Podcast
Questions and Answers
Where is the Long Wire antenna typically located?
Where is the Long Wire antenna typically located?
What is the purpose of SELCAL?
What is the purpose of SELCAL?
Which of the following frequencies is a TX restricted frequency?
Which of the following frequencies is a TX restricted frequency?
What is the transmission sequence of the SELCAL encoder?
What is the transmission sequence of the SELCAL encoder?
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What is the duty cycle of the HF transmitter?
What is the duty cycle of the HF transmitter?
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What is the purpose of the Towel Bar antenna?
What is the purpose of the Towel Bar antenna?
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What is the frequency spectrum of the VHF Comm system?
What is the frequency spectrum of the VHF Comm system?
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What is the primary purpose of SELCAL operation?
What is the primary purpose of SELCAL operation?
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How do radio waves propagate from point A to point B?
How do radio waves propagate from point A to point B?
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What is the characteristic of a half-duplex system?
What is the characteristic of a half-duplex system?
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What type of antenna configuration is typically used for VHF Comm?
What type of antenna configuration is typically used for VHF Comm?
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What is the frequency spectrum of the HF Comm system?
What is the frequency spectrum of the HF Comm system?
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What is the primary purpose of a ground plane in an aircraft antenna?
What is the primary purpose of a ground plane in an aircraft antenna?
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Why is painting antennas with aircraft paint not recommended?
Why is painting antennas with aircraft paint not recommended?
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What is the frequency range of the VHF-Com system?
What is the frequency range of the VHF-Com system?
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What is the function of the 'com test' control?
What is the function of the 'com test' control?
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What is the purpose of the receiver squelch circuit?
What is the purpose of the receiver squelch circuit?
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According to Industry Canada regulations, what type of calls or messages have priority over all others?
According to Industry Canada regulations, what type of calls or messages have priority over all others?
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Study Notes
Aircraft Communication Systems
- VHF Comm system frequency spectrum: 118.00 – 135.975 MHz
Propagation Considerations
- VHF Comm: radio waves propagate in a line of sight, limiting range and coverage
- HF Comm: radio waves can propagate over long distances, using ionosphere and earth's surface to bounce signals
Antenna Configurations
- VHF Comm: typically uses a quarter-wave vertical antenna on top of the aircraft's fuselage
- HF Comm: uses various antenna types, including long wire, stinger, integrated, and 'towel bar' antennas, located on top of the fuselage, tail cone, or belly of the aircraft
Simple Block Diagrams
- VHF Comm system: consists of remote style VHF system, flight deck on/off and volume control, avionics bay, frequency selection, test/squelch, and flight deck VHF comm band
- HF Comm system: consists of HF components, including on/off and volume control, frequency selection, test/squelch, and HF antenna
HF Comm DO NOTs
- Do not change channels or transmit during refueling
- Do not interrupt any communication
- Do not transmit with a disconnected antenna
- Do not transmit on TX restricted frequencies (2.5, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 MHz)
- Do not ignore TX duty cycle (1 minute on, 4 minutes off)
- Do not change channels or transmit with personnel near the antenna or ATU
SELCAL (Selective Calling)
- Purpose: allows flight crew to be alerted by a chime and/or light when there is a radio call intended for that specific aircraft
- Works with HF and/or VHF radios on an aircraft
- Aircraft equipped with SELCAL have a 4-letter code, using letters A-S, excluding I, N, and O
- SELCAL encoder sends 2 groups of 2 tones each as its 'call', each tone corresponding to one of the letters
Antenna Inspection
- Bonding to aircraft skin: 0.003 ohms
- Mounting hole and surface sealing: ensure proper sealing to prevent water ingress
- Leading edge protection: inspect for cracks, erosion, and condition of paint
- Painting antennas with aircraft paint is not recommended, as it can de-tune the antenna
Regulations
- Industry Canada regulations: all radio transmitters installed in operating aircraft must be licensed
- FCC regulations: distress calls or messages have priority over all others
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Description
This quiz covers various types of HF antennas and their locations on an aircraft, including long wire, stinger, integrated, and towel bar antennas. It also discusses HF communication dos and don'ts.