I have an ICOM A6 that I use as a primary radio in my plane. It's powered by a 12V battery replacer and is wired into a portable intercom along with a PTT switch. The previous owner used the same type of radio and had rigged the plane with an external antennae. It looks like just a standard CB antennae - long thin wire with a little ball on the end. It's 23" long and has been bent at about a 45 degree angle. It seemed to work fine for him.
For me though, any time I key the mic to speak, it squeals like feedback through a sound system. I adjusted the volume thinking that was the problem but it had no effect. I made sure all the radio cables were routed away from power cables as this was a problem in my other plane but that didn't work either.
Eventually I discovered that if I touch the tip of the antennae, the squealing stops. I can slide my finger down the antennae about 4" and then the squealing returns.
Do I need to trim the antennae to a different length? Is there maybe something else that I'm not thinking of?
Any and all help would be greatly appreciated!
For me though, any time I key the mic to speak, it squeals like feedback through a sound system. I adjusted the volume thinking that was the problem but it had no effect. I made sure all the radio cables were routed away from power cables as this was a problem in my other plane but that didn't work either.
Eventually I discovered that if I touch the tip of the antennae, the squealing stops. I can slide my finger down the antennae about 4" and then the squealing returns.
Do I need to trim the antennae to a different length? Is there maybe something else that I'm not thinking of?
Any and all help would be greatly appreciated!
