Aerials and Groundplanes?

[Aprisa]

Just fitted the roof aerial to the Phantom, as it is a glassfibre car do I need some form of groundplane to earth it to?

If so would a sheet or almuminium stuck to the roof suffice?

Cheers Nick

[sparkyjohn]

No a sheet of aluminium foil might not be up to it. Where's the aerial ?

>> Edited by sparkyjohn on Tuesday 21st October 12:33

[Aprisa]

Thanks John, little brief tho!

No I don't need a groundplane or No Ali will not do?

Nick

[sparkyjohn]

Sorry pressed the wrong button first time round Updated now

[sparkyjohn]

Hello ?

[Aprisa]

Thought it was a bit odd!

Its at the rear of the roof hopefully dead centre
has the usual serated base clamp to make contact with the bodywork, I can run something either left-right or front-back but not a sheet of proper metal as the roof lining has cut-outs for the drver and passenger that just have the lining stuck to the roof above your head.

That probably doesn't make much sense!

Nick

[sparkyjohn]

Can't quite visualise that, but what i'd suggest is a sheet of 1mil copper stuck on with impact adhesive, rather than self adhesive foil. This could be formed into shape easily and will be more effective than the foil.
Car aerials aren't very dependent on a strong ground plane, what's more significant is the screening effect of the metal, without it you run the risk of interference from the ignition. If your engine bay is lined with an aluminised heat barrier (or could be) you're already half way there.
Hope this helps

Sparky.

[Aprisa]

Thanks John
Will do the copper thing, the engine is quite close being mid mounted but I have most of the bay either aluminium or foil backed heat pad lined.
Hopefull Ok but will find out when and if the engine fires up.
Nick

[sparkyjohn]

You're welcome. What are you building ?

[Aprisa]

Phantom GTR, nearly finished, havn't sorted puting pictures on a site yet but the demo is at www.phantom.uk.com
Nick