N659HB
En-Route
I have an iCom handheld I'd like to use (sometime). For plane without an external VHF antenna, are these flexible windshield "antennas" a reasonable equivalent?
I have an iCom handheld I'd like to use (sometime). For plane without an external VHF antenna, are these flexible windshield "antennas" a reasonable equivalent?
Haven't had the chance to try it out yet. I think the rubber ducky is ok for short-range transmissions, but I'm interested in monitoring from 15-20 miles out. This will be a primary radio.
Then you will need something more than the "rubber ducky" which came with your handheld. I'm not sure what a "flexible windshield antenna" is, so I have no idea how effective it is. However, the standard antenna that comes with your handheld has an antenna gain of zero or less, while a typical external comm antenna has a gain of about 30 db.Haven't had the chance to try it out yet. I think the rubber ducky is ok for short-range transmissions, but I'm interested in monitoring from 15-20 miles out. This will be a primary radio.
Then you will need something more than the "rubber ducky" which came with your handheld. I'm not sure what a "flexible windshield antenna" is, so I have no idea how effective it is. However, the standard antenna that comes with your handheld has an antenna gain of zero or less, while a typical external comm antenna has a gain of about 30 db.
However, the biggest thing you get from an external antenna is removing electrical barrier of the aluminum skin of the plane from between your antenna and the one on the ground. A windshield-mounted antenna may do that in some directions, but may not in others. For effective omnidirectional comm capability, you really do want a proper external comm antenna.
Then you will need something more than the "rubber ducky" which came with your handheld. I'm not sure what a "flexible windshield antenna" is, so I have no idea how effective it is. However, the standard antenna that comes with your handheld has an antenna gain of zero or less, while a typical external comm antenna has a gain of about 30 db.
However, the biggest thing you get from an external antenna is removing electrical barrier of the aluminum skin of the plane from between your antenna and the one on the ground. A windshield-mounted antenna may do that in some directions, but may not in others. For effective omnidirectional comm capability, you really do want a proper external comm antenna.
Better than in a metal plane? Probably. As well as a proper external comm antenna? Nowhere near. OK?So, in a composite plane the rubber duck may work ok?