Vee Rabbit antennas with certain radios
Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2008 5:37 pm
Good Day all.
I thought that I would post this update:
This information sheet does not apply to Icom ICA3,22,4,5,23, 6 or 24 radios.
The Air Magic Vee Rabbit antenna was designed and developed for extreme performance as well as to reduce the rf ingress from certain GPS and digital instruments. This it does well and sales of almost 400 units with happy customers in the first year have proven this.
In our instruction booklet we advise that the antenna is not suited for training aircraft due the high power levels that it gives out. I strongly advise that training aircraft do not use them unless on a cross country or similar.
Vertex Standard VXA710,220,300,Icom ICA200, Microair 760 and Xcom760
Our Australian colleagues were the first to point out the fact (as they used Vertex radios before us) that they actually swamp very close radios causing distortion. This I did not notice as I used a ICA4 and a detuned ICA6 to 0,5 watts when testing them.
What happens and some owners may have noticed this as well is that when flying in close formation they cannot hear the transmitting aircraft, a high level of distortion, this also bleeds over to other frequencies. However it will be clearly heard over 200 kms away !!.
This has worried me somewhat and after a lengthy debate with Hein and Deon (African Pilot fame). The answer lies in the question !! We studied the VXA710 booklet and yes you can do software mods but then when you fly distances you need the power. So quite simple for the Vertex range, we have supplied most with seperate adjustable power supplies so just turn the supply voltage down to about 6 volts and you get a 0,7 watt transmission. Perfect, then when you wish to "broadcast" just remove the power plug from the radio. The only thing is you will need to charge the radio when you get home/destination.
The Microairs and Xcoms which are common in Australia we advise to turn down.
Gaylord Fokker had major problems with his ICA200 at 7 watts, since this has been reduced to 2 watts also problem solved.
Its like gardening with a D9 Cat !!
An alternative is to use the original 1/4wave whip and use for local flights but this does not help with rf ingress from GPS toys and the like and is not a perfect fix.
I do not wish to upset the design integrity of the Vee rabbit as this will defeat the object of the excercise.
Should anyone require further information please feel free to contact me.
Fly safe
Zulu1
I thought that I would post this update:
This information sheet does not apply to Icom ICA3,22,4,5,23, 6 or 24 radios.
The Air Magic Vee Rabbit antenna was designed and developed for extreme performance as well as to reduce the rf ingress from certain GPS and digital instruments. This it does well and sales of almost 400 units with happy customers in the first year have proven this.
In our instruction booklet we advise that the antenna is not suited for training aircraft due the high power levels that it gives out. I strongly advise that training aircraft do not use them unless on a cross country or similar.
Vertex Standard VXA710,220,300,Icom ICA200, Microair 760 and Xcom760
Our Australian colleagues were the first to point out the fact (as they used Vertex radios before us) that they actually swamp very close radios causing distortion. This I did not notice as I used a ICA4 and a detuned ICA6 to 0,5 watts when testing them.
What happens and some owners may have noticed this as well is that when flying in close formation they cannot hear the transmitting aircraft, a high level of distortion, this also bleeds over to other frequencies. However it will be clearly heard over 200 kms away !!.
This has worried me somewhat and after a lengthy debate with Hein and Deon (African Pilot fame). The answer lies in the question !! We studied the VXA710 booklet and yes you can do software mods but then when you fly distances you need the power. So quite simple for the Vertex range, we have supplied most with seperate adjustable power supplies so just turn the supply voltage down to about 6 volts and you get a 0,7 watt transmission. Perfect, then when you wish to "broadcast" just remove the power plug from the radio. The only thing is you will need to charge the radio when you get home/destination.
The Microairs and Xcoms which are common in Australia we advise to turn down.
Gaylord Fokker had major problems with his ICA200 at 7 watts, since this has been reduced to 2 watts also problem solved.
Its like gardening with a D9 Cat !!
An alternative is to use the original 1/4wave whip and use for local flights but this does not help with rf ingress from GPS toys and the like and is not a perfect fix.
I do not wish to upset the design integrity of the Vee rabbit as this will defeat the object of the excercise.
Should anyone require further information please feel free to contact me.
Fly safe
Zulu1