Zagi 'MK II' has MAJOR range problems. Advice?

Ben C · Jun 09, 2001, 02:00 PM

I took Zagi ‘MARK II’ in her new livery for her first flight today. She was a *dog* to fly, pitching up repeatedly, but not consistently with the gusts of wind. I eventually managed to wrestle her to the ground. We were baffled – tail weight? Nose weight? etc. Finally someone said ‘Have you tried a range check?’ D’oh – the one time I forget!!

Anyway, I collapsed the tx antenna, put it on the ground and walked away from it whilst holding the plane, motor off. Not 10 feet away, the servos start to chatter and 10-15 feet away, they go wild.

I’ve tried eight combinations – two transmitters, using channel 68 and 69, and doing a range check at home and at the club (some 15 miles apart). They all have the same result. That should rule out the tx, the xtals and the location (no background interference). So what could it be? Either:

1) I covered the Zagi with silver Oracover/Profilm/Ultracote. If it were metallised (I don’t know) it would cause problems as the aerial runs under the covering.

2) The aerial goes in a rectangular loop (as per the instructions). Unfortunately this causes it to go directly under the motor and perpendicular to the metal control rods.

Any suggestions on what I can do? It looks like I’ll have to strip off the covering.

Nooooo!

Thanks in advance,
Ben C

Ben C · Jun 09, 2001, 02:10 PM

PS. I use a Hitec 555 which served me fine in the old zagi.

Ben C · Jun 09, 2001, 03:40 PM

I just separated the layers of the Oracover, and yes, there is a metallic layer which I have tested with a voltmeter. Guess what? It conducts electricity. It is metal foil.

I can now congratulate myself on flying a plane with an almost perfectly sheilded receiver. Let this be a warning to everyone out there thinking of using silver/chrome ultracote!

Ben C

[This message has been edited by Ben C (edited 06-09-2001).]

hoppy · Jun 09, 2001, 03:42 PM

Use a different TX with the antenna hanging outside the plane.
hoppy

leccyflyer · Jun 09, 2001, 07:03 PM

Ben

The chrome Profilm has been blamed for interference problems in the past. You probably hit the nail right on the head and unfortunately lifting the aerial outside of the covering might not help if the bottom of your Zagi is covered with the chrome film as well the aerial might well still be shielded by the film.

Looks like you might well have to strip off the covering.

Brian

Jun 09, 2001, 02:00 PM	#1
Ben C Registered User Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: UK Posts: 466	Zagi 'MK II' has MAJOR range problems. Advice? I took Zagi ‘MARK II’ in her new livery for her first flight today. She was a dog to fly, pitching up repeatedly, but not consistently with the gusts of wind. I eventually managed to wrestle her to the ground. We were baffled – tail weight? Nose weight? etc. Finally someone said ‘Have you tried a range check?’ D’oh – the one time I forget!! Anyway, I collapsed the tx antenna, put it on the ground and walked away from it whilst holding the plane, motor off. Not 10 feet away, the servos start to chatter and 10-15 feet away, they go wild. I’ve tried eight combinations – two transmitters, using channel 68 and 69, and doing a range check at home and at the club (some 15 miles apart). They all have the same result. That should rule out the tx, the xtals and the location (no background interference). So what could it be? Either: 1) I covered the Zagi with silver Oracover/Profilm/Ultracote. If it were metallised (I don’t know) it would cause problems as the aerial runs under the covering. 2) The aerial goes in a rectangular loop (as per the instructions). Unfortunately this causes it to go directly under the motor and perpendicular to the metal control rods. Any suggestions on what I can do? It looks like I’ll have to strip off the covering. Nooooo! Thanks in advance, Ben C

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Jun 09, 2001, 02:10 PM	#2
Ben C Registered User Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: UK Posts: 466	PS. I use a Hitec 555 which served me fine in the old zagi.

Jun 09, 2001, 03:40 PM	#3
Ben C Registered User Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: UK Posts: 466	I just separated the layers of the Oracover, and yes, there is a metallic layer which I have tested with a voltmeter. Guess what? It conducts electricity. It is metal foil. I can now congratulate myself on flying a plane with an almost perfectly sheilded receiver. Let this be a warning to everyone out there thinking of using silver/chrome ultracote! Ben C [This message has been edited by Ben C (edited 06-09-2001).]

Jun 09, 2001, 03:42 PM	#4
hoppy Registered User Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Key West Posts: 13,118	Use a different TX with the antenna hanging outside the plane. hoppy

Jun 09, 2001, 07:03 PM	#5
leccyflyer Get One Up! Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Cheshire, England Posts: 9,302	Ben The chrome Profilm has been blamed for interference problems in the past. You probably hit the nail right on the head and unfortunately lifting the aerial outside of the covering might not help if the bottom of your Zagi is covered with the chrome film as well the aerial might well still be shielded by the film. Looks like you might well have to strip off the covering. Brian