FLYCOM

ANTENNA FITTING  

These instructions are specifically for fitting the FLYCOM antenna, ANT127
The electrical information (12, 13, 14) and the warnings at the bottom of the page are applicable to all antennas

1. Mark the position of the hole for the antenna base on the centre line of the pod or fuselage as close to the front strut as is practicable.  Allow for screwing on the feeder cable under the pod.  Don't worry if your installation rakes the antenna forward so long as the antenna is more vertical than horizontal in flight.
2. Drill 12mm hole. (Measure twice and cut once!)
3. If fitting to a metal skinned fuselage the aluminium foil ground plane is unnecessary, so skip to item 6 and fit the large pointed washer with the points toward the metal.
4. If fitting to a wood or fibre-glass pod/fuselage ensure that the surface of the inside is clean and free from dust oil, grease or moisture.
5. Apply each of the four aluminium foil strips in turn in the form of a St. Andrew's Cross to the inside of the pod/fuselage.  NB. The points of the foil should meet closely at the hole but not overlap. Wrap the points of the foil up through and over the edge of the hole.
   WARNING!  The self-adhesive foil is very sticky.  Do not remove all the backing paper all at once or the foil will curl up and stick to itself and will become unusable.  When removing the backing paper, only remove 50-70mm (2"-3") at a time and peel it off progressively as you stick it down.
6. Remove the plastic dust cap (if fitted) from the antenna base.
7. Remove the nut, star washer and large (pointed) washer.
8. Insert the antenna base through the 12mm hole and ensure that the sealing ring is located properly.
9. Fit the large pointed washer with the points away from the foil.
10. Fit the star washer.
11. Fit the retaining nut and tighten with a spanner or wrench.
    Use common sense here. It is possible to crack fibre-glass if you over-tighten this nut.
12. Ensure there are good electrical contacts (continuity or zero resistance) between the outside (ground) screen of the BNC connector and each of the ground plane foil strips*. 
13. Ensure there is good electrical contact (continuity or zero resistance) between the centre pin of the BNC plug and the stainless-steel whip*.
14. Ensure there is no electrical contact (open circuit or infinite resistance) between the screen of the BNC and the centre pin*.
15. Fit the coax base connector to the base of the antenna base (hand tight is plenty)
16. Fit the BNC connector to your radio. (push, turn clockwise, release)
    
    *Check with a multi-meter set to measure resistance.

WARNING! 
Do not transmit with your radio until items 12, 13 and 14 have been carried out and the feeder cable is connected to the radio and the antenna is fitted to the antenna base.

  Transmitting without an antenna connected, or with an antenna grossly out of tune, or with poor continuity between the antenna base and the ground plane strips can damage the PA unit of the radio.
If you have chosen to have the antenna supplied over-size you will need to tune it

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