My yellow and blue bird is flying again with $1,200.00 worth of encouragement. The alternator was rebuilt and a broken wire leading to the voltage regulator was discovered and fixed.
Of course, that is the good news. The better news is that my magnetos needed some love and attention. The gold dust found there didn't make me richer, only the opposite. Both mags are now rebuilt but there is more news. The best news is that I still have radio problems. I did some touch- and-go's after exercising my check writing hand (boy did I get rusty... on the landings) and my radio reception was crap. It was garbled but readable. I can't describe it as static the way I did before the repairs. I flew in the pattern for three quarters of an hour and it didn't change. After I landed, I shut down and contacted ground control for a communications check. Reception was clear and she reported loud and clear from me. I fired the engine back up and listened. Again I got bad radio reception. I don't know if my radio transmission while in the pattern was bad, but I didn't get any complaints from the tower. They usually let you know if they are having trouble copying your radio. My thoughts are that there might be a loose antenna connection that is sensitive to the vibration of the engine. Or maybe there is a radio frequency filter somewhere that needs to be replaced. Does anyone have any ideas for me? Thanks. Frank Nelson N51DV - 415C TOA
