Just bought a 1940 J5 with no electric system and thus no radio. Trying to use a handheld Icom A6 but have an enormous amount of static/interference. It also sqeal's when you key up to talk. Plug wires are not shielded and have tried locating the antenna behind the seat but not much improvement. My Sigtronics intercom sounds and works great but the radio plugged into it is just about useless. What do ya'll do. Thanks, Donna

Donna,

I tackled the same problem with an Aeronca 7AC Champ once. Bottom line is that those unshielded leads and plugs radiate RF (radio frequency) energy like crazy. The fix is to replace the plug leads and plugs with shielded. Fresno Air Parts had everything I needed to do the job. Didn't have to change the original Bendix "lunch box" mags.

Differance was light night and day!

bumper

I concur we did the same thing with our 7AC about 10 years ago. It made using the handheld a pleasure

The squeel is a different problem though, sounds like something is shorted. I assume it squeels like it will if you don't have the mike cord plugged all of the way in?

My Vagabond has unshielded wires and plugs, and external antennae did the trick.