rrragmanliam

My Feedback: (1)

Do you guys know if antena wire is some kind of special wire? Or is it just plain ol' Multistrand wire? I doinked my microstick/.010 combo in today and need to replace the wire.

Thanks for the help.

Rrragman

BMatthews

Anything about the same guage will do fine. In case you don't know the length IS CRITICAL! The new one should match the old one for length within a 1/4 inch or better.

combatpigg

My Feedback: (3)

I've been operating under the belief that any length between 36-39" will work. I have used fine stranded wire from RADIO SHACK for repairs, but it isn't as supple or finely stranded as the right stuff, which is sold by the RC companys for DIY types. Do a full range check with the antenna up and hand signals, and bring a pair of wire cutters if you need to "tune" the antenna, but I don't think you will have to.

flyer495th

I received this when the same question was asked to Futaba

flyer495th from RC Universe Discussion Forums - Ask questions and forwarded a message to you at 10/6/2004 12:28:27 PM:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
RE: Busted Antenna wire on Rx....advise needed - by Krysta
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hi Bob,

While we can not recommend that anyone change their receiver wire, as this can cause serious problems such as loss of reception and major interference issues, and also void any warranty that you may have on your radio system.

But, if you are very good with a soldering iron, you should replace the COMPLETE antenna at the board, not just solder at the cut. Also after doing so, do a thorough ground check, you would want to look for 22 gauge wire, and the length will be:

approximately 19 1/2" for surface
approximately 39 1/2" for Air

Sincerely,
Krysta
Lead Futaba Customer Service and Programming Technician

BMatthews

Just what I would expect from someone that cleans their parts using moonshine in a jar duct taped to an orbital sander.....

EASYTIGER

My Feedback: (119)

Do yourself a favor. Go to aeromicro.com and order up one of the azarrs litennas, they are only six inches long but give virtually unlimited range, and greatly enhance the performance of an 01 powered model. Beleive me, 20" of antenna hanging out behind an 01 model is a MAJOR drag factor.

Bipe Flyer

According to my calculations the wavelength for 72 MHz is 164 inches, so a 1/4 wave antenna is 41 inches. This would give antenna lengths ranging from 40.44 inches for channel 60 (72.990) to 40.99 inches for channel 11 (72.010). Surface is on 75 MHz with a 1/8 wave antenna being 19.68 inches.

I just measured a few receivers and they range from 39 inches to 42 inches measured from the edge of the case.

The Futaba antennas are sold in 1000mm ( 39.37" ) and 500mm ( 19.68" ) lengths.

BMatthews

Add on the lost length in the strain relief knot and the extra squiggle on the inside of the case and it sure sounds like it's close to your numbers. It also sounds like they don't bother cutting the antenna that close to a perfect 1/4 wave.

bsindel

Actually some of the antenna length is in the traces on the pc board,
and the impedance matching circuitry of the receivers front end.

Bill S. (the other Bill)

The Raven

Hitec list the length of RX antenna wires in their FAQs. From memory, 72Mhz uses a 42inch wire, which also corresponds to the lengths used on 36Mhz receivers (such as those in Australia).

ZAGNUT

My Feedback: (1)

huh?? 40" of 22 gauge would weigh more than the average receiver!

the best (as in cheapest) for small models is the multi-strand stuff found in telephone cables. nice and light and comes in colors too...



dave

burtcs

I don't think the type of wire is an issue. I've seen guys successfully using 30 gauge wire wrap wire for anntenna's and they appeared to work just fine. I myself have used Kraft base loaded antennas for years with good results and I use an ACE rubber ducky on my transmitter. These have a range of about 1/2 a mile.

HTH - Steve B.