Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Bob Simmons on March 16, 2024 at 10:02pm

Bending a cable every time the rudder moves is asking for trouble. Is there some reason you don't want to mount it on the fuselage?

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Joe Hopwood on March 16, 2024 at 10:31pm

Just never seen one on a fuselage. Thinking if cable inline with hinge, there would be very little bending and small degree of twist would be over several inches. I did see someone mounted one under the rudder, but I have actually dragged the tail tie down a few times. I don’t have a VOR in my plane but the one my EAA chapter is building does. Thanks for your input and I will tell other builders about your concerns.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Bob Simmons on March 17, 2024 at 11:17am

I consider the vertical stab as part of the fuselage, as opposed to the rudder that moves. And that's your problem. Besides just the wear on the cables, the reception will change with every rudder deflection. A dual blade or towel bar gets better reception than a dipole, and presents better mounting options. But they're significantly more expensive. It would be a tradeoff either way. Bob Archer makes a wingtip antenna that's designed to mount inside the fiberglass fairings, and it reportedly works very well. Aircraft Spruce sells them, and they're much cheaper than blade or towel bar antennas.

• ▶ Reply