ACARS Antenna

[bglatour001]

I want to build a dedicated outdoor ACARS antenna. I was thinking of a copper j-pole. Anybody have any other ideas?

 

[wyomingmedic]

I would love to help, But I (and I bet a lot more folks) have no idea what ACARS is, what frequencies it covers, or where it is located.

A little help may be in order.

WM

 

[killmoles]

ACARS = Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System

Any antenna that receives approx 129 through 137 MHz will work. To answer your question in the Aircraft Monitoring Forum, I believe vertical polarization is better.

Choose an antenna for that band that fits well with your situation and you should be fine. A discone would be good, or something dedicated to the band like a J-pole, etc. would be too. I've never listened to it myself but I assume you want omnidirectional since planes are all over the place.

 

[ka3jjz]

If you don't understand a term, that's what our glossary is for - it's found in our wiki right here...

Category:RR Glossary - The RadioReference Wiki

Best regards...Mike

 

[majoco]

A J-Pole made for the correct centre frequency will be better than a Discone. A discone is just like an untuned vertical with a good ground mat - it radiates and receives equally badly in all directions! A J-Pole does have one disadvantage for aviation in that it does not receive very well from overhead - but fortunately aircraft do not remain exactly overhead for long. The was a good construction article in the Wiki on making a J-Pole from copper pipe with no insulators required- usually called a plumbers friend!

Cheers - Martin ZL2MC