Over Voltage to Radios and update on RF..

[ZULU1]

This week has been a bad week in the workshop for over voltage damaged radios and I thought that it is of use to update readers. I have had many PMs and phone calls of thanks for the tips. So lets pass on some more of my experiences..

As microlights and PPgs really are a "electronics unfriendly environment" namely moisture, vibration, sunshine (UV on cables) dust and so on the cables and connections to instruments and other toys come loose after time. The worms attached to them are generally OK but the connections (as in a harsh industrial environment) will create problems. This does result in "electrical noise" shorts; one phone call said "first smoke then flames"! and worse case voltage surges. Or even worse a fire..

Some good advice the next time its howling and you have some time take a good look at those electrical connections..

The Icom ICA3s (two) that we have had in, one is destroyed internally the other may survive. These could have been prevented with the installation of a simple regulator/filter arrangement which limits current and voltage as well as surge protection to the device.
Other intercom manufacturers have some electrical protection installed but in most cases its insufficient.

The perfect "fix" is a stand alone 12 volt battery or some protection circuitry. So if you are running from the planes supply take a good look at your installation.

We can supply or provide drawings to self build.

Interesting that when Icom developed the ICA6/24 series they require 11 volts to transmit out..maybe they had method in this "quirk" or they just fluked it !! Not possible with that input voltage to destroy them.

Reports of RF from GPS devices

We have sold more than 50 of our Vee Rabbit King Post antennas, in all cases they have fixed the rf ingress from the GPS units and Skydats, generally cleaning up the transmissions.
Without this forum we would not have even been aware of the problem and never actually developed the product. This forum is working !!

Now we are producing them for the Cheetahs and other fixed wing Microlights.



Zulu1

[Harlequin]

Mr. Zulu.
I posted pics of the much talked about bunnies on Gert's post, DVE, on Hanger Talk.
Had a look yet ??

Graham.

[Slow_Poke]

Hiya Graham, thamks and they look good and with a pod out of the way.

Glad you are happy.

Jabula zulu1