On Wed, 05 Feb 2020 14:29:32 +0000, Tim Newport-Peace wrote:

At 11:32 05 February 2020, Martin Gregorie wrote:
On Wed, 05 Feb 2020 10:21:13 +0000, Colin Roney wrote:

I admit I am a total dummy when it comes to glider electrics and
navigation installation stuff but I am very keen to try and correct
the situation. Does anyone have any ideas for suggested reading in
order to try and understand the subject.

Snip
The antenna has a Belling-Lee flying
connector to the built-in glider antenna cable.

I would argue very much against the use of Belling-Lee connectors. For a
start they are not Moisture-Proof and moisture between inner and outer
conductors gives ****-poor performance.

Use BNC (or TNC) antenna connectors assuming your cable is UR43 or
similar.
But whatever you use, it must provide an air-tight seal, connected or
not.

I realise having an inline Belling-Lee connector isn't ideal, the more so
as it only connects to a 50cm extension with a BNF plug on the radio end.

This setup was in the Libelle when I bought it, seems to work OK, and so
it has stayed there. The short extension is necessary because otherwise
the cable wouldn't reach the radio, let alone allow the panel to slide
out far enough to connect or disconnect it from the radio.

I've thought about replacing it, but the free end of the original cable
is in under the front coaming, too short to reach daylight. I'm not keen
on making a solder joint in there, which would probably be no better
electrically than leaving the Belling-Lee in place. Last but not least, I
don't fancy pulling and replacing the entire cable either.


--
Martin | martin at
Gregorie | gregorie dot org