Base Loaded TX antennas?

[minifly]

I have built several base loaded rx antennas, all with excellent range.

However, now that i have my rx antenna length sorted out, i would like to know if there is any way to adapt these antennas to go in my tx...would i simply put them in upside down or is there more to it than that? :confused:

I'm guessing that there is, and that base loaded antennas aren't suitable for transmission, otherwise they would be more common... :censored:

Are there any references that I'm missing? Is there an easy way to make 'rubber ducky' antennas that i don't know about?

the antenna ( http://www.iroquois.free-online.co.uk/aerial.htm ) that I'm using is in an RX-4"-10uH-7" configuration...

Thanks for any help,
Minifly

[pinolefm1]

http://smileyantenna.com/index.php?cPath=33

HTH

steve

[spritefiend]

is it common to see base loaded antennas inside of sailplanes?

[webguyjv]

Those Smiley RC Duck antennas are excellent (IMO). Sorry, needed that disclaimer cuz I'm sure there will be those that disagree.

I have an RC Duck on my Hitec Flash 5 and it works great. When I bought it, I had heard people saying that it is more directional than a strandard telescoping antenna. That being said, I have not had any problems with it. I have had nothing but great success with it's rugged construction -- no more bent antennas from dropping the TX (ask Wildoldcat - he left the TX on top of my car on the way back from Los Banos Creek Reservoir - DOH!).

As for based-loaded antennas for the RX, I know that they are out there, and I have a couple of the antennas made by Azarr. They work very well. As to how many airplanes (statistically) have them -- I have no idea.

Happy Flying ;-)

John

[hydrogin]

Besides the Smiley duck antennas ... John over at HKM sells the Becker 72Mhz base-loaded antennas for use on Evo's, JR's, etc.:

http://www.hkm-models.com/Accessories.htm

JR also sells their own base-loaded antenna for their Tx's.

You might want to post in the Radios and DIY Forums for more info on DIY Tx antennas. You'll probably get an earful about FCC regulations regarding mods to your Tx, etc.

On the Rx side, I use the Lightenna in a few of my slope ships:

http://www.shortantenna.com/

I think the only difference between the home-made antennas and the Lightenna and Azaar antennas is they have equipment to "tune" the antenna. I'm guessing this means they can measure the parasitic resistance in the inductors they use to get a better match.


Lance

[hydrogin]

ps. Just noticed you're in South Africa. The Becker antennas are available in other bands besides 72Mhz. They come with a little sticker that indicates the band that they're designed to operate in.


Lance

[wackyd]

I use a Power Stick Antenna,..Works great....http://www.hobby-lobby.com/antennas.htm

[raptor22]

Why do you want to make it smaller, though? The big antennae looks cool.

--Alex

[PGR]

is it common to see base loaded antennas inside of sailplanes?Not if they have a carbon fiber fuselage. Bad juju, that!

And it will depend on what kind of sailplane. Thermal planes which are often flown to the limits of visual contact aren't good candidates for base loaded RX antennas. Slopers are, though.

I have an RC Duck on my Hitec Flash 5 and it works great. When I bought it, I had heard people saying that it is more directional than a strandard telescoping antenna. That being said, I have not had any problems with it.A steel whip radiates it's worst signal strength off the end of the antenna. Helical-wound antennas like the Smiley radiate their best signal strength off the end. I was a skeptic about this until I dug out my trusty Heathkit Field Strength Meter and tested it myself and I'm no longer in doubt.

Bottom line: Pointing your steel whip at your plane isn't a good idea. Pointing your Power Duck at it is.

I'm a big advocate of Peter Berg's Peel & Stick (http://ecsvr.com/RC-Direct/shopexd.asp?id=920) RX antenna. I have them in several of my planes and they're the only short antenna I've ever used that haven't caused me any grief. I've had at least some glitching and control problems with every other short antenna I've tried but the Peel & Sticks have been problem-free even at the limits of visual contact.

Pete

[spritefiend]

PGR: im glad you mentioned the difference between the whip and the rubber duck antenna's, as there definately is a difference between the two.

the peel & stick antenna looks pretty sweet! making it an antenna sticker is genius ;)

Not if they have a carbon fiber fuselage. Bad juju, that!

haha i was wondering about that! im still new to sailplanes, with a full carbon fuse are you stuck with a full lenght antenna? are they usually routed through the fuse?

[Cody WIlson]

I had a base loaded antenna for long time- worked well. But I missed the long antenna- like tying some yarn to the tip as a wind indicator.

Watch the little brass pin at the base- they like to snap off.....