BaronSchwab

Ok radio know-alls, question time. See the pic I will explain.

This is a picture of a Taube I quick doctored up to show you what I need help in. In the front the gray is Aluminum Duct Tape used as covering. This extends on the sides and bottom from the nose to the middle of the wing. On the top is extends from the back of the engine to the TE of the wing. The rest is covered in fabric. The red box is the Futaba 127DF RX. The blue line is the intended travel path of the antenna INSIDE the fuse. My question is, Will I experience interference because the ant is surrounded by metallic material for a short distance? Yes….yes I know all about the range checking I do that all the time. Should I expect RF?????

Lynx

If you're just talking about "Grey" coloured Duct tape not "Aluminum" tape, then don't worry about it, it's just tape. Using any kind of metalized foil as a covering even over just a portion of the plane will cause RF blackouts depending on the orientation of the plane (not just simple range checks) Range will be significantly less during some positions of the aircraft relative to the transmitter. You can't map it out, except at a great distance and that won't help you out. Colour your plane some other way, don't use metalized paint or covering on it.

BaronSchwab

It is the Aluminum Tape. Would it help if I moved the RX?

How do the guys with all metal jets do it??

staggerwing

My Feedback: (5)

Most of your antenna is in the clear. This is the important part. The receiver is actually being shielded from RF by being inside the taped area, i.e. Faraday Shield. Do a good range check and if it pans out, fly and have fun.

Rich

AD9V

BaronSchwab

Would it be better if the antenna was routed outside the plane?

staggerwing

My Feedback: (5)

You said that the majority of the antenna is behind fabric covering. It will not make any significant difference if the antenna is inside the fuselage or running along the outside. The signal will go through the fabric just fine. Test by having someone hold the plane while the engine is running. Walk away 100' or so with the transmitter antenna down. If you get good results you'll not have any problems when it's flying.

Rich

AD9V

BaronSchwab

Thank you I'll give it a try.

ww2birds

My Feedback: (14)

One other thought .. on two of my Aerotech models warbids, built with CF fuselages that can sheild RF, they are set up to use an external whip antenna .. Hayes products makes them, Tower has them in stock. Very nice .. might be good for your application too.

Dave

BaronSchwab

I'll see what I get when I go for the range check.

Geistware

My Feedback: (16)

I think you need to do a 360 degree range test with this installation.
I would expect that the tape to block reception head on.

Lynx

That's what I was saying Geist, although because of the freaky ways RF can propogate and be retransmitted through conductive materials (especially that close to the receiver) the exact effect of orientation is going to be VERY hard to figure out. If you have a decently matched transmitter/receiver and aren't going to the extreme's of range it really shouldn't manifest itself too badly though.

BaronSchwab

I had alreaghty deffinatly planned on the 360 check I know that it is a must. I will be using a Futaba 8U (non super) on Ch46 and a Futaba 127DF High band. This leads to my question Do moduls ever need to be retuned? The RX came factory tuned to 46.