reelquick

Trying to fish through the fuse, would i be better off going through the side of fuse to the tail to leave more antenna exposed ?
Thank`s.

SeaJay

My Feedback: (6)

Reelquick..

Based upon the way you worded your question, I am Assuming that you are using a 72mHz system, and not a 2.4gHz system.. If you are indeed using a 72mHz system, people have been flying for years with the antenna running through the Fuse, with it dangling out the back..  As long as the Fuse is not made of Carbon fiber or wrapped in a Metallic type of Iron on covering that might interfere with the antennas reception..  as always tho, do a range check with the antenna down! from several areas around the aircraft to make sure your reception is good..

Craig.

GaryHarris

For 72 mHz I always glued pieces of fuel tubing or something about 1" long and routed the antennae along the underside of the fuse.

speedracerntrixie

My Feedback: (29)

[quote]ORIGINAL: SeaJay

Reelquick..

Based upon the way you worded your question, I am Assuming that you are using a 72mHz system, and not a 2.4gHz system.. If you are indeed using a 72mHz system, people have been flying for years with the antenna running through the Fuse, with it dangling out the back.. As long as the Fuse is not made of Carbon fiber or wrapped in a Metallic type of Iron on covering that might interfere with the antennas reception.. as always tho, do a range check with the antenna down! from several areas around the aircraft to make sure your reception is good..

Craig.
[/quot

Good advise here. If you have metalic pushrods, you will want to stay away from those as well. Usually 2" as a minimum

reelquick

OK ! Just what I was thinking. It worked back then ?
Rebuilding a 20 year old(brand new trainer) aircraft and an old tower 4 channel radio. Nothing fancy at all.
Last step and a handful of 64 rubber bands ! Thanks again guy`s!

JohnBuckner

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[8D]

JohnBuckner

My Feedback: (1)

On your #64's you will probably want more than just a handful. The typical forty sized trainer will need ten to twelve bands.

John

KitBuilder

I ran the antena thorugh an inner nyrod or similar inside the fuse.

Gray Beard

My Feedback: (-1)

Trainer: just out from the wing saddle and out to two small hole I drill into the stab, lace it through the two holes. I don't think there is a wrong way in a trainer.

JohnBuckner

My Feedback: (1)

Like GB says there are as many different ways to do this as there are flyers although the numbers are getting smaller now with 2.4 and our memories do tend to fade.

I would recomend especially on a trainer that you do route the antenna through a short piece of fuel line about an inch long and out a small hole in the bottom of the airplane. All the way to the rear where you simply loop that rubber band I illustrated in the photos and how to attach it to the antenna wire. In that photo I just looped the band over the tailwheel but for your trainer you simply push a dressmakers pin into the rear of the fuselage for the tension rubber band.

The fuel line is the abrasion protection out the hole that gary harris suggested and it provides the tension aginst the rubber band to keep the antenna tight aginst the fuselage bottom. Doing the clove hitch with the rubber band as I have shown in the pictures will not damage the antenna as some other old methods most certainly will. One of which was looping the antenna through a cutoff chunk of servo arm to provide a place to attach. I used to cringe every time I saw this as it can and will compromise a antenna.

I did get into the habit of using outside antennas along the bottom since for many years I have only used carbon fibre pushrods.

The reason I hate to see antennas run out a hole in the side under the wing saddle and the antenna stretched out to the tip of the vertical or horizontal stabiliser is it will constantly be in danger of damage from People even including you. With that exposed wire out there you will be amazed at how often you and you buddies will be kicking it accidently. Ripped out antennas from this kind of 'Hanger Rash' when antennas are used this way is and was very common.

There is no radio performance advantage at all over the fuselage mounted antenna either internal or external along the bottom.

John

jester_s1

If you really want to make it pretty take a 3/4 inch wide piece of that covering and lay it over the wire, then iron it down 1/4 inch or so on each side. It will protect and hide your antenna but will come off easily enough if you ever need to remove it.

CGRetired

My Feedback: (1)

One point not clearly covered here is that if you do run the antenna through a tube within the fuselage, don't just pull it through and leave it. Make sure you have some sort of "strain relief" or some sort of method of keeping the antenna from snaking back into the fuselage. This can and will happen if you don't put something on the end of the antenna wire to prevent it from going back in. This is caused by vibration.

If it does snake back, it will most likely ball up and you will lose the radio signal from the transmitter and most likely will have an accident.

CGr.

reelquick

Rubber band with the T pin OK ?
Thanks for all the input fella`s .
When I show up at the field I wanna get the A-OK to go.
I am triple checking every thing as I do with the Helli and seen to find something that could be better.....And I adjust to make it worry free.

CGRetired

My Feedback: (1)

Yeah. Anything that will keep it straight and from snaking back into the fuselage will work just fine. Heck, if the amount of antenna sticking out at the rear of the fuselage isn't that long, you can put a wad of hot-glue. That peels right off when you need it to.

On one plane that I was operating at 72 MHz, I streched the antenna along the bottom of the fuselage, held it in place with small pieces of tape, and ran a strip of covering to match the bottom along over the antenna wire and adhered it along side both sides of the wire with a covering iron.

It didn't show and worked just fine.

CGr.

JohnBuckner

My Feedback: (1)

Yes any kind of pin will work. Its just something to stretch the band a bit and hook to. I said dressmakers pins because they have that little plastic ball and are unobtrusive.

I know you want everything right when you go to the field but do not depend just on these forums. They can in noway substitute for first hand inspection Please get someone at the field to look the airplane over also.

John