Rx antenna in a Carbon Fiber tube?
12-26-2003, 11:19 AM
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Rx antenna in a Carbon Fiber tube?
I building a wing, and using a CF tube in it. I was wondering if running the antenna inside it will cause range or other problems.
12-26-2003, 11:31 AM
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RE: Rx antenna in a Carbon Fiber tube?
BIGTIME problem! CF is electrically conductive, like metal! It would be just the same as running your antenna inside a metal tube. Radio waves will not penetrate. I once touched both leads of a car battery pack to a cf chassis plate-instant arc welder.
12-26-2003, 01:28 PM
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RE: Rx antenna in a Carbon Fiber tube?
That's what I thought, but I was looking at the RCM Bug plans, and it seems they are running it down inside the CF tube? In my other plane, I have CF pushrods, and I keep it WAY away from it. I just thought it would be an easy wasy to hide it inside a flying wing, but I guess I will also just put in a plastic tube for it. Thanks for the help.
12-26-2003, 04:59 PM
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RE: Rx antenna in a Carbon Fiber tube?
Cf is conductive,I have never tried it but I would be very nervous about using it as an antenna sleeve,even with range check.
01-02-2004, 01:36 AM
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RE: Rx antenna in a Carbon Fiber tube?
Just a bit of info and CF. Two CF control rods running the length of the fuselage. They make contact with each other where they cross to opposite sides of the fuselage. When they move, they make a lot of RF noise as they slide alongside each other. MAJOR radio glitches. I'll never do it that way again, and have to change the set up before it flys again.
Don't run you antenna inside a CF tube. You're begging for trouble.
Don't run you antenna inside a CF tube. You're begging for trouble.
01-02-2004, 02:43 AM
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RE: Rx antenna in a Carbon Fiber tube?
I had to see for myself. I put a multi meter to a length of CF tube and lo and behold, it reads continuity! It rings with some resistance, but not much and it is definately conductive. Good to know in case someone wants to run some CF pushrods or spars.
Jesse
Jesse
01-02-2004, 07:45 AM
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RE: Rx antenna in a Carbon Fiber tube?
Maybe they should put warning stickers on this stuff so people don't have to find out the hard way. I might have used it to house an antenna not knowing any better. But I do range check my radio with the engine runnin - especially new and repaired planes so chances are I would have caught it, but still.
01-02-2004, 02:41 PM
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RE: Rx antenna in a Carbon Fiber tube?
Carbon is the main ingredient in Steel,........
The Sullivan push rods "Precision Rods" I think they are called, do not have enough carbon to cause an RF problem, but I still wouldn't run an antenna through it.
The Sullivan push rods "Precision Rods" I think they are called, do not have enough carbon to cause an RF problem, but I still wouldn't run an antenna through it.
01-03-2004, 01:13 AM
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RE: Rx antenna in a Carbon Fiber tube?
I beg my antenna tubes from the LHS. They get their music wire in clear plastic tubes about 5/16" in diameter and 4' long.
01-03-2004, 05:17 AM
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RE: Rx antenna in a Carbon Fiber tube?
ORIGINAL: 3DFanatic
I don't bother with antenna tubes...excess weight.
I don't bother with antenna tubes...excess weight.
01-06-2004, 10:53 PM
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RE: Rx antenna in a Carbon Fiber tube?
ORIGINAL: Jemo
Carbon is the main ingredient in Steel,........
Carbon is the main ingredient in Steel,........
From [link=http://www.thefabricator.com/xp/Fabricator/Articles/Welding/Weld03/03web304.xml]http://www.thefabricator.com/xp/Fabricator/Articles/Welding/Weld03/03web304.xml[/link]
while there are steels that have up to 2 percent carbon content, they are the exception. Most steel contains less than 0.35 percent carbon. To put this in perspective, keep in mind that’s 35/100 of 1 percent, or 0.0035 percent carbon. (By the way, a steel’s carbon content is often described in terms of points, with 1 point equaling 0.01 percent carbon.)
Cheers![8D]
