w7whb

Has anyone experienced any loss of range from using metal pushrods? Has anyone ever tested this? Does it, or would it matter if the antenna is nearly parallel to the pushrods?

I used to fly using this setup and so far as I know, never had a problem even when almost out of sight.

I realize that CF would eliminate the possibility but I seem to have a few birds around that I don't feel like carving up to change. Does it really matter?

michpittsman

My Feedback: (11)

No problems with solid wire rods, but I always laid my antenna wire in the bottom of the fuselage, with or without an outer plastic tube, whether soda straws or something heavier. Don't make the mistake of assuming CF is non-conductive. IT IS CONDUCTIVE just like metal! If you rolled up a sheet of CF to make a tailboom, putting your antenna wire inside it would completely blank out your receiver. Small diameter CF rods might save you some weight over wire. If you touch both leads of a battery pack to a piece of CF, you will have a neat little arc welder. Don't ask! JIM

w7whb

Well Duhhhh - Somewhere along the line I seem to have forgotten what the "C" stands for. It's not like I didn't know - I have used carbon rods on a welder to melt the insides out of an engine block - needed to do some welding on the inside of the pan.

Perhaps I should engage brain before putting fingers in gear. Thanks for the reminder.