Thorp Air Command - T18.net

In you guys' opinions, is there a good reason to keep an installed VOR antenna these days? My Thorp T-18, N12055, has a VOR antenna on the top of the vertical stabilizer. I'm thinking about removing it and the associated RG-58 coax cable that runs up to the cockpit to save weight and drag. I'll be using a GPS tablet for now and will replace the steam gauge instruments with EFIS / GPS after a year or so. Heck, even the little Yaesu FTA-750 radios pick up VOR signals without the need for a VOR Antenna. I plan to fly VFR-only.

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John Twigg N12055 SN.79 Pittsburgh, PA (KFWQ)

Personal choice. I have one. But then again, my bird is full up IFR.
Cubes

The VOR will go the way of the Omega , NDB and lighted airways . I use the iFLY 720 GPS and should that unit decide to make a new bed I have a backup iFLY 520 GPS (much smaller unit with built in battery) . I thought about getting a handheld with VOR capability , but why ? Day VFR , (2) GPS and for the worst case nightmare a bound book of paper sectionals and a #2 pencil .

RB

1. If you ever want to fly IFR, keep the VOR

2. If you are near some restricted areas and decide you will fly X-country when the zoomies play weebeejammin the GPS (they do it out here on occasion for an hour or two), you might appreciate the VOR.

For what it's worth, I decomm'd my VOR off the KX-155 a couple of years ago - sold the indicator for a Morton's steak dinner for two.....wish I didn't.

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Fraser MacPhee
N926WM
Serial #279-1
Angel Fire, NM (KAXX)

Hi everyone, just a quick update to let you know that I ditched the VOR coax cable running thru the rear fuselage. I decided I didn't want the weight and it was run thru holes in the bulkheads that I could put to better use without drilling new holes.

Thanks for all your suggestions!

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John Twigg N12055 SN.79 Pittsburgh, PA (KFWQ)

For what it's worth; I removed the VOR antenna from 'Feisty' because it just about put my eye out. It was at that perfect height on top of the vertical stab.
I might try an Archer #1 wingtip antenna if I add a VOR in the future...
https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/ ... enna-1.php

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Scott Emery
EAA Chapter 326
T-18 N18TE

Didn't your mother tell you that could put an eye out !

RB

RB;
Well, maybe.
Wasn't that "A Christmas Story" and something about a BB gun?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrAwb9ptu9U

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Scott Emery
EAA Chapter 326
T-18 N18TE

Could be ? I got a 50 cal for x-mas .

RB

I bought foam clown noses from hobby lobby and stuck them on the end of the antennas because I too was worried about poking my eye out. I forget about them alot, so there are clown noses all over our airport!