com antena mount

[jgerard]

So if I mount my bent whip com antenna on the flashing between the windshield and skylight, and ground the antenna to the fuselage does that mean I don't need a ground plane (sheet of metal) ??? or does there need to be some type of ground plane in a perpendicular location to the antenna? What about mounting the antenna on a sheet of metal and sticking it back inside the tail somewhere?

I'm sure this subject has been beat to death and I know I have seen some discussion about this stuff somewhere but as usual I can never find the info on the web when I really need it.

Technically speaking what is a "ground plane" and how does it affect an antenna's operation.

Jason
N43643

[jgerard]

I found the previous thread about com antenna mounts, BUT I still am a little confused about this whole ground plane thing? Does it have something to do with eliminating static?

Jason
N43643

[lktiller]

Discussions on a antenna Ground Plane can get very technical. Just take it that the antennas we use need it to be efficient.
Sheet metal like the boot cowl or the wing root fairing will work fine. Just be sure the coax shield wire is electrically connected to the sheet metal at the antenna base.
Ideally, there needs to be a complete electrical path thru the sheet metal and/or tubing to the battery ground connection. Reduces static noise.