Boosting ICOM IC-A23 Handheld Aviation Radio

[CHANGE USERNAME TO westes]

I recently purchased an ICOM IC-A23 radio, and I'm disappointed in its
pickup. It gets the weather channels fine, but the reception for both the
airport and airplane radios is poor. Aside from standing next to the
airport or being right under the airplane, do I have any options for
improving gain and the quality of reception? Is there some third party
antenna that I could attach to this radio? It looks like it takes a
standard BNC type connector for the antenna that comes with it.

[zatatime]

On Sat, 5 Jun 2004 14:25:57 -0700, "CHANGE USERNAME TO westes"

Post by CHANGE USERNAME TO westes
I recently purchased an ICOM IC-A23 radio, and I'm disappointed in its
pickup. It gets the weather channels fine, but the reception for both the
airport and airplane radios is poor. Aside from standing next to the
airport or being right under the airplane, do I have any options for
improving gain and the quality of reception? Is there some third party
antenna that I could attach to this radio? It looks like it takes a
standard BNC type connector for the antenna that comes with it.

My radio guy swapped out a loran antenna for a VHF antenna when I had
some radio work done. He ran a wire up to the cockpit and put it in
the map pocket. If I ever need it he's told me it will work almost as
well as a regular radio with that set up. Haven't tried it out yet,
but I do trust his judgement.

HTH

z

[Bob Gardner]

It's not just ICOM. The rubber ducky antennas that come with the handheld
units are almost, but not ntirely, useless. Getting a good signal in or out
of a metal enclosure is tough...you have to hold the unit near a window and
keep it vertical for best results.
If you are a renter and can't go for an installed antenna, talk to your
local avionics shop about getting a better antenna.

Bob Gardner

Post by CHANGE USERNAME TO westes
I recently purchased an ICOM IC-A23 radio, and I'm disappointed in its
pickup. It gets the weather channels fine, but the reception for both the
airport and airplane radios is poor. Aside from standing next to the
airport or being right under the airplane, do I have any options for
improving gain and the quality of reception? Is there some third party
antenna that I could attach to this radio? It looks like it takes a
standard BNC type connector for the antenna that comes with it.
--
Will
westes AT earthbroadcast.com

[Rod Madsen]

All very true, but I think the original poster was referring to reception on
the ground (next to the airport or under the plane), not inside a cockpit.

Rod

Post by Bob Gardner
It's not just ICOM. The rubber ducky antennas that come with the handheld
units are almost, but not ntirely, useless. Getting a good signal in or out
of a metal enclosure is tough...you have to hold the unit near a window and
keep it vertical for best results.
If you are a renter and can't go for an installed antenna, talk to your
local avionics shop about getting a better antenna.
Bob Gardner

Post by CHANGE USERNAME TO westes
I recently purchased an ICOM IC-A23 radio, and I'm disappointed in its
pickup. It gets the weather channels fine, but the reception for both

the

Post by CHANGE USERNAME TO westes
airport and airplane radios is poor. Aside from standing next to the
airport or being right under the airplane, do I have any options for
improving gain and the quality of reception? Is there some third party
antenna that I could attach to this radio? It looks like it takes a
standard BNC type connector for the antenna that comes with it.
--
Will
westes AT earthbroadcast.com

[F***@nospam.biz]

Post by Rod Madsen
All very true, but I think the original poster was referring to reception on
the ground (next to the airport or under the plane), not inside a cockpit.

Several years ago, I went to a ham radio shop and had them cut an roof mount
antenna for my ICOM 21. I believe I had them cut it for 128 MHz and 3/4 wave
length. I got awesome performance from my car. I could hear the ATIS and talk
with ground control five miles from the airport on the freeway. I could drive
along I-5 on the coast and talk with LA Center's RCO on Catalina Island.

[Everett M. Greene]

Post by F***@nospam.biz

Post by Rod Madsen
All very true, but I think the original poster was referring to reception on
the ground (next to the airport or under the plane), not inside a cockpit.

Several years ago, I went to a ham radio shop and had them cut an roof mount
antenna for my ICOM 21. I believe I had them cut it for 128 MHz and 3/4 wave
length. I got awesome performance from my car. I could hear the ATIS and talk
with ground control five miles from the airport on the freeway. I could drive
along I-5 on the coast and talk with LA Center's RCO on Catalina Island.

Were you really "talking" to these stations? The 108-136 MHz
band(s) is(are) for /air/ mobile operations. Talking to LA
Center while driving on I5 would seem to be illegal.

[Teacherjh]

Were you really "talking" to these stations? The 108-136 MHz
band(s) is(are) for /air/ mobile operations. Talking to LA
Center while driving on I5 would seem to be illegal.
<<

What if you're jumping up and down, and only transmit when you're in the air?

Jose

[F***@nospam.biz]

Post by Everett M. Greene

Post by F***@nospam.biz

Post by Rod Madsen
All very true, but I think the original poster was referring to reception on
the ground (next to the airport or under the plane), not inside a cockpit.

Several years ago, I went to a ham radio shop and had them cut an roof mount
antenna for my ICOM 21. I believe I had them cut it for 128 MHz and 3/4 wave
length. I got awesome performance from my car. I could hear the ATIS and talk
with ground control five miles from the airport on the freeway. I could drive
along I-5 on the coast and talk with LA Center's RCO on Catalina Island.

Were you really "talking" to these stations? The 108-136 MHz
band(s) is(are) for /air/ mobile operations. Talking to LA
Center while driving on I5 would seem to be illegal.

Just enough to check it out. "Los Angeles Center, this is Piper 38 Charlie, radio
check on 124.75 please."

It was used primarily to listen to ATIS on the way to the airport, then once out of
the car, the rubber duckie antenna was placed on it and I contacted clearance
delivery with my little finger touching the wing of my airplane.

I discuss all of these nuances with an FCC friend one time and guess what, they
couldn't care less, so long as the transmissions do not interfere with air traffic
services. A radio check does not rise to that level.

[Gerald Sylvester]

Post by Everett M. Greene

Post by F***@nospam.biz
I could hear the ATIS and talk
with ground control five miles from the airport on the freeway. I could drive
along I-5 on the coast and talk with LA Center's RCO on Catalina Island.

Were you really "talking" to these stations? The 108-136 MHz
band(s) is(are) for /air/ mobile operations. Talking to LA
Center while driving on I5 would seem to be illegal.

since he was "driving" in LA (I sitting in endless traffic), I highly
highly doubt he was "mobile." Maybe he was on a tall off-ramp so might
have been in the "air."

Gerald

[F***@nospam.biz]

Post by Gerald Sylvester

Post by Everett M. Greene

Post by F***@nospam.biz
I could hear the ATIS and talk
with ground control five miles from the airport on the freeway. I could drive
along I-5 on the coast and talk with LA Center's RCO on Catalina Island.

Were you really "talking" to these stations? The 108-136 MHz
band(s) is(are) for /air/ mobile operations. Talking to LA
Center while driving on I5 would seem to be illegal.

since he was "driving" in LA (I sitting in endless traffic), I highly
highly doubt he was "mobile." Maybe he was on a tall off-ramp so might
have been in the "air."

North San Diego County isn't exactly LA.

[Michelle P]

An external antenna is essential. I had an occasion to use it airborne
after an electrical failure in IMC. It had a range of 20-30 miles at
5000 ft. I was able to talk to ATC al the way to the airport. My
external antenna is on the belly sine I figured I would be transmitting
down to the radio antennae's.

Michelle

Post by CHANGE USERNAME TO westes
I recently purchased an ICOM IC-A23 radio, and I'm disappointed in its
pickup. It gets the weather channels fine, but the reception for both the
airport and airplane radios is poor. Aside from standing next to the
airport or being right under the airplane, do I have any options for
improving gain and the quality of reception? Is there some third party
antenna that I could attach to this radio? It looks like it takes a
standard BNC type connector for the antenna that comes with it.

[EDR]

Post by CHANGE USERNAME TO westes
I recently purchased an ICOM IC-A23 radio, and I'm disappointed in its
pickup. It gets the weather channels fine, but the reception for both the
airport and airplane radios is poor. Aside from standing next to the
airport or being right under the airplane, do I have any options for
improving gain and the quality of reception? Is there some third party
antenna that I could attach to this radio? It looks like it takes a
standard BNC type connector for the antenna that comes with it.

If you are on the ground, outside the airplane, you can purchase a
metal, 5/8 wave, telescoping antenna to replace the standard rubber
duckie.

[Ray Andraka]

Don't forget, VHF is line of sight. On the ground, you won't get much range to
another ground station regardless of how good your antenna is.

Post by EDR

Post by CHANGE USERNAME TO westes
I recently purchased an ICOM IC-A23 radio, and I'm disappointed in its
pickup. It gets the weather channels fine, but the reception for both the
airport and airplane radios is poor. Aside from standing next to the
airport or being right under the airplane, do I have any options for
improving gain and the quality of reception? Is there some third party
antenna that I could attach to this radio? It looks like it takes a
standard BNC type connector for the antenna that comes with it.

If you are on the ground, outside the airplane, you can purchase a
metal, 5/8 wave, telescoping antenna to replace the standard rubber
duckie.

--
--Ray Andraka, P.E.
President, the Andraka Consulting Group, Inc.
401/884-7930 Fax [phone]
email ***@andraka.com
http://www.andraka.com

"They that give up essential liberty to obtain a little
temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."
-Benjamin Franklin, 1759

[F***@nospam.biz]

Post by Ray Andraka
Don't forget, VHF is line of sight. On the ground, you won't get much range to
another ground station regardless of how good your antenna is.

five miles is pretty good. And, since ZLA Catalina's RCO is atop a mountain on the
island, 40 miles works with ease.

[F***@nospam.biz]

Post by EDR

Post by CHANGE USERNAME TO westes
I recently purchased an ICOM IC-A23 radio, and I'm disappointed in its
pickup. It gets the weather channels fine, but the reception for both the
airport and airplane radios is poor. Aside from standing next to the
airport or being right under the airplane, do I have any options for
improving gain and the quality of reception? Is there some third party
antenna that I could attach to this radio? It looks like it takes a
standard BNC type connector for the antenna that comes with it.

If you are on the ground, outside the airplane, you can purchase a
metal, 5/8 wave, telescoping antenna to replace the standard rubber
duckie.

Right, I think my antenna is 5/8 wave. Makes it awesome with a roof mount.

[CHANGE USERNAME TO westes]

How tall was that telescoping antenna?

Does anyone sell an off the shelf 5/8 wave telescoping antenna with a strong
magnetic base?
--
Will
westes AT earthbroadcast.com

Post by EDR
If you are on the ground, outside the airplane, you can purchase a
metal, 5/8 wave, telescoping antenna to replace the standard rubber
duckie.

[EDR]

Post by CHANGE USERNAME TO westes
How tall was that telescoping antenna?

I do not remember how long it extends to.
IIRC, the formula is 468/f(MHz) gives the wavelength. Multiply by 5/8
to get the antenna length in feet. For 123.0 MHz (middle of the band),
the length is 28.5 inches.

Post by CHANGE USERNAME TO westes
Does anyone sell an off the shelf 5/8 wave telescoping antenna with a strong
magnetic base?

Just purchase a standard ham 2m mag mount antenna and cut a piece of
stainless steel rod that fits the mag mount to the above calculated
length.

[Max T, CFI]

I disagree with the method described below for calculating a 5/8 wavelenth antenna.
As I recall, the formula you have below gives you the length in feet of
a half wave length antenna (not the full wavelength as you suggest). So a 5/8 ths
wave antenna would be twice as long as you calculated. Also, if you took a 2 meter
5/8's wave antenna, you'd need to lengthen it (not cut it down) to use it as a 5/8 wave
antenna on 123 MHz.
You probably could take a 5/8 wave 2 meter ham antenna and cut it down to a 1/4 wavelength
antenna for use on 123 MHz. The length for that would be somewhere around 22.89 inches.
Max T, CFI (and ham radio operator)

Post by EDR

Post by CHANGE USERNAME TO westes
How tall was that telescoping antenna?

I do not remember how long it extends to.
IIRC, the formula is 468/f(MHz) gives the wavelength. Multiply by 5/8
to get the antenna length in feet. For 123.0 MHz (middle of the band),
the length is 28.5 inches.

Post by CHANGE USERNAME TO westes
Does anyone sell an off the shelf 5/8 wave telescoping antenna with a strong
magnetic base?

Just purchase a standard ham 2m mag mount antenna and cut a piece of
stainless steel rod that fits the mag mount to the above calculated
length.

[Teacherjh]

You probably could take a 5/8 wave 2 meter ham antenna and cut it down to a 1/4
wavelength
antenna for use on 123 MHz.
<<

There's more to it than that. The impedance has to match. For a 1/4 wave
antenna, all you need is 1/4 wave worth of metal. But for a 5/8 wave, you need
a coil at the bottom too, so that the antenna looks like 1/4 wave to the
transmitter, and works like a 5/8 wave to the ether. A ham band (or any other
band) 5/8 wave antenna will already have the appropriate coil, but if you
change the length significantly, the coil will no longer be the right value.

For 123 MHz the difference is probably not all that much, but it might be
enough, depending on your transmitter.

Jose

[F***@nospam.biz]

Post by Max T, CFI
I disagree with the method described below for calculating a 5/8 wavelenth antenna.
As I recall, the formula you have below gives you the length in feet of
a half wave length antenna (not the full wavelength as you suggest). So a 5/8 ths
wave antenna would be twice as long as you calculated. Also, if you took a 2 meter
5/8's wave antenna, you'd need to lengthen it (not cut it down) to use it as a 5/8 wave
antenna on 123 MHz.
You probably could take a 5/8 wave 2 meter ham antenna and cut it down to a 1/4 wavelength
antenna for use on 123 MHz. The length for that would be somewhere around 22.89 inches.
Max T, CFI (and ham radio operator)

Post by EDR

Post by CHANGE USERNAME TO westes
How tall was that telescoping antenna?

I do not remember how long it extends to.
IIRC, the formula is 468/f(MHz) gives the wavelength. Multiply by 5/8
to get the antenna length in feet. For 123.0 MHz (middle of the band),
the length is 28.5 inches.

Post by CHANGE USERNAME TO westes
Does anyone sell an off the shelf 5/8 wave telescoping antenna with a strong
magnetic base?

Just purchase a standard ham 2m mag mount antenna and cut a piece of
stainless steel rod that fits the mag mount to the above calculated
length.

I had mine cut for 128.0 MHz to optimize the VHF voice band. The nav frequencies are less
important. Ham Radio Specialists in San Diego cut it, and had stock to do 5/8 wave length at
that frequency. The whip is much longer than 28.5 inches; somewhere around 40 inches, or so.

[William W. Plummer]

Post by F***@nospam.biz

Post by Max T, CFI
I disagree with the method described below for calculating a 5/8 wavelenth antenna.
As I recall, the formula you have below gives you the length in feet of
a half wave length antenna (not the full wavelength as you suggest).

So a 5/8 ths

Post by F***@nospam.biz

Post by Max T, CFI
wave antenna would be twice as long as you calculated. Also, if you took a 2 meter
5/8's wave antenna, you'd need to lengthen it (not cut it down) to use it as a 5/8 wave
antenna on 123 MHz.
You probably could take a 5/8 wave 2 meter ham antenna and cut it down to a 1/4 wavelength
antenna for use on 123 MHz. The length for that would be somewhere around 22.89 inches.
Max T, CFI (and ham radio operator)

Post by EDR

Post by CHANGE USERNAME TO westes
How tall was that telescoping antenna?

I do not remember how long it extends to.
IIRC, the formula is 468/f(MHz) gives the wavelength. Multiply by 5/8
to get the antenna length in feet. For 123.0 MHz (middle of the band),
the length is 28.5 inches.

Post by CHANGE USERNAME TO westes
Does anyone sell an off the shelf 5/8 wave telescoping antenna with a strong
magnetic base?

Just purchase a standard ham 2m mag mount antenna and cut a piece of
stainless steel rod that fits the mag mount to the above calculated
length.

I had mine cut for 128.0 MHz to optimize the VHF voice band. The nav frequencies are less
important. Ham Radio Specialists in San Diego cut it, and had stock to do 5/8 wave length at
that frequency. The whip is much longer than 28.5 inches; somewhere around 40 inches, or so.

The "5/8 wavelength" is an electrical, equivalent length. This can be
different than a physical length depending on loading coils (inductive) and
"top hat" (capacitive) loads are used. In general you can't cut premade
antennas.

[F***@nospam.biz]

Post by Max T, CFI

Post by F***@nospam.biz

Post by Max T, CFI
I disagree with the method described below for calculating a 5/8

wavelenth antenna.

Post by F***@nospam.biz

Post by Max T, CFI
As I recall, the formula you have below gives you the length in feet of
a half wave length antenna (not the full wavelength as you suggest).

So a 5/8 ths

Post by F***@nospam.biz

Post by Max T, CFI
wave antenna would be twice as long as you calculated. Also, if you

took a 2 meter

Post by F***@nospam.biz

Post by Max T, CFI
5/8's wave antenna, you'd need to lengthen it (not cut it down) to use

it as a 5/8 wave

Post by F***@nospam.biz

Post by Max T, CFI
antenna on 123 MHz.
You probably could take a 5/8 wave 2 meter ham antenna and cut it down

to a 1/4 wavelength

Post by F***@nospam.biz

Post by Max T, CFI
antenna for use on 123 MHz. The length for that would be somewhere

around 22.89 inches.

Post by F***@nospam.biz

Post by Max T, CFI
Max T, CFI (and ham radio operator)

Post by EDR

Post by CHANGE USERNAME TO westes
How tall was that telescoping antenna?

I do not remember how long it extends to.
IIRC, the formula is 468/f(MHz) gives the wavelength. Multiply by 5/8
to get the antenna length in feet. For 123.0 MHz (middle of the band),
the length is 28.5 inches.

Post by CHANGE USERNAME TO westes
Does anyone sell an off the shelf 5/8 wave telescoping antenna with

a strong

Post by F***@nospam.biz

Post by Max T, CFI

Post by EDR

Post by CHANGE USERNAME TO westes
magnetic base?

Just purchase a standard ham 2m mag mount antenna and cut a piece of
stainless steel rod that fits the mag mount to the above calculated
length.

I had mine cut for 128.0 MHz to optimize the VHF voice band. The nav

frequencies are less

Post by F***@nospam.biz
important. Ham Radio Specialists in San Diego cut it, and had stock to do

5/8 wave length at

Post by F***@nospam.biz
that frequency. The whip is much longer than 28.5 inches; somewhere

around 40 inches, or so.
The "5/8 wavelength" is an electrical, equivalent length. This can be
different than a physical length depending on loading coils (inductive) and
"top hat" (capacitive) loads are used. In general you can't cut premade
antennas.

What do I know? I trusted the guy at a ham radio store (which has a great
reputation) and the setup worked great.

[F***@nospam.biz]

Post by CHANGE USERNAME TO westes
How tall was that telescoping antenna?
Does anyone sell an off the shelf 5/8 wave telescoping antenna with a strong
magnetic base?

Whatever 5/8 of an RF wavelength of 128.0 MHz is; somewhere around 3 1/2 feet,
or so.

No one sells them off the shelf, because they can cut one for you in about two
minutes. Any decend ham radio store has all the stuff.

[Jerry Kurata]

Where are located when you are using this radio. I am 7 miles from the
airport and I can hear aircraft in the pattern, but cannot hear the tower or
ATIS. The problem is these frequencies are line of sight. If you have
buildings and such in between the antenna and the source, the reception will
be poor regardless of antenna.

jerry

Post by CHANGE USERNAME TO westes
I recently purchased an ICOM IC-A23 radio, and I'm disappointed in its
pickup. It gets the weather channels fine, but the reception for both the
airport and airplane radios is poor. Aside from standing next to the
airport or being right under the airplane, do I have any options for
improving gain and the quality of reception? Is there some third party
antenna that I could attach to this radio? It looks like it takes a
standard BNC type connector for the antenna that comes with it.
--
Will
westes AT earthbroadcast.com