Who has used what "whip" antenna with what results?

[JAS]

Hi All,

I was curious to know who has used a whip antenna on their big bird (not the big yellow one) and what were the reasons for using it? Also, what brand whip antenna did you use and what where the results you got from it? Any install trips/tricks?

Thanks,
Jason

[snap a saurus]

Hi Jason
I have the whip antenna in my bad ass Yak, two of them since I have two receivers, reason is I couldn't get a good range with antennas inside the fuse, I installed the: Deans mini antenna, they sell two versions, one is permanent and one you can screw and unscrew part # 1102, very easy install, mine are on the bottom sides under the wings.
After installed the whip antennas range was plenty and they work for both made 1 and mode 2.

[iflyrc3Dstyle]

JAS,

I am over here in Germany and that is all they use. Not bad looking at all, just saves space and you dont have to worry about than attena wire hanging out your plane. They are easy screw on application. The way it works is you measure the whip antenna and then cut that exact length off the receiver antenna and then solder the receiver antenna to the whip antenna. From what I have saw the results are excellent. I am not sure what brand they are using but I will do some research for you and try to figure it out. I hope this helps.

[bodywerks]

http://www.rc-cam.com/ant_exp.htm
might want to take a look at this site and some of the actual testing done with those and other antenna modifications. It's really just food for thought, since I have seen whip antennas used successfully on jets and other big birds.

[Kiwi]

I have been using the deans antennas, cut the original between 4 and 10 inches and solder on the plug.

They work excellent and have some sort of base loading or amplification. I have had them hanging under the plane and mounted on the turtle deck scale like.

I swear by them, my range testing has always improved and I have never had a hit that I can attribute to the antenna. Plus to my simple mind it saves that durn antenna getting blanked out by rudder pull pull cables etc.

Just my two bobs worth but I certainly like them.

Kiwi

[RTK]

From the article that bodyworks posted, it looks like nothing beats the stock set-up. Except lengthening the antenna.

[Kiwi]

RTK.

Definitely that information goes against what I find. However looking at it carefully maybe there's a reason.

I had a pattern plane that would never stop jittering on the servos, The RX was an FMA 8 channel setup with the autopilot option on board. No matter what I done I could not stop it chattering. I blamed every gurn durn thing under the sun, pull pull wires, fully charged batteries, radio too close when doing the test. You name it I tried it. I chopped the antenna and fitted the whip and things settled down straight away. Not perfect but a whole lot better than the original setup. I still fly that thing today.

Now recently those who own FUTABA 14MZ's using the 2048 PCM rx's were told to cut the antenna to 21 inches as there were a few guys having issues with failsafe and false hits. I suppose what they were doing was desensitizing the antenna. So when you look at what I done to fix my pattern plane it was likely the same. The whip antenna reduced the antenna gain and the glitching went away.

So now heres the 64 million dollar question. Is it best t have a highly sensitive antenna that picks up every bit of stray RF within a 5 mile radius or an antenna that is detuned and less vunerable but still way capable of flying your plane at a range that you cant see it anyway.

Thats a question guys so if anyone can chime in I would love to know the consensus of opinions.

Kiwi

[RTK]

Agreed, it would have been nice if he would have also done some actual range testing too.
If you are decreasing the range from lets say 3mi to 2mi, that is of no consequence to us.

[bodywerks]

Those are very good points. The amplifier may not show up as a recordable value to that DB meter, and actual range test might have been of more help. I do know that coiling the antenna is detrimental to the range, though - ask me how I know!

[Colonel Klank]

Kiwi: Where do things stand with the 2.4 GHz Spread Spectrum for RC aircraft? It will only use a stub antenna on both the Rx and Tx.
Thanks.
Patrick

[Kiwi]

Patrick.

There are far more qualified people out there to answer that question than me. Before I end up with some kind of foot in mouth disease I will pass on even attempting to answer that question.

However there is another thread on this site regarding powerboxes etc and in that someone had some good information. There is also a thread on that new Xtreme power systems receiver and transmitter module (2.4 Ghz) with lots of very good information on the 2.4 Ghz funcionality and pros and cons.

Yes they do have a small rubber duck antenna the same as a wireless router but they can be bigger as I have a booster on my home internet wireless setup and it is a very big antenna. Mate thats about all I know about 2.4 Ghz so far.

Kiwi

[RTK]

	Quote: Originally Posted by bodywerks
	I do know that coiling the antenna is detrimental to the range, though - ask me how I know!

Sometimes I learn faster that way too

I saw those new 2.4 set-ups being advertised. Are they legal and acceptable by the FCC/AMA???