Whip Antenna?

[Flyinrazrback]

anyone run a whip antenna on their rx in giant scale or 3d planes? just ask because I have a rx with a revolution whip antenna installed (was in a heli) and now want to use it in a pattern plane

[Tailchaser]

Thats a good question, seems almost all europeans use them, at least alot more than anyone in the states. I was wondering that too as the planes I have 2, 3W planes are already setup in the fuse for them. It would seem to be a better deal.

Chuck

[Fly-guy]

I know that quite a few of the guys down here use them. RCDart is one tht comes to mind, he uses them in a 2.6m Yak and Extra. Can't see a problem.

[Charrua]

I use a Deans antena on most of my planes!!!! it works finne if not even better!!!

[Flyinrazrback]

Thanks, are they mounted internally?

[rcdart]

Yep, I use two on both my 2.6 extra and my 2.6 yak, no problems at all, apart from some people that give me a bit of sh%t because I have them mounted side by side like bugs antennae

[xtreem3d]

i used to use the whip antennaes mostly because i like the "european" look.in order to use them you have to cut down the antennae wire to about 4 inches. this started to cause problems because that forced me to mount all the electronics at the back of the canopies in order for there to be enough room to let the antennae exit..so... now i just use a normal rx and an antennae tube mounted wherever i want and run the antennae through the fuse and out the tube. at the top of the tube i "pinch the antennae in place w/ a small cap..very similar to an r/c car. now i can mount anything anywhere and still get the look i'm after. done this on 4 planes w/ no isuues.here's a pic of a katana i did.

[Charrua]

I got mine mounted right behind the canopy/hatch sticking outside!!!!
see pic!!!

[Steve Campbell]

I have been using base-load whips since 1992; mainly in helicopters but occasionally in a plank. Got one in a ShowTime right now; like you, I had a rx that came out of a heli and didn't see the need to go back to the one meter wire antenna.

As with anything, there are a few caveats. Try to keep the antenna as isolated from other RF sources (servos, batteries, metal pushrods, etc.) as you can. Certain types of metallic-backed covering will block the incoming signal, and I wouldn't use one in a composite fuselage due to possible Faraday Cage Effect complications.

But in a normal wood structure with regular plastic film or traditional (silk & dope) covering, I wouldn't hesitate. I've done it enough, with no issues, to feel comfortable about it.

I like the idea (and the look) of those external whips. When I do a kit, its easy to build a fudelage-length tube in as you go. But some ARFs make it a real PITA to get the antenna in properly.

I had one of those tube-style boat antenna housings around here somewhere. If I can find it, I just may ty it on this little Matt Chapman CAP 580 I'm doing. Or, I may just fabricate my own.

Thanks for the idea...

[forgues research]

For what its worth, I only use whip antenas, but not base loaded,,, I use a piano wire that will stick out of the airplane, simply cut the wire from the receiver that it replaced.

Very easy to do.

Roger