Frank,
In our Ercoupe Tech Archives is an excellent primer on Diagnosing
Radio Problems (the title is close to that) that was written by
Robert Victor, the Radio Hero who correctly diagnosed (long
distance!) the problem with my radio installation, and ended 4
loooong months of many-changing radio headaches (see "My Radio Saga"
also in the Tech Archives). The essay is like a triage for radio
trouble. He goes into exactly which odd sound means what (which is
hard to do in writing, but his is better than anything I read). If
checking out the things that everyone has suggested doesn't locate/
fix the trouble, you can always ask me for contact info for Robert;
the man is a radio genius, and *likes* to think.
Good luck!
Linda
________________________________________________________________________
1a. Electrical and Radio Systems
Posted by: "fnelson913" [email protected] fnelson913
Date: Sat Jan 10, 2009 3:48 pm ((PST))
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
