Rx antenna questions

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Randy Maheux - 09 Feb 2007 15:52 GMT

My nephew and I are "playing" with RC boats and it is all new to me. I
would like to be able to move the receiver and ESC from one boat to
another. Mounting them isn't a problem, but I don't know what to do
about the antenna (fixed to the receiver). Here are a couple of questions:

Is there a way to put a disconnect in the antenna wire near the
receiver? Would some kind of mini-jack from Radio Shack work? What
about using one wire of a JR type connector?

How critical is antenna length? I've seen models with similar radios
using antenna lengths between 12" and 30".

What difference does the gage of the antenna wire make? That which
comes with the receiver is a fairly fine size - one that Radio Shack
doesn't carry. Could I use 24 gage braided copper wire?

TIA,
Randy

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Marc Heusser - 09 Feb 2007 17:15 GMT

> My nephew and I are "playing" with RC boats and it is all new to me. I
> would like to be able to move the receiver and ESC from one boat to
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> receiver? Would some kind of mini-jack from Radio Shack work? What
> about using one wire of a JR type connector?

Works, but be sure to use good connectors (like gold plated, and spring
loaded) unless you want to kill your reception signal completely.

> How critical is antenna length? I've seen models with similar radios
> using antenna lengths between 12" and 30".

Longer is bettter (longer range) but arrangement (elevation, straight
not coiled) matters too.

> What difference does the gage of the antenna wire make? That which
> comes with the receiver is a fairly fine size - one that Radio Shack
> doesn't carry. Could I use 24 gage braided copper wire?

The size does not make any difference - if anything not oxidized helps.

HTH

Marc

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John - 09 Feb 2007 20:57 GMT

Randy Maheux;271 Wrote:

> My nephew and I are "playing" with RC boats and it is all new to me. I
> would like to be able to move the receiver and ESC from one boat to
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
> TIA,
> Randy

Don't make the antenna any shorter than what it is and make sure you do
plenty of range testing on the shore before you launch your boat.

Signature

John

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William - 03 Mar 2007 05:38 GMT

> My nephew and I are "playing" with RC boats and it is all new to me. I
> would like to be able to move the receiver and ESC from one boat to
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> Would some kind of mini-jack from Radio Shack work? What about using one
> wire of a JR type connector?

Pretty much anything with good, low resistance, sprung contacts will do.
Since it is exposed to water, you should definitely use gold plated
contacts.

> How critical is antenna length? I've seen models with similar radios
> using antenna lengths between 12" and 30".

Length does matter, but whether it matters enough is the question. Ideallly
you want your receiver antenna wire to be related to the radio's target
wavelength by factors like 1/4, 1/2, etc. (there are other factors, but
that's the
basic idea). But it's safe to assume that the receiver manufacturer picked a
length that was suited to the circuit and reasonable for the model - a 1/4
wave antenna would probably be physically too long. (You could try doubling
it to see if range improves, though.)

> What difference does the gage of the antenna wire make? That which comes
> with the receiver is a fairly fine size - one that Radio Shack doesn't
> carry. Could I use 24 gage braided copper wire?

Probably. RF tends to travel on the surface of conductors so a little more
surface might do some good. (On the other hand, it might also detune the
receiver in some cases where the circuit is fussy.) Give it a try and
compare it to the original. (If you need finer wire, a hobby shop may carry
it.)

-Wm

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funfly3 - 03 Mar 2007 10:24 GMT

>> My nephew and I are "playing" with RC boats and it is all new to me. I
>> would like to be able to move the receiver and ESC from one boat to
[quoted text clipped - 32 lines]
>
> -Wm

the new Spektrum sets would be ideal as they only have very short
aerials 29mm

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BCRandy - 06 Mar 2007 21:26 GMT

Spektrum equipment is on my list - I'm a realtor and I have
to sell a house first!

>>> My nephew and I are "playing" with RC boats and it is
>>> all new to me. I would like to be able to move the
[quoted text clipped - 49 lines]
> the new Spektrum sets would be ideal as they only have
> very short aerials 29mm

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Model Forum / Radio Controlled / Water Models / March 2007

Rx antenna questions