Fred,
Have mounted Garmin, Dynon, Grand Rapids GPS antennas inside the panel.
The postage stamp style (dynon/grt/aftermarket for handheld 496) work
best mounted to a hat shapped aluminum mount reduxed to the top inside
of the panel. I find the postage stamp type work best mounted to a
small thin metal bracket or signal reception degrades... Grounding of
the metal makes no difference.
Garmin IFR antennas are mounted under the top above the space between
the radio stack and instruments. No metal backing necessary. I use
fiberglass C sections on each side (actually just wrapped the Garmin
with glass with release tape to make it replaceable and used the
provided screw holes )...
Some Rules:
The antenna cannot be mounted under any metal, carbon fiber. Avoid
metalic paint (metal flake) on the panel.
If using fans in the top, obviously keep them to the sides of the
antenna.
Make sure you use good quality coax.
Mount the antenna solid so it doesn't vibrate.
If you install a marker beacon home made antenna in the panel, keep it
clear by about 6 inches as it swallows waves of its own.
I've put the GRT antenna 8 inches from the Garmin antenna and they both
work fine. The GRT hat section metal is a bit wider than the postage
stamp and the vertical part of the hat blocks the Garmin from direct
line of sight. They play nicely together.
Never had any problems with these simple rules.
Anytime you mount something to the top of the instrument panel it will
reflect on the windscreen. You shouldn't paint the Garmins or postage
stamp types. So the only help is to put a piece of black cloth over the
white antenna. Some of the postage stamps are a satin black and aren't
too bad but you sure do see it in the reflection of the panel top on the
screen.
If fans are installed, paint the fan flat black and cover with
fiberglass screens installed on the panel, painted to match the panel
color or flat black.
Panel top should be painted a dark color (dark brown, flat black, dark
gray) to keep light reflections on the windscreens to a minimum.
I paint my panels with SEM interior lacquer color paint, coat with their
flat clear but lacquer chips so... I use Polyurethane paint over the
SEM interior lacquer color paint with flatener added. Then letter the
panel. Then coat with another layer of flat clear. SEM makes a clear
hotrod flat paint that works well. Polyurethane holds up well to the
stuff we throw in the tray, or other stuff we flop on top of the panel.
The flat can be wiped clean without streaking and can be touched up
nicely if gouged. No reflection problems. Stay away from enamel and
lacquer flat finishes as they don't hold up to wear and tear and often
look funny after wiping the dust off with cleaner.
Now that I have the wife flying with me, military gray/ flat black is
out of my paint inventory. We have 12AY in nice tan (face) and browns
(panel) that are soothing and comfortable and match the leather and
fabrics in the cockpit giving a uniformity to the texture and feel.
(I've been watching too many decorating shows lately.) You get awards
for nice paint and stuff, but watch the reflections and wearability or
you'll never see traffic with the sun at 12 o'clock...
Regards,
Bud Yerly
----- Original Message -----
From: Fred Klein<mailto:fklein@orcasonline.com>
To: europa-list@matronics.com<mailto:europa-list@matronics.com>
Sent: Sunday, June 01, 2014 7:30 PM
Subject: Europa-List: SkyYiew antenna
<fklein@orcasonline.com<mailto:fklein@orcasonline.com>>
I=92ve been advised that a garmin instrument technician sez that it is
optimal to have the gps antenna a good distance (he said 18 inches) away
---From other gps antennas as well as the electronics and instruments.
Anyone flying w/ SkyView SV-250-GPS module installed?=85if so, I=92m
curious as to where you=92ve installed your SV-250 module, and if
performance is acceptable; if not, where are you planning to relocate
it=85?=85
thanx,
Fred
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avigator?Europa-List>
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