Model Forum / Radio Controlled / Land Models / October 2005

I actually keep mine "pre-bent" towards the rear of the truck (looks more
aerodynamic!) so when I roll it it doesn't get all FUBARED.  Long and short
of it is, no, there aren't any tubes that won't retain their bent shape.

If you went with a Spektrum 2.4Ghz system the rx lead is so darn small you
wouldn't even have an antenna tube, but that's eliminating the problem, not
a solution.

Doc

Use hair dryer to warm it.  Bent it in opposite direction.

Bent antenna does not matter, actually gives better aerodynamic.

I am also picky about my truck looking good.  The Lord knows I can't
drive, so I should at least make a nice appearance.

For all my play vehicles I keep the antenna under the body.  I find my
range is not reduced enough to matter.  With my MX-3 radio I can drive
farther then I can safely see, so who cares if I lose 50 feet that I
never use?  How I do this varies by car.  For some I take the antenna
tube and set it up like normal.  Then using a dryer I bend it down and
make a big ? out of it.  Once the body is on, the anteanna is covered.
You can mount a piece of lexan 5" long by 1" wide.  Wrap the antenna
wire around it, taking up as much room as you can.  Wrap in tape and
lay flat under body.  On my Twin Force I ran the antenna back and forth
between the front body posts and taped it there.

For my race truck I have a normal antenna.  I cut a hole in the side of
the tube about 1.5" up from the bottom.  I stuck the tube in the hole
in the chassis.  I then fed the antenna wire in the hole and up.  Once
done I slid some heat-shrink down and covered the hole in the tube
where the wire went in and heated it.  Now when I am done for the day I
remove the body.  I pull the antenna tube out of the hole and lay it
flat.  I then put the body back on and put it in the bag.  I was
thinking of stashing the tube under the body but was afraid with 10
people racing at once things might get wonky.  Will try it some day and
see how it works.