I am trying to get an ELT installed legally and the antenna requires a ground plane. The ELT mounting location is behind the rear seat. There are two options that will work for creating a ground plane:
Option 1) Use a 24" diameter metal disc centered on the base as a ground plane. I was going down this road but the disc will require a bunch of bending to make sure it doesn't interfere with control cables and fits. Am not sure if it is even feasible.
Option 2) A grounding cable can be connected to base of antenna and the airframe tubing.
Grounding the antenna to a tube seems much simpler. But I have a few questions I hope some members can provide insight on.
The tube needs to be taken down to bare metal to get a good contact with grounding wire.
a) What is best way to remove a small stretch of paint on a tube? I am thinking of using a stripping chemical but worry about any dripping onto fabric below despite my best effort to avoid this happening.
b) Should I be worried about corrosion moving forward? What is the best way to eliminate the possibility? Repaint the tube and ground connection?
Thanks!
Option 1) Use a 24" diameter metal disc centered on the base as a ground plane. I was going down this road but the disc will require a bunch of bending to make sure it doesn't interfere with control cables and fits. Am not sure if it is even feasible.
Option 2) A grounding cable can be connected to base of antenna and the airframe tubing.
Grounding the antenna to a tube seems much simpler. But I have a few questions I hope some members can provide insight on.
The tube needs to be taken down to bare metal to get a good contact with grounding wire.
a) What is best way to remove a small stretch of paint on a tube? I am thinking of using a stripping chemical but worry about any dripping onto fabric below despite my best effort to avoid this happening.
b) Should I be worried about corrosion moving forward? What is the best way to eliminate the possibility? Repaint the tube and ground connection?
Thanks!
