On Thursday, February 11, 2021 at 11:43:16 AM UTC-5, Eric Greenwell wrote:
wrote on 2/11/2021 6:49 AM:
Still thinking inside the box. There is no reason why the TX unit needs to be in the cockpit. It could easily be mounted in the fin with a remote head in the cockpit.

You'd avoid a long RF cable, but would have run 12VDC power and the communication cable to it,
plus provide the access to remove it for repairs. I think mounting the box behind the gear
well, and running 15' of coax to it is easier and work just as well. 15' is not far with good
quality coax.
--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA (change ".netto" to ".us" to email me)
- "A Guide to Self-Launching Sailplane Operation"
https://sites.google.com/site/motorg...ad-the-guide-1

These comments appear to be by people that have never had to work in the the rear of a fuselage or in the fin.
Mounting a thin antenna, without the little ball as far back as can be reached from the front area is a practical trade off. Slightly behind the gear and up the side a bit helps access and lets the gear doors protect the antenna. A simple wrapped fairing would be a clever small improvement. This far back the boundary layer is pretty thick so drag is likely minimal.
As far as drag reduction, sealing the canopy well would yield a far greater return on time invested.
BTDT
UH