On Sun, 25 May 2008 17:57:22 -0700 (PDT), Brad
wrote:

My buddies tell me my handheld is too painfull to listen to anymore. I
would put in a panel mount, but since I have a mostly carbon aircraft,
where should I put the antenna? Too late to install it in the rudder,
or is there a solution that would allow me to install one in the
rudder??

I think the main issue with the handheld, is line-of-sight from the
antenna to who I am talking to, it works fine when the aircraft is
pointing towards them, or they are on the side of the glider the radio
is on, but as I turn (while thermalling) I am told the transmissions
cut out.

I've seen a few ships that had a small whip antenna mounted on the
gear door. With the gear down, of course, the antenna was horizontal,
and if mounted close to the hinge line, it was high enough not to get
ground damage on most fields.

But that won't work if you trailer your ship with the gear up...

rj