How much can pushrods affect range due to absorption?

[Peter W]

If you have your rx's receiver wire between two wire pushrods for a substantial length, just how much can it have an effect on radio range?
I think I may have lost a plane on a maiden flight due to this but can not be sure.
Are there any fair tests done on how much pushords can affect the range of a radio system?
Does having the aerial parellel to the pushrods but not actually running between them make a differene? i.e. aerial is outside of plane going to top of the tail.

Pete:)

[Sparky Paul]

I doubt there's any measureable effect from pushrods.
On my Eindecker the antenna goes thru 6 cables to the empennage, with no ill effects.

[Ollie]

Do a ground range check (transmitter antenna removed or collapsed) with the receiver antenna run outside the fuselage well away from any metal and record the distance. Then route the receiver antenna along side the pushrods and do another ground range check. I'm willing to bet that there will be little difference in range unless the metal pushrods are grounded to the receiver. If there is little difference in ground range, then there will be little difference in energy absorbtion by the pushrods.

Modern radios generally have plenty of range. The practise of routing the antenna outside the fuselage started a very long time ago when radios had marginal range at best and every tiny precaution had to be taken to maximize range.

[Peter W]

so basically with modern radio gear it is not necessary to route aerials away from pushrods?
I guess even if max range was halved, you would still have enough to fly most planes normally.

Pete:)

[Sparky Paul]

Note the thread on an electric plane altitude record... halving that distance, the plane would -still- have been invisible without optical aid. :)

[hoppy]

Pete,
You can be the pioneer in that research. Set up a dummy body with some pushrods in the postion they were in your plane as well as the antenna. Attach one servo to the Rx for monitoring loss of signal. Just use a piece of styrofoam to hold the parts and than do a range check. I would check it at 20' intervals in 3 different positions. 1 - plane head on, 2 - plane at right angles with pushrods and antenna all lined up in a row (where signal has to pass thru/around pushrod tro see antenna), and 3 - at right angles with the pushrods and antenna in a vertical arrangement (so the TX can see all three elements). Be sure and use a cheapo Rx that doesn't just freeze when it loses signal)
hoppy

[Peter W]

I would love to do reasearch, but i'm a poor defenceless 17 year old with no money:) I NEVER have spare parts laying around as some people in this forum do.
I had a C50 laying around so I bought a plane for it.......etc;)
It's just that some instructors that tought me to fly think it makes a difference, but these guys are 'experienced' so maybe they still think of older, less reliable gear?

Pete:)

[hoppy]

Well, it's certainly a possibility. As a ham radio operator and a cell phone user, I can attest that the signals can be loss due to obstructions, antenna orientations, etc. A ROTO owner posted a problem with loss of signal which was cured by moving the antenna out on the wing. I've also flown in a park area with my TX antenna down (by mistake), so there you go.

Did you cut the antenna wire?

hoppy