Antenna Position

[Tim]

I got my (JR) radio gear second hand and found that the previous owner had
operated with a whip aerial. As a result, the Rx antenna wire has been
shortened to about 300mm. Reading previous posts, I get the impression that
whip aerials are not considered to be a good idea (because they reduce
range?), but given that the antenna wire has already been shortened, where
would be the best place to mount the aerial and in what orientation? (I have
a Quick UK base loaded aerial for 35MHz)

Thanks

Tim


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[Philip Martin]

"Tim" <Tim@nospamthankyoutikki.co.uk> wrote in message
news:Zm4wa.5441$5g4.1341@news-binary.blueyonder.co.uk...
> I got my (JR) radio gear second hand and found that the previous owner had
> operated with a whip aerial. As a result, the Rx antenna wire has been
> shortened to about 300mm. Reading previous posts, I get the impression
that
> whip aerials are not considered to be a good idea (because they reduce
> range?), but given that the antenna wire has already been shortened, where
> would be the best place to mount the aerial and in what orientation? (I
have
> a Quick UK base loaded aerial for 35MHz)
>
> Thanks
>
Depends what heli you have. I know one lad that has a 30 Raptor with a Base
Loaded mounted close to the frames, under the canopy. He's had no problems
with range.

I have one on my Hawk Sport, mounted off the under carriage, facing forward.
No problems there as regard range or damage. I also have one on an X-Cell
60, this has got an aluminium under carriage (home made). For a while I had
it bolted straight onto the UC until I realised that the UC had become part
of the aerial. Having said that though, I had no problems with range or
signal interference!

Phil Martin.

[Martin Round]

Whip antennas work fine when they are installed properly. If you wish
to convert your receiver back to normal, the wire should be about one
metre long (the exact length is not critical to a few inches). Depending
on your soldering skills, you can extend the wire to this length, or open
the receiver casing, and solder a new length direct to the PCB. Any type
of thin flexible insulated wire is suitable for the antenna - try to find
some
similar to what remains of your existing aerial.

Do a thorough range check before you fly and all should be well.

Martin.

"Tim" <Tim@nospamthankyoutikki.co.uk> wrote in message
news:Zm4wa.5441$5g4.1341@news-binary.blueyonder.co.uk...
> I got my (JR) radio gear second hand and found that the previous owner had
> operated with a whip aerial. As a result, the Rx antenna wire has been
> shortened to about 300mm. Reading previous posts, I get the impression
that
> whip aerials are not considered to be a good idea (because they reduce
> range?), but given that the antenna wire has already been shortened, where
> would be the best place to mount the aerial and in what orientation? (I
have
> a Quick UK base loaded aerial for 35MHz)
>
> Thanks
>
> Tim
>
>
> ---
> Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
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>
>

[Steve Simpson]

> I got my (JR) radio gear second hand and found that the previous owner had
> operated with a whip aerial. As a result, the Rx antenna wire has been
> shortened to about 300mm. Reading previous posts, I get the impression that
> whip aerials are not considered to be a good idea (because they reduce
> range?),

A lot of people use whip antennas without problems. In fact, nothing is noisier (signal wise)
than a gasser because of the spark ignition. When I went to a whip on mine, it eliminated a
reception dead spot . . nose in . . scary.

I don't know if a whip actually shortens the range somewhat, but if it does, it shortens it from
'a lot further than I can see' to 'much further than I can see', so in practical terms, it is on
no consequence.

> but given that the antenna wire has already been shortened, where
> would be the best place to mount the aerial and in what orientation? (I have
> a Quick UK base loaded aerial for 35MHz)

I would double check that the 300mm length is correct . . .

Mounting inside the canopy facing forward is the popular method that I use. It doesn't seem to
matter if the whip is bent to follow the canopy contour.

[Beav]

"Tim" <Tim@nospamthankyoutikki.co.uk> wrote in message
news:Zm4wa.5441$5g4.1341@news-binary.blueyonder.co.uk...
> I got my (JR) radio gear second hand and found that the previous owner had
> operated with a whip aerial. As a result, the Rx antenna wire has been
> shortened to about 300mm. Reading previous posts, I get the impression
that
> whip aerials are not considered to be a good idea (because they reduce
> range?),

If you've heard they're not considered a good idea, you've heard a load of
bollocks. Theyre are FAR more plus's than neg's using a Deans (or similar)

but given that the antenna wire has already been shortened, where
> would be the best place to mount the aerial and in what orientation? (I
have
> a Quick UK base loaded aerial for 35MHz)

It makes absolutely no difference at all. I've mounted them behind the
canopy, UNDER the canopy, on top of the Rx and even under the gyro and NEVER
had so much as a single problem. I don't fly with anything else and haven't
done for as long as I can remember.

If there's a range loss, it's not one that makes flying at a distance a
problem either, because you'll STILL be in control of the heli when it's so
far away you wan't be able to see the bugger.


--
Beav


Please note my E-mail address is "beavis dot original at ntlworld dot com"
(with the obvious changes)

Beavisland now lives at
www.beavisoriginal.co.uk


>
> Thanks
>
> Tim
>
>
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