatTail and found very little information about it on the web. The limited reviews ranged from "snake oil" to "it really works". Since it wasn't too costly -- about $30 USD -- I purchased one just to see for myself how well it works. I specified to Microsec Research & Development to build mine for a center freq. of 122.8 which is where I do 99% of my radio work. It took about 3 weeks for it to arrive. When I attached the RatTail to my icom handheld, something interesting happened when I pressed the transmit button. My PC screen flickered and the PC speakers hummed. The radio never did this until the RatTail was installed. The truth of course, is how well does it work in the thingypit (a bad word filter made up that word. I guess I'll call it rooster-pit  ). Unfortunately I had made just one short test flight with it but the Unicom operator said my signal was very strong. He later said my radio transmissions were better than other aircraft in the pattern. I wouldn't recommend you buy a RatTail yet. I need to do more testing before endorsing it. By the way, some of the HAM guys say you can simply attach a correct length of wire under to the BNC connector of the rubber ducky antenna and get the same effect as the RatTail. Perhaps this is true. -Scott |
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Post by juergen on Jan 26, 2012 13:35:42 GMT -5
Hi Scott, I think, the HAM guys are right. Your radio can produce 1W or 2W or anymore and this is the power for your sending stream. You can not produce 1000% more power without additional power, where shall this come from? from air? The only thing, you can do is to realize a antenna with more front direction, but is this the goal? perhaps? my 2 cents Juergen (the housefly in your avatar is cool, I have touched the display...  ) |
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Post by bobthebuilder on Jan 26, 2012 18:58:00 GMT -5
This is a real newbie question .... But here goes anyway ....
Can a dipole type antennae be mounted within the fuselage?
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Post by n3480h on Jan 27, 2012 0:00:09 GMT -5
A dipole could be mounted inside the fuselage, but the tube structure would severely reduce its effectiveness. Mounting an antenna outside the fuse works ok, but it adds to drag and reduces aircraft efficiency. This is the issue so many of us are trying to resolve. To further complicate the problem, antennae are most effective when mounted above a suitable groundplane - and there's little room for that on small aircraft.
A full wave antenna length at 122.8 MHz is 96.186" long, a half wave is 48.078", and a 1/4 wave is 24.039" long. The 1/4 wave seems most practical for a small plane, but an ideal mounting position does not exist for even a 1/4 wave, so we have to compromise.
Tom
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Post by juergen on Jan 27, 2012 3:49:58 GMT -5
the dipole inside the fuselage is not optimal, because there are the tubes and additional the aluminum paint to protect the covering for UV from sun. I had mount a 1/4 wave length inside my canopy and it works. I can connect the tower 5 min before and thats enough with best regards Juergen |
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Post by splischke on Feb 2, 2012 9:14:31 GMT -5
After several flights with numerous radio checks with the RatTail on and off the radio, I must conclude that it works. Other aircraft and ground operators reported stronger and clearer transmissions when I had the RatTail installed. I don't have a way to confirm the manufacturer's wild claims but the sucker works -- at least to a limited extent. But here's one problem. The dangling 24" or so wire must not touch the airframe.
This is not an endorsement of the RatTail. If it does not perform as well in your aircraft with your radio, I'll feel bad that you wasted $32.
-Scott
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Post by n3480h on Feb 2, 2012 19:59:49 GMT -5
Good news! Glad it worked, Scott. I'm going to try a section of thin aluminum under the top skin of my switch and radio panel, as a mini goundplane for the panel mounted A-24.
Tom
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). Unfortunately I had made just one short test flight with it but the Unicom operator said my signal was very strong. He later said my radio transmissions were better than other aircraft in the pattern.
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