ARTEX AIRCRAFT SUPPLIES ME406, Description, Operation, Installation And Maintenance Manual, Page: 23 / 68

ARTEX AIRCRAFT SUPPLIES, INC. 570-1600
2.4.1
‘Whip’ Antenna – P/N 110-773
See Figure 21. Refer to AC 43.13 for guidance. It is the responsibility of the installer to
determine the appropriate and adequate antenna installation.
To ensure adequate support for associated air loading during flight, use of a backing plate or
doubler (not supplied) may be required.
2.4.1.1
Type of Aircraft
The Whip Antenna (P/N 110-773) is designed for installation on fixed wing subsonic aircraft and
is rated for a maximum airspeed of 200 KIAS (Knots Indicated Airspeed at Sea Level).
NOTE: Artex does not recommend the use of the Whip Antenna for helicopter
installations.
2.4.1.2
Location
The antenna must be mounted on the top of the aircraft to assure maximum ‘visibility’ of
satellites (406 MHz). The best location is the upper aft portion of the fuselage. It should be
mounted vertically and away from projections such as a propeller, tail surfaces, or the shadow
of larger antennas.
2.4.1.3
Preparation
1. Prepare the surface for antenna installations in such a manner to ensure a ground
contact of less than 0.003
Ω . If bare metal surfaces are needed for surface preparation
they should be treated with Alodine
®
1200 (or similar compound) to eliminate aluminum
oxidation.
2. Drill 0.562” (14.3 mm) hole in aircraft skin.
2.4.1.4
Installation
1) Metal adapter plates should be used if the curvature or compound radius of the
aircraft skin is such that antennas cannot be directly installed vertically with their
plates mounted flat to the aircraft outer surface.
2) Backing plates or doublers should be installed to ensure adequate support for
associated air loading during flight. Refer to AC 43.13 for complete information.
3) Remove the ½-28 hex nut and external tooth lock washer from the base of the
antenna.
4) Insert antenna connector through mounting hole, make sure the “O” ring remains in
the base of the antenna connector flange groove and that the connector has sufficient
clearance through the aircraft skin.
5) Place the lock washer and the hex nut on the inside of the aircraft and sandwich the
aircraft skin between the base of the antenna and lock washer followed by the hex
nut. Tighten the hex nut to between 25 to 30 inch lbs (280 to 340 Newton-cm).
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