Thread: Airborne DF
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Old February 7th 06, 06:37 PM posted to rec.aviation.homebuilt
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Default Airborne DF

Thanks Colin,

I like the Picco Doppler Mini Antenna of the system John sent info on. I
could bury it in the wooden wing with dual band rubber duck antennas. The
problem is that once it is in, access would be difficult to accomplish. I
will be covering the wing during the summer. I gusee I could try it out
before then. Thanks for the input.

Charlie

"COLIN LAMB" wrote in message
nk.net...
Doppler sometimes does not work well if there are reflections - but the
aircraft has an advantage over ground vehicles so it could have a better
success rate. Because the signal is line of sight, you can reduce the
length of the antenna and still have an adequate signal, although you will
have a reduced range. Rubber ducks can be used, although flexing can
affect directivity.

Another option is to install a number of directional antennas and switch
between them. The aircraft has an advantage in that it can be rotated
fairly easily. With a good signal indicator, you could home in on the
hunted signal. I have one of the Ramsay Dopplers and normally use it on
the ground for Search and Rescue. We search in rugged terrain and I have
not found it as useful as a directional antenna.

Years ago a friend of mine built a Doppler to use in a hidden transmitter
hunt. Soon after the start, he realized it was not working, but he had
left all of his other direction finding gear at home. He got his handy
talkie with rubber duck out and drove around finding the strongest signal.
He would drive behind buildings to determine directivity - since the
building would make the signal weakest if it was directly in the path. He
was first to arrive at the hidden transmitter, proving that it is the
operator rather than the equipment that is key in direction finding.

Colin