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Duck antenna in racing conditions - 10/16/2007 7:36:28 PM   
vicman



Posts: 6080
Joined: 12/8/2002
From: Valdese, NC, USA
Status: offline 		I got my 3-pole cherry this weekend and was very distracted mentally with my antenna waving around while negotiating two and three. I got thinking about the duck antennas and how that would allow me to stay in my space much easier and allow me to focus on the plane only.

Please comment on good and bad experiences I had the card in my hand and decided to post this first. The thing only cost $25 and I'm not flying F1 or anything but I don't want issues.
I am using a 9C with no intention to go to 2.4 anytime soon.

Thanks


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RE: Duck antenna in racing conditions - 10/16/2007 7:46:53 PM   
Super Splatter



Posts: 382
Joined: 3/21/2006
From: , MN, USA
Status: offline 		Buy the 2.4 module for 9C

I have old stuff myself and I when there's a 2.4 gig guy is next to me it's odd. I expect to have to duck when he spins around.

spread spectrum will change things here in Minnesota, we're talking about making the racing matrix based on placement.

Good racers, race good racers, no more channel hogging. Brave new world, bring it on Dogg. Or we can do the same old thing and race the same old matrix. yawn.. lets watch nascar..

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RE: Duck antenna in racing conditions - 10/16/2007 7:54:26 PM   
vicman



Posts: 6080
Joined: 12/8/2002
From: Valdese, NC, USA
Status: offline 		I have way too many recievers in all kinds of planes to change to 2.4 right now. I am also quite satisfied with the performance I have right now. For $25 it looks like an easy thing to do.

I like NASCAR fwiw. I gave up driving full scale stock cars for a family and rc planes. Yep I am a boring guy.


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RE: Duck antenna in racing conditions - 10/16/2007 10:30:43 PM   
DonStegall


 

Posts: 617
Joined: 8/8/2005
From: Monroe, NC, USA
Status: offline 		Vic,

After using both the 2.4GHz short antenna and the regular antennas on the course, I understand why you want the shorter antenna. For $25 it is an easy thing to do. I've got to place an order with Northeast Sailplane for hinge gap seal tape and I think I'll go ahead and get one or more for my 72 MHz radios. Unless someone knows of a reason to not use the RC Power Duck antennas.

You will get used to people around you while you fly with a little time. It takes some race or multi-plane practice. This is one area of the 3 pole challenge that long timers forget about when they compare 3 pole to 2 pole racing. It's almost like playing guitar on a small stage. The first few times your tuners get bumped while you're playing, it can really whack your groove.

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RE: Duck antenna in racing conditions - 10/16/2007 10:58:45 PM   
fizzwater2


 

Posts: 741
Joined: 8/16/2004
From: Paola, KS, USA
Status: offline 		I used to use one on an Ace Micropro transmitter, or my Pro-line transmitter, and it was great for racing, didn't worry about whacking anyone or anything with your antenna.

A couple of races back I almost lost a plane on the way to one the first lap when someone elses caller ran right into my standard whip antenna. I'm thinking about getting a duck for my newer radios, too.

G

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RE: Duck antenna in racing conditions - 10/16/2007 11:07:49 PM   
scausey



Posts: 27
Joined: 10/2/2005
From: Springfield, MO, USA
Status: offline 		One thing to consider is that if your flying Q40 that would cost around $1500+, and it's traveling at 190mph, would you trust a $25 ant. that the mfg doesn't supply??? I would do a lot of testing and find the coverage that it would carry before racing with it. I have more of a problem with hitting my caller than anything else. I personally would not trust the duck flying my Q40...

S. Causey
NMPRA 20v

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RE: Duck antenna in racing conditions - 10/17/2007 1:41:58 PM   
vicman



Posts: 6080
Joined: 12/8/2002
From: Valdese, NC, USA
Status: offline 		SC,
I am aware of how much a plane cost. Also the damage one can do with a high speed projectile. The request is for experience not for unsubstanitated speculation and critical thinking. For the reason of not wanting to lose a model or cause damage I am asking for guidance.
This wasn't posted in beginner or parkflyer threads for a reason.

< Message edited by vicman -- 10/17/2007 3:22:43 PM >


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RE: Duck antenna in racing conditions - 10/17/2007 1:58:16 PM   
HighPlains


 

Posts: 2640
Joined: 3/2/2003
From: Over da rainbow, KS, USA
Status: online 		Rubber ducks have been used for many years. But before changing, you should consider the advantage of the long antenna. If you wack another pilot with it across the right ear, they generally blow their next turn.

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RE: Duck antenna in racing conditions - 10/17/2007 2:57:35 PM   
fizzwater2


 

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From: Paola, KS, USA
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quote:

ORIGINAL: HighPlains

If you wack another pilot with it across the right ear, they generally blow their next turn.


Gives a whole new meaning to "duck" antenna...



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RE: Duck antenna in racing conditions - 10/17/2007 3:26:25 PM   
vicman



Posts: 6080
Joined: 12/8/2002
From: Valdese, NC, USA
Status: offline 		It was crazy. I just got done saying how I was distracted with the antenna and other people around me. The guy hosting the race and coaching me says "Don't worry, you won't hit anyone we are all out of the way." The very next stinkin lap I come around 2&3 and whackkko I hit someone. While he felt bad about being in the way it blew my concentration again.


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RE: Duck antenna in racing conditions - 10/17/2007 3:55:29 PM   
JohnBuckner



Posts: 3824
Joined: 12/23/2001
From: Kingman, AZ, USA
Status: online 		I raced 424, 428 for perhaps eight years mostly the southwest: Speedworld, Basin, Whittier Narrows and Las Vegas.

Now I have had to drop three pole racing due to my physical condition and not being as mobile in my wheelchair as I once was. So now I race six times a year in two pole RCPro warbird at Speedworld, Kingman Az. and Victorville, Ca.


After my first experiances in three pole at Las Vegas I went the Smiley duck route and never looked back. Not only have they proven just as effective but a far better option when using 72. Not only is there less distraction with an antenna in front of your face but a big advantage when playing dueling antennas.
Additionally they are a big advantages on the starting line when starting.

I now have converted all my current Tx's except one SS Tx to the smiley's, Seven Tx's with adapters and four antenna's. All but the pink one


John

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RE: Duck antenna in racing conditions - 10/17/2007 4:46:21 PM   
vicman



Posts: 6080
Joined: 12/8/2002
From: Valdese, NC, USA
Status: offline 		Thanks John!
You and Fizz are the type experience I was hoping to read. I was thinking about getting the yellow one.

Next time you are out near Victorville you need to hook up with the SoCal chapter of the Revver Brotherhood at Rabbit Lake. They have a great time togeather.


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RE: Duck antenna in racing conditions - 10/17/2007 6:12:31 PM   
luv to race


 

Posts: 465
Joined: 12/10/2002
From: Liquored, FL,
Status: offline 		"Base loaded", "rubber ducky" antenna's should be OUTLAWED period. Too many scatter brained nut-balls out there that leave their radios on in the pits after their heat race... And shoot down their competitors.

THANK GOD FOR 2.4ghz.

R.Bridge

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RE: Duck antenna in racing conditions - 10/17/2007 6:36:27 PM   
gunfighter


 

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From: Canyon Lake, TX, USA
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quote:

Too many scatter brained nut-balls out there that leave their radios on in the pits after their heat race... And shoot down their competitors.

What does that have to do with the antenna?

I used a "rubber ducky" for several years in R/C combat and never had any problems at all. Not racing, but a similar environment.

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RE: Duck antenna in racing conditions - 10/17/2007 7:03:26 PM   
JohnBuckner



Posts: 3824
Joined: 12/23/2001
From: Kingman, AZ, USA
Status: online 		Randy yes the new technology is wonderful but I suspect 72 will be around for many years to come. Either type antenna can just as easily shoot down someone wh