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Radio problem

Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2007 3:56 pm
by pierre
Sorry..but I do not know much of this. I do have an oldies Delcom Radio in my much newer BushBaby. Receiving is fine and clear. Sending close ( circuit range ) is not a problem. Any longer range seems to give me a weak signal. Recently a technician fix my intercom and claim that my Delcom transmitter amplifies only 1 watt. I see that the newer hand held radios transmit at 5 watt. The 200 do 7watt .

Q. Is there a transmitter amplifier available to improve my output?
or must I buy a new one.
Any idea........

Thanks

Pierre

1 watt is ample.

Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2007 4:59 pm
by John Young
Hi Pierre,

1 watt is ample for line of sight - 25 miles. !!!!

Regards
John ZU-CIB

Radio Output

Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2007 6:25 pm
by ZULU1
John is totally correct and we have (John and I) discussed this before, its in the air, line of sight and even 0,75 watts is quite adequate. The Icom ICA 4s are about 0,8 watts from the factory and perform perfectly. In short; John will advise the same as hes a radio ham..Dont touch it !!

Maybe play with the antenna but those radios worked well, just damned heavy !!

eish Zulu1

Radio

Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2007 9:35 pm
by pierre
Thanks
Will try to fiddle with the antenna or make a new one.
Q. How do i make one. I see they use a BNC connector.
What sort of antenna is the best ?

Thanks

pierre

Radio

Posted: Tue Dec 18, 2007 5:51 am
by John Young
pierre wrote:Q. How do i make one. I see they use a BNC connector.
What sort of antenna is the best ?
Hi Pierre,

Regarding what is “best” for our applications is not applicable – rather “What is suitable?” A quarter wave vertical works just fine. :idea:

You can obtain a new one for R 125 from Antronic in New Germany KZN – they will ship.

Alternatively the ‘V’ Rabbit is available from ZULU1 for R 695 + shipping. The mounting bracket was originally designed for a trike’s kingpost which makes the mounting on a BB challenging. :wink:

Antronic will cut the antenna to length (give them your main working frequency) – alternatively, use the antenna calculator posted here.

http://www.gregperkins.co.za/flying/dow ... ulator.xls

Further reading is available on the following thread –

viewtopic.php?t=1625&postdays=0&postord ... or&start=0

Regards & let us know. !!!!
John ZU-CIB

Posted: Tue Dec 18, 2007 12:00 pm
by Morph
I had a similar problem with a BNC connected antenna. I could hear absolutely perfectly, and at the airfield folks read me fine. Anything further than a couple of hundred meters no-one could hear me. Turned out that the centre pin in the BNC connector had snapped off and was not making contact. Replaced the antenna and viola, perfect transmission

Posted: Tue Dec 18, 2007 12:07 pm
by Tumbleweed
Had similar problems. Had someone replace all connections with better quality crimped fittings.