Handheld VHF External Antenna Recommendation

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jcurry

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Jcurry
Hello,
I have a Van's RV12 ULS with a single Garmin SL40 for comms. I will be buying a handheld soon to use as a backup.
1. Does anyone make a coax splitter where I can use the primary antenna for the handheld as well?
2. If you have an external antenna for your handheld, what model is it and where do you have it mounted?
3. Any ideas welcome.

Thank you,
Jack
 
asicer said:
Like this?
www.aircraftspruce.com

Icarus EXTenna Switch | 1.75 Inch x 1.30 Inch | Aircraft Spruce ®

Icarus EXTenna Switch | 1.75 Inch x 1.30 Inch The EXTenna Switch from Icarus Instruments allows handheld radios quick access to an existing external comm antenna for extended range while inside the cockpit.
www.aircraftspruce.com www.aircraftspruce.com
Click to expand...
Exactly. I ordered it a few minutes ago before I saw your post. Aircraft Spruce had zero stock but Sporty's has it in stock.
Thanks for the reply!
 
My old avionics guy just put a connector in the comm antenna line. I can reach up under the panel, unhook it from the wire going to the radios and connect it to the hand held.
 
The one mentioned or this one is what you want:

Antenna Switchbox (IC-ANT-SB)

This antenna switchbox allows the operation of one external antenna for both handheld and panel mounted transceivers.
www.tagpilotsupply.com
 
Just remember that even a good set of connectors can add 1dB of loss at VHF frequencies. And your loss of comms could be caused by a coax/antenna failure as well.

Installing a second antena (maybe on a inspection hole cover, if you want to minimize airframe work) sounds like a better idea.
 
I am loathe to split the hardwired antenna cable either by a splitter or a connector - just another potential failure point and definite insertion loss point. For my handheld, I use a suction cup mounted antenna that I stick on the cockpit window, and a headset adapter with a PTT. I've tried it out, and at moderate distances (10-15 NM), I can't discern any difference in receive quality, and transmit quality seems good as well.
 
I'm not a science guy, but I do know I had to mount my radio antenna on a metal ground plane to have decent transmit performance.
 
I had a panel mounted plug in adapter in my plane when I bought it. But once I started looking into how it worked and how it was manufactured, I had it disconnected the first time he plane was in for some avionics work. Most of them are pretty basic and can easily oxidize or even corrode over time. This is bad news for your primary radios reception and transmission. You really don't want any extra "connections" between your radio and the antenna.

And there are probably very few places in the US now that you won't have another plane in range on 121.5 for any of the handhelds out there. So even if ATC can't hear you, some other plane probably will. And if they don't immediately, give it a few minutes and try again. If you're going into an Airport, they may not hear you as far out as usual, but they sure will before you actually get to the pattern. And again, if you hear them talking to someone near your location as you heading in, just ask the to relay you're on a HandHeld inbound.
 
Don’t have the logs handy,my mechanic installed an antenna on the belly of the airplane ,not sure I’d trust a splitter.
 
Hello,
I would like to thank everyone for your replies. You have spoken and I'm listening. I will be returning my splitter that hasn't even arrived yet back to Sporty's. Instead, I will install a 2nd antenna dedicated to the handheld and not break into the primary radio coax run. I like the idea better anway of having 2 separate comm systems.

Thanks again,
Jack
 
jcurry said:
I will be returning my splitter that hasn't even arrived yet back to Sporty's. Instead, I will install a 2nd antenna dedicated to the handheld and not break into the primary radio coax run. I like the idea better anway of having 2 separate comm systems.
Click to expand...
Probably also better for any future owners that decide they'd rather have 2 COMs in the panel.
 
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