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Re: [COUPERS-TECH] today'stestsRe:radiotransmittingproblemWhen I picked up the Aeronca Chief I now have, it had an Icom IC A20 connected to a rubber ducky antenna via coax. The antenna was suction cup attached to the rear window. The performance was about 5 miles or so, xmitting and receiving...and slightly garbled. I mounted an real antenna ourside on the wing root, hooked to that, and the Icom became as good as any panel mount I've ever used. roger ----- Original Message ----- From: Linda Abrams To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ; Ctech Sent: Tuesday, December 26, 2006 11:36 PM Subject: Re: [COUPERS-TECH] today'stestsRe:radiotransmittingproblem ----[Please read http://ercoupers.com/disclaimer.htm before following any advice in this forum.]---- Thanks, Ed. Any suggestions on how to find a friendly, local, "pet" HAM radio operator who likes solving problems in someone else's equipment? If the rubber ducky ICOM antenna should turn out to be bad, I don't think I'll even have to pay for another one; that nice ICOM Nat'l Sales Mgr. said it's still under warranty, so "send it in for a check up" if it doesn't perform. I will test it with a loaner "rubber ducky" as soon as I can find anyone who has one. For now, I have to make solving the built-in radio's problem the first priority. I appreciate all your advice on finding mechanics, and on learning about the machine. I heartily agree that "The more you know, the better off you are." No arguments from me: I LOVE learning! And I do like to watch when people work on my stuff. Over time, I'm sure I'll do that, much as you describe you did. My present problem is that what I set out to learn (actually, re-learn) is to FLY, and if I'm spending my time learning mechanics and electronics, I can't also be spending it on learning to fly! I have been struggling through so many equipment issues since I got the plane in September, that, at this point -- if I could just wave a wand & a reliable mechanic would make them ALL go away and I could just get back to flying in a week or two -- I'd cheerfully do that for now, and learn mechanics & electronics, later, at leisure. HAVING to be pre-occupied so much for months with slogging my way through problem-solving in all these subjects that aren't fun, rather cuts into the joy of the one that IS the fun: flying! So I sympathize when Kim Blackseth writes that -- without help -- there would be a strong temptation to sell in favor of a plane brand that is better supported. I like my little 'Coupe, I'm stubborn and diligent, and would like to go back to flying it enough that I'm still hanging in here and hope to get it over the hump of these "shake-down" cruise problems. Thank you all for your help in persevering. Linda From: "Ed Burkhead" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Reply-To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date: Tue, 26 Dec 2006 22:39:53 -0600 To: "'Linda Abrams'" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, "Ctech" <[email protected]> Subject: Re: [COUPERS-TECH] today'stestsRe:radiotransmittingproblem Linda, You should ABSOLUTELY have better signal with the tower under the circumstances you describe than ³your transmission is very weak². It should have sounded loud and clear to the tower at that range or even a much longer range. For the ICOM, my prime suspicion is the rubber ducky antenna. If it works fine with the aircraft antenna (or another borrowed antenna [in someone else¹s plane, maybe?], then the radio is fine and you can just replace the rubber ducky antenna cheap. Also, I¹ll agree with Al and Tommy it¹s good to find a HAM radio person one who plays with the equipment rather than one of those new ones who just get a license so they can use an amateur handheld. I¹ve known hams who would have had up fixed the first day with their knowledge and debugging skills. In hunting for a mechanic, I¹d urge you to look for someone who loves other old planes like a Cub or Luscome or Cessna 120 or 140 or any other old plane, preferably one with a Continental C-series engine or an O-200. Ideally, it¹d be someone who owns a vintage airplane because he loves them but just finding a person who loves them is enough. Most things are common from them to the Coupe. When I bought my Coupe, I knew very little about engines. My needs spurred my interest and made me read some. When the mechanic was working on the plane, I¹d hang around when I could. I¹d tell the mechanic that I knew I was slowing things down some with my presence and questions but I was happy to pay for his time as I needed to understand things to be a good and safe pilot. Mechanics have responded well to this and it hasn¹t cost all that much for the extra on-the-clock time for my on-site education. I¹m certainly no expert on engines or their parts, but I have learned a lot over the years and am much better off for it. Over the years, I¹ve changed out two or three instruments and contorted myself under the panel to debug problems a few times. But, while I still don¹t do much more than change the oil, fill the tires and wash the plane myself, I do know a lot more of what to watch for. Well, now I¹m puttering at building a kit-built ELSA but I¹m so timid it¹s not going fast. I¹ve learned to pop rivet and cut aluminum and a few other things and it¹s amazing the feeling of power that gives me. I even fixed metal problems on my popup camper on a lawn chair! And, I understand my car better, too. Basic slogan: The more you know, the better off you are. (And we all start off ignorant.) Ed Burkhead http://edburkhead.com <http://edburkhead.com/> ed -at- edburkhead???.com (change -at- to @ and remove "???") ============================================================================== To leave this forum go to: http://ercoupers.com/lists.htm ============================================================================== To leave this forum go to: http://ercoupers.com/lists.htm
