Antenna mounting

[LynyrdSkynyrd]

Just out of curiosity I am looking to see suggestions on how to mount my antenna correctly. Just finished my first 50 and my boss (the wife) has allowed me to purchase the finishing touches. Flying this weekend weather permitting and thats the only thing I've been lazy about and not gotten done. Any thoughts?

[DavidH]

You have two choices.

1st. Get a based loaded antenna like the Revolution or Deans. This will require cutting the existing antenna wire off to between 4 to 6 inches left from the RX. Then you will solder on a connector to the wire antenna left on the rx and plug the wire from the base loaded to it.

2nd. Take the wire antenna from the reciever. IT is 39 inches long. Thread it thru the eyes on the landing gear on one side. Then secure it to the horizonital fin with a rubber band. You can make a restraining clamp by threading it thru a button or an arm from a servo star. Do this right where it will go thru the eye on the landing gear closest to the reciever. You can also use an antenna tube thru the eyes on the gear.

Just a couple of ideas.

David

[LynyrdSkynyrd]

Ok cool. I was confused because from what I understand the antenna needs to be routed in such a way that it is not parallel to the tail or struts. Seems like it would be if routed that way. Good to know I am just paranoid. Btw which would you say is easier to work with/conveinent?

[DavidH]

Both ways are easy to work with. I prefer the clean look of the base loaded antenna. I have used the Revolution brand base loaded for several years without problems.
The reasons I prefer the Revolution base loaded.
It is a stranded wire in the antenna tube and is not a solid piece of wire.
The base has hole that you use a 3mm screw to mount the antenna on the heli.

http://www.ronlund.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=heli&Product_Code=RVO1010


David

[playfair]

"It is a stranded wire in the antenna tube and is not a solid piece of wire"

And this is a good thing? Just yesterday a buddy of mine crashed because that tiny stranded 30ga wire broke internally where it solders to the choke. Makes me nervous because I am using one as well... Never heard of this happening with the solid deans wire though.

Anyway, this is an older pic, but you get the idea of how my antenna mounts in my Raptor. You just have to form some sort of bracket to hold it. I used dbl sided servo tape to secure under the tray.

http://www.frontiernet.net/~playfair/heli/deansmount.jpg