> >The signal has to be sent back down to earth so the ground plane is
> >uppermost and the ball end pointing down.
> >
> >Tony
>
> The same logic applies to the COMM antenna, yes?
>
> Graham
>
Not really, though pointing up isn't quite as good, but long antennas
on the bottom have other compromising issues on small aircraft. 1/4
wave whip antennas are a practical necessity where size matters in
mobile installations on metal structures. At fringe reception
distances from ground stations, at altitudes we often fly, the angle
---From it is only a few degrees from horizontal. As such, the inherent
gain in the 1/4 waver isn't being utilized anyway, making the dipole
the most efficient, because the signal is strongest near the
horizontal.
Best,
Fred F.
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