I was just noticing yesterday that my antenna for my ack E-04 antenna is cracked. Guess I have to replace it for $100. Anyone else notice their's breaking? The more I deal with Ack, the more I think I'm ready to rip it out and put in an Artex. It's more expensive, but I think it will last better.

Thoughts?

Mine cracked winter of 2016-17 near the metal whip and near the base. Cold weather flying I assume. I cleaned the cracks with solvent and put some Seal All (http://eclecticproducts.com/products/se ... l-all.html) on and worked it into them by flexing the material. I had some handy so that's what I used. There may be better products like 2-part epoxies.

Here's the application and Technical data sheet: http://eclecticproducts.com/downloads/t ... -au-nz.pdf

After drying I painted the glue to reduce UV attack. My goal was to seal the cracks from water and weather. So far it's held hands ok.

Gary

Did you contact the manufacturer about the issue before posting here?
Cus, I've read that you need to do that first.

I had one crack on the bell 212 helicopter I've been flying this summer. I wasn't too terribly worried about the thing disintegrating except for the fact that it was just upstream of one of the engine air intakes Probably would pass through the inertial bypass system but wouldn't want to take a chance. They put a new one on but unfortunately its in the same place...gonna keep an eye on it!! No cold weather flying here but lots of baking in the sun

See last Post on Page 1 of this previous discussion on this antenna cracking: https://backcountrypilot.org/forum/curr ... ions-19137

They supported their product.

Gary

Thought I would add that they replaced mine with a phone call

Bagarre wrote:Did you contact the manufacturer about the issue before posting here?
Cus, I've read that you need to do that first.

No, I wanted to find out if it was a common issue before talking to them.

So far I have learned that cold weather appears to attack them, cracks are common, that I can glue it back together, and that they typically replace them with a phone call. That's pretty helpful information. I'll give them a shout.

Ask them what causes the failures. Cold, UV, vibration of the components, or whatever. Can it be prevented with special care or surface coating?

Mine's mounted top side half way to the tail of my Taylorcraft. Mounted on a metal plate is an area I'll never crawl back to deal with the expectation of getting back out. It and the ELT are a job for young flexible mechanics.

Gary

Mine cracked within about a month