"Mike the Strike" wrote in message
ups.com...
Oops. I mixed up two replies. My transponder antenna is the current
problem. My ELT antenna is a rubber duckie mounted at the rear of the
canopy rail. Probably the quickest and cheapest solution.


Oh, okay. Transponder antenna it is, then.

I know that some have mounted their transponder antenna up forward of, or on
the glareshield. I'm not comfortable with this due to RF exposure concerns.
Also, since it is arguably more important to give ATC a good view of your
antenna, the bottom of the aircraft is the optimal location.

If the ship fuselage is glass, an aluminum plate, for a ground plane and
mount can be installed within the fuselage. DG shows examples of this on
their website. However, if the ship is carbon, then the antenna will
probably have to go on the outside. My ASH26E has it just aft of the left
gear door. It's the little stub monopole antenna (costs 35 to 45 bucks US)
you see everywhere. Mounted on carbon, it needs no additional ground plane,
but if one desired, some copper or aluminum foil or sheet could be placed
inside.

This location, while not immune from trailer hits, is relatively easy to
avoid, at least on the 26E. In the case of a gear-up, which isn't on my
remaining short list of things to do, unlike a blade, it won't try to
protect itself by destroying a chunk of fuselage.

all the best,

bumper