Antenna's Updated.

N85ae has a KX-155 Nav/Comm with Glideslope, and a KI-209, in addition to
a Garmin Panel mount GPS/Com. I have (had) Bob Archer wingtip antenna's
in it until this week.

Experiment number one, I made a copper tape dipole (7.5" legs) for the
glideslope up in the front of the cowl (about equidistant from the spinner,
and oil sump), with a toroid behind it. Test flew it, and very, very MUCH
better glideslope reception. Rock solid, and while I only flew the ILS from
30 miles out I had solid glideslope reception all the way. Okay one wingtip
is lighter now.

Actually 30 miles is almost twice as far out as the initial fix, but I was
curious if the antenna would work. seems to work flying outbound as well
so I guess the engine in the way doesn't cause too much problem.

Next experiment, I took some 16 ga. copper house wire and fabricated
a 22.5" legs dipole and stuck the shield side aerial in a piece of tubing dead
center between the spars, and the center conductor aerial diagonally out
to the rear outboard corner of the wingtip. Center of the antenna located
where the wingtip attaches. This antenna with a toroid also.

Okay this home brew antenna gives me rock solid lock on to every VOR
in the area, and a couple ILS Localizers as well, I tried 360 degree turns
and everything was totally solid.Very noticeable improvement. All the
hunting and twitching I used to see in the needles is gone, and just
plain good reception.

Okay, so that's TWO Bob Archer antenna's gone.

All I can say is the Bob Archer antenna's worked, but the el-cheapo, super
simple dipole's work a LOT better in my plane ... Wish I made the swap ten
years ago.

Best part is everything I made I already had, so it was essentially a free
upgrade.

I was always suspicious that a dipole could work between the spars, and
that maybe the Bob Archers not the best choice for a tube and fabric, and
I think my experiment proves it.

Yes the archers were well grounded to the spars.