Telonics Receiving Antennas - Aircraft

Directional Antennas
Mounting Brackets
Omni Directional Antennas/Accessories
Antenna Control Units and Accessories
Coaxial Cables
Headphones/Headset Accessories
Aircraft Intercom and Distribution Systems
Misc. Accessories

Tracking wildlife from aircraft is an established technique and Telonics equipment has been designed for fixed-wing, ultralight and helicopter tracking applications.

Directional Antenna and Accessories

The versatile Telonics RA-2A Antenna is designed for mounting on aircraft as well as for hand-held use or as part of the RA-NS Precision Direction Finding System.

RA-2AHS RA-2A Antenna with Reinforced Center "H" Section For use on high-speed aircraft, includes RA-2P vinyl carrying pouch.

RA-2AR Replacement Reflector (Front) Element For model RA-2A Antenna.

RA-2AD Replacement Director (Rear) Element For model RA-2A Antenna (short element with yellow band).

Antenna Mounting Brackets

Click here for step-by-step installation instructions for antenna mounting brackets on fixed-wing aircraft. (V 10, N1, Spring & Summer 1997, "Antenna Mounting Brackets"

Advisory Note concerning FAA regulations on mounting brackets.

Regulations governing the attachment of equipment to aircraft vary depending on ownership, use and location. Users should check with appropriate authorities regarding current regulations. The International Association of Natural Resource Pilots is a source that can make suggestions based on practical experience. You may also wish to refer to the Federal Aviation Regulations concerning type certification requirements.

FAA inspection standards vary depending on how individual FAA inspectors classify the bracket and regional FAA practices and policies.

Government owned aircraft can often mount the brackets using a simple logbook signoff. Privately held aircraft require FAA inspection to comply with FAA rules. Compliance requirements within the FAA have not been consistent from inspector to inspector or region to region.

In some parts of the US, aircraft brackets are considers a "minor alteration" and a simple logbook sign off can be completed by a certified A&P to achieve full compliance with FAA rules.

In other regions a certified mechanic fills out an FAA form 337 Major Airframe Alteration. The form describes the alteration (installation). This form is then submitted to the FSDO for a field approval. This approval is for a specific aircraft serial number and must be done again even if you outfit a second aircraft of the same model.

In other areas of the country inspectors have asked for a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC). An STC is not available from Telonics for any of our antenna mounting brackets although the user may choose to pursue an STC on their own using their A&P and at their own expense. If the STC is required by your FCC inspector, be aware the process can be expensive and time consuming. The Ohio Department of Transportation has an STC for the Cessna 182 (STC SA182CH). STCs are based on aircraft model so mounting on one Cessna aircraft does not mean that the bracket is approved for other Cessna aircraft models.

Omni-Directional Antennas and Accessories

RA-5B Omni-Directional Antennas Base-loaded whip, three dBd gain, supplied with 17-foot coaxial cable and BNC connector. Mounts by bolting to aircraft inspection plate or other metal surface.

RA-5WB Replacement Whip and Base Loading Coil Assembly For RA-5B Antenna.

RA-10 Omni-Directional, Special Whip Antenna Requires no ground plane, 2.4 dBd. Supplied with 20-foot coaxial cable and BNC connector. Suitable for mounting on fabric-covered aircraft such as the Super Cub.

RA-11 Omni-Directional, Used on High-Speed Aircraft 0 dBd. Monopole, rigid slanted white fiberglass for semi-permanent mounting on metal-skinned aircraft (belly or wing mount). Requires grounding FAA approved. Approximately 20 inches tall.

Antenna Control Units

TAC-2 Control Box Used to switch between two antennas, with "right", "left" and "both" positions. Typically used to combine two antennas or switch between antennas mounted on right and left struts of aircraft to aid in aerial location of transmitter. Warranted for 100,000 operations.

Click here for more information, including tech specs, on the Telonics TAC-7. (V 7, N3, Fall & Winter 1994, "TAC-7 Electronic Antenna Switch Box")

Coaxial Cables

Fabricated with low-loss type RG-58A/U (0.195 inch diameter) cable. Suitable for temperatures of -40º to +80º C. Not recommended for runs longer than 25 feet. When ordering, specify terminations: BNC/BNC or BNC/Pigtail.

RW-2 Five-foot length

RW-3-9 Nine-foot length

RW-3-12 12-foot length

RW-3-17 17-foot length

RW-3-25 25-foot length

Headphones and Headsets

RH-1 Exceptional Quality, Noise-Canceling, Low-Impedance Headphones For heavy use. Supplied with heavy-duty straight cord (4.5-foot), 1/4-inch military plug and foam-filled ear seals (modified David Clark model H-7050).

TAH-2 High Quality David Clark Headset Amplified dynamic, noise-canceling microphone with adjustable gain, adjustable volume control; five-foot straight cord with PJ-068 and PJ-055 standard aircraft plugs, 550 grams, 600 ohm impedance.

S-40 Sigtronics Headset Electric condenser-type, noise-canceling microphone, adjustable volume control, five-foot straight cord with PJ-068 and PJ-055 standard aircraft plugs, 450 grams, 600 ohm impedance.

Headphone and Headset Accessories

RW-4A "Y" Adapter Allows the use of two low-impedance headsets with a single receiver.

TAH-4 Cloth "Comfort Covers" (pair) Soft cloth covers fit over ear seals and permit air circulation in hot weather and insulation in cold weather.

TAH-5 Eyeglass Adapters (pair) Soft foam spacers conform to both your head and the headphone ear seals to prevent noise leaks and pressure on the temples.

TAH-6 Replacement Cushion Ear Seals (pair)

CON-PHN Dust Cover for TR-2 Phone Jack

SPK-1 External Speaker (2-1/4 inches W x 2-1/2 inches D) with mounting bracket, 6.5-foot cord and 1/4-inch phone plug.

Aircraft Intercom and Audio Distribution Systems

A basic aircraft audio distribution system that includes the SPO- 22 Intercom, TR-2/TS-1 Receiver/Scanner, and TAH-2 Headsets.

SPO-22 Transcom II Aircraft Intercom and Audio Distribution System Automatic activation offers pilot-to-passenger hands-free communication, push-too-talk control of VHF ATC aircraft radio, input for one telemetry receiver, and output for conventional audio tape recorder to log cockpit audio and telemetry data. ATC radios may be controlled by either pilot or copilot. Powered by an internal 9V battery, the unit provides approximately 40 hours of operation. A four-foot cord is also included for powering via a cigarette lighter jack. Standard model is designed for two headsets, with headsets purchased separately. (Headsets are required for each person who will be communicating through the system). Includes RW-8 shielded adapter cable for connecting intercom with a TR-2 receiver.

SPO-42 Four-Way Aircraft Audio Same features as SPO-22, but includes an auxiliary unit for the rear sear with inputs for two additional headsets. Permits four people to have voice-actuated communications and monitor telemetry.

Miscellaneous Accessories

TAC-4 Two-Port Peak Combiner/Splitter Zero degree phase shifter (combines two 50 ohm signal sources and provides a matched 50 ohm combined output). Used to split an incoming signal from an antenna system for the simultaneous use of two receivers.

RP-3-12 12-Volt DC Charge Cord Used to charge TR-2 Receiver or TDP-2 Data Processor from 12 VDC negative ground electrical system. The plug on this cord requires a cigarette-lighter jack on the power source.

RP-3-24 24-28 Volt DC Charging Adapter Allows charging of TR-2 Receiver or TDP-2 Data Processor from 24-28 VDC negative ground electrical system (e.g., an aircraft power supply). Must be used in conjunction with RP-3-12.

RW-8 Adapter Shielded Cable Connects TR-2 Receiver to aircraft intercom system.

Additional hot links:

• Click here for more information on recommended aircraft search patterns.
  • V 10, N1, Spring & Summer 1997, "Aircraft Tracking"

• Additional links to the following TQ articles:
  • V11, N1, Fall 1998, "It Doesn't Count If It's Not Line-of-Sight"
  • V5, N2, Fall and Winter 1992, "Range Testing"
  • V3, N3, Fall 1990, "Polarization"
  • V3, N4, Winter 1990, "The Phenomena of Signal Bounce and Phase Cancellation"

• Additional links to technical note:
• "Antenna Considerations for Biomedical Telemetry" - Not yet available

For more information:

932 E. Impala Ave., Mesa, AZ, 85204-6699 U.S.A.
Tel: 480-892-4444 FAX: 480-892-9139
info@telonics.com