ETLB Squawk Forums — Archive

Who has had luck using a radio in your MiniMax.  I get entirely too much interference for it to be useable.  I have a 447 and have shielded my spark plug wires.

I had so much noise from the electronic ignition that the only way I could use the radio was by shutting the engine down to idle while transmitting or receiving. Certainly helped to make my radio calls short & concise!

Are you powering the radio from the alternator or radio battery?

I have been using a handheld with an external antenna mounted behind me on the fuselage.  I would spend the money on a REAL radio if I thought it would work and power it with a battery.  My 447 is just a pull start.
I've shielded my plug wires, used resister plugs and use a headset to cut out the noise, but nothing works.  I live in an airpark where there is a lot of activity and flying and a radio would sure be safer.  
If any of you guys have had luck with a radio, please let me know your full setup and what you have done to stop the static.  Thanks!

I don't know anything about radios but a friend had a lot of static in his Kitfox. Finally had a chance to talk with him today and he said his problem finally came down to the PTT wire. He switched to a twisted and shielded wire going to his PTT button and it cured the problem. Your issue might be completely different but thought I'd pass along what he found as his source of static.

Lynn

I'm using an ICOM A25C with a dipole antenna from Advanced Aircraft Electronics in Albuquerque NM.  The antenna is mounted almost vertically behind my seat and provides a good strong signal.  My radio checks come back as "loud and clear".  I'm hard of hearing and need more volume on my reception (no windows in my plane), so I have ordered parts for a DIY Impedance Adapter to change my David Clark headset speakers to 8 ohms from 300 ohms.  Satisfactory now, but I'm hoping I can improve reception volume with the Impedance widget.  You can buy the widget ready made for $73 at QHAviation.com.  He is building some now to be ready next week.

Another option is a small panel mounted comms radio from Becker, Dittel, MGL, Microair, etc