weir's VHF dipole antenna kit (fm version)

[kl...@geocities.com]

part two of:

i recently received jim's sort-a-kit(tm) for a VHF dipole antenna.
nifty item. (see http://www.rst-engr.com/)

so, i built the antenna centered in the comm band; and since
it was so easy, i figured i should oblige the spouse with one
for the FM receiver.

however, upon reviewing an old aero'lectrics column about
installing FM antennas in our birds, an FM antenna is supposed
to be oriented horizontally. from this i reasoned(?) that the
`inline' dipole isn't the way to go for mounting reasons, and
i should revert to the time-standard dipole with a balun.

however, this approach (a t-shaped or y-shaped thing) doesn't
appear to be as easy to make rigid or hermetically seal as
the magic `inline' dipole design. any suggestions or other
priceless pearls of wisdom?

thanks,
--
bil

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[Jim Weir]

kl...@geocities.com
shared these priceless pearls of wisdom:

->
->however, upon reviewing an old aero'lectrics column about
->installing FM antennas in our birds, an FM antenna is supposed
->to be oriented horizontally. from this i reasoned(?) that the
->`inline' dipole isn't the way to go for mounting reasons, and
->i should revert to the time-standard dipole with a balun.

Jesus Murphy. You are at several thousand feet trying to receive a half
megawatt FM station at fifty miles. You could do it with a damp strand of
spaghetti in a copper cesspool.

An airplane is a conglomeration of compromises flying in loose formation.
Build one. Try it. If it doesn't meet your expectations, try something
else.

BTW, look at 95% of the automobiles on the road going down the boulevard
listening to FM radio on a vertical whip. Is horizontal best? Yes. Will
vertical work? Yes. Might there be problems? Yes. Is the nav antenna
still horizontal in a 60d bank? Yes. Does the VOR still work? Yes.

Jim
Jim Weir (A&P, CFI, and other good alphabet soup)
VP Eng RST Pres. Cyberchapter EAA Tech. Counselor
http://www.rst-engr.com j...@rst-engr.com

[Bill Hale]

: BTW, look at 95% of the automobiles on the road going down the boulevard

: listening to FM radio on a vertical whip. Is horizontal best? Yes. Will
: vertical work? Yes. Might there be problems? Yes. Is the nav antenna
: still horizontal in a 60d bank? Yes. Does the VOR still work? Yes.

I believe the FM stations these days are circularly polarized.
All those cars driving around tends to support the idea.

So either would work fine.

Bill Hale

: Jim