Wanted: Transponder antenna

"Jim Weir" wrote in message
...
Are you guessing on this, repeating an OWT, or do you have first hand hard
data?

Jim


As a licensed ham operator I have sufficient experience with frequencies
around 1200 MHz. Those don't like their antenna's shielded by wet or painted
surfaces. Transponders are just over 1000MHz, it's reasonably safe to assume
they are equally influenced. I'm not saying it will never work (fwiw, GSM at
900MHz works in-door), but I do want to caution people that there are many
variables involved that could make it not work.

Contrary to COM signals (118-136MHz) you can't use just any CB or VHF SWR
meter to check out if the antenna matches at these frequencies. With the
transponder sending out pulses of 200+ Watts I wouldn't want to gamble
having a bad SWR and seeing that power end up ruining the transponder stage.
Better be safe and put the $22 antenna where it belongs; Outside.

Rob