Northern Ireland Aviation Enthusiast's Forum

General Aviation Discussion => General Aviation Discussion => Topic started by: Sneaky_Nikon on September 24, 2020, 08:32:25 PM

Title: Anyone tried the Air Antennas Black Knight?
Post by: Sneaky_Nikon on September 24, 2020, 08:32:25 PM
Was looking for something magical for V/UHF portable use and someone suggested these guys dual bander.  Then I discover they have an airband RX antenna too.

https://www.airantennas.com/blank (https://www.airantennas.com/blank)
Title: Re: Anyone tried the Air Antennas Black Knight?
Post by: Paultojo on September 25, 2020, 05:48:37 PM
Got one of these recently, seems pity good


https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Broadsword-D881-general-receive-vhf-uhf-antenna-bnc-connection/283989124000?_trkparms=aid%3D1110006%26algo%3DHOMESPLICE.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D225076%26meid%3D5fa7c48382c244ac951da29fb4677742%26pid%3D100012%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D4%26sd%3D274303472756%26itm%3D283989124000%26pmt%3D0%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D2047675%26algv%3DDefaultOrganic&_trksid=p2047675.c100012.m1985
Title: Re: Anyone tried the Air Antennas Black Knight?
Post by: Sneaky_Nikon on September 25, 2020, 08:01:45 PM
Might give one a go then, ta!
Title: Re: Anyone tried the Air Antennas Black Knight?
Post by: Sneaky_Nikon on October 03, 2020, 12:27:03 PM
After a very brief and fairly unscientific test, meh.
If you want an antenna that you can fold up and pack into a messenger bag, this is your man.  But honestly if there's a difference in gain (on VHF anyway) over my attic resident discone, it's not noticeable.
Title: Re: Anyone tried the Air Antennas Black Knight?
Post by: Sneaky_Nikon on October 09, 2020, 08:18:34 PM
After a week, it's actually alright.  My acid test for go/no go with antennas is being able to get Aldergrove to break squelch while I'm sitting in the living room. The Black Knight doesn't cut it. Which disappointed me last weekend.  But, it's definitely doing a fair job on UHF, not life changing, but a noticeable improvement over anything wideband.
Title: Re: Anyone tried the Air Antennas Black Knight?
Post by: Causeway74 on October 09, 2020, 08:55:54 PM
Quote from: Sneaky_Nikon on October 09, 2020, 08:18:34 PM
After a week, it's actually alright.  My acid test for go/no go with antennas is being able to get Aldergrove to break squelch while I'm sitting in the living room. The Black Knight doesn't cut it. Which disappointed me last weekend.  But, it's definitely doing a fair job on UHF, not life changing, but a noticeable improvement over anything wideband.

What is your 'usual' for uhf milair?
Title: Re: Anyone tried the Air Antennas Black Knight?
Post by: Sneaky_Nikon on October 09, 2020, 10:30:57 PM
Quote from: Causeway74 on October 09, 2020, 08:55:54 PM

What is your 'usual' for uhf milair?

From this house being able to hear anything is a positive. Where the inflatable impressed this week was in being able to pick out a couple of surface callsigns. Nothing that a solid antenna for the band won't get you but you can put it in your pocket and use it as a buoyancy aid.
Title: Re: Anyone tried the Air Antennas Black Knight?
Post by: Causeway74 on October 09, 2020, 10:51:07 PM
I've a D777 here which should be good enough except that its never got beyond the attic.

Anyone have any recommendations on where to get gable wall mounts and poles/mounting kits etc?
Title: Re: Anyone tried the Air Antennas Black Knight?
Post by: Sneaky_Nikon on October 10, 2020, 12:28:05 AM
Quote from: Causeway74 on October 09, 2020, 10:51:07 PM
I've a D777 here which should be good enough except that its never got beyond the attic.

Anyone have any recommendations on where to get gable wall mounts and poles/mounting kits etc?

I have one of those also & it's also in the attic when it's mounted at all. It passes the Aldergrove test.
Title: Re: Anyone tried the Air Antennas Black Knight?
Post by: Andy H on October 19, 2020, 01:48:41 PM
The black knight looks a great job.  What sort of range are you getting with it?