September 28, 2008 - Mount GPS Antennas 

Now to the GPS antennas.  There are three of them:  one for the 496, one for the XM Satellite which also goes to the 496, and one for the SL-60.  The XM Satellite weather and music service has a monthly charge.  I won't be subscribing at first but I probably will in the future when I start flying long cross-countries. 

First I made paper templates out of the antennas.  Then I cut out a rectangle of aluminum sheet. 

   
Using the paper templates, I drilled mounting holes for the three antennas.  Then I fashioned side reinforcements out of .063 angle.
   
 Then I made the diagonal strut angles. 
   
The antenna mount probably doesn't need priming, but it's so quick and easy to do, I just did it.  I riveted the side angle reinforcements, then trial fit the antennas.  The white antenna is for the SL-60.  The solid black antenna is for the 496.
   
Ready for riveting.  I drilled a 3/4" hole in the firewall, underneath the mounting bracket, for the antenna wires to pass through the firewall.  The hole had to be that large for the 496 antenna terminal to pass through. 
   

The bracket is now riveted to the firewall and the three antennas permanently screwed down. 
   
 
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