Technical data

VHF/AM RADIO FSG 2T

3 Installation

June 2014 FAV_D10048 25

3.4.3 Antenna installation

Your radio FSG 2T is only as good as the antenna!

For operation, a vertical polarized 50 Ohm broadband aircraft COM antenna is required.

The antenna must be able to radiate RF energy evenly and omni-directional:

 First of all, look up the aircraft's manual for antenna installation instructions.

 The antenna installation location must be carefully planned. It would be the best to

consult the Aircraft Certifying Inspector. In order to achieve best results into all

directions, installation instructions must be fully complied with.

 For aircraft with metal fuselage, we recommend a rod antenna. This antenna is

mounted vertically (as possible) on or under the fuselage. Location should be even

away from horizontally screening metal parts like propeller, undercarriage, vertical

metal fins etc., for maximum radio range into all (horizontal) directions.

 Distance to other aircraft antennas, like another COM or NAV antenna, should be at

least 1.5 m / 5 feet. When using two radios FSG 2T, a distance of 1 m / 3.3 feet

between COM antennas is sufficient.

 The antenna mounting area should be as flat as possible.

 The metallic contact between aircraft surface / structure and the antenna cable outer

conductor (shield) must be durable and robust. The electrical contact shall remain

continuously good and safe against vibration and corrosion.

 For wood and fiberglass (GRP) aircraft, 3 or 4 aluminum counter weight strips (ea.

60 cm / 2 feet long - 5 cm / 2 inches wide) are recommended, but shall be placed

(mostly) horizontally in the shape of a star.

 These stellate counter weights must be centrally screwed together with the antenna

socket. Care for a permanent good electrical contact.

 Alternatively, for aircraft with non-metallic surface structure inside the fuselage, a

metal foil (min. 60 x 60 cm / 2 x 2 feet) can be stuck in. The antenna socket will then

be placed in the foil center, together with a metallic ground contact support plate.

Consult aircraft manufacturer's instructions to verify proper antenna location.

 For aircraft with fuselage and / or tail-fin made of non-conductive material, a vertical

folded top antenna is suitable. Installation is made preferably during manufacturing

the tail-fin. IMPORTANT: Carbon fiber is conducting and may shield the antenna!

 Careful sealing of all openings of the outer skin is mandatory. Make sure, that

electrical contacts remain permanent good, even under bad environmental conditions.

 Use only high quality 50-Ω coax cable type RG-58 C/U. Avoid any sharp cable bend

(radius > 50 mm), mounting pressure, strain, and any excessive coax cable length.

 Place all wiring including antenna cable distant to other wiring which carries heavy AC

currents, and distant to any aircraft controls.

 Any operating kinematics, trimming and all control handles must be absolutely free in

all directions.