ORIGINAL: cliffy227
Alright guys, I've read this thread 5 times today. what I'm trying to figure out is what to do with the Futaba R5014 reciever antenna. I've been in heli's for 20 years now and just installed a R5014 with a Deans whip with no problems. I'm building a jet now (C-ARF Lightning) and I don't want to compromise on range as this is a larger aircraft and therfore will most likely be operated farther away (than a helicopter, obviously). Futaba shortened the reciever antenna to about 20 inches because of reports of it being too sensitive. Problem is with a 20 inch antenna, I can bearly get it out of the fuselage before I run out. (There seems to be a substantial amout of carbon fiber reinforcement in this fuselage in the vicinity of the reciever.) Seems like I need a whip but whether it's base loaded or not by the time I get the antenna wire to the outside of the airplane (to the whip) I've probably made it too long and potentially too sensitive. Futaba was absolutely no help (as expected) and simply said that they don't recommend modifying the antenna. So without being a smartass, it seeems the only solution the manufacturer would be ok with would be to tape the reciever to the outside of the aiplane to get as much of their little antenna outside the airframe as possible........ Frusturating!!
Anyway, I know there is guys operating big jets with the R5014 and I was just hoping for some feedback on thier recommended antenna configuration.
Thanks a million for the willing!
Cliff Honeycutt
Yep, the Futaba service center is frustrating when it comes to modifing, call Tony Stillman (Radio South) he may have an idea. In my BobCat I mounted the receiver so the antenna started out the fuse within an inch of the receiver. Then per uncle Bob's recommendation out the leading edge of the wing. Of course when your building the wing laying in a push pull tube is much easier. You could fabricate a long drill of some kind to allow the insertion of the Sullivan blue or Red tube.
Or you could route it out the top of the fuse and angle it back to the tail like we always used to do! If it layed back in the slipstream down low it will work fine. I flew my MIG for many years configured just that way. Didn't look that bad either.
Keep in mind you could and should do a baseline range check then an everything running range check.
If you are worried about the carbon fiber do a baseline with just the receiver, one servo, and battery outside the airplane. Then do another baseline installed, and then your runup range check... at the end of that process you'll know if you've got anything to be consered about.
Lee H. DeMary
AMA 36099
Picture below is of my MIG, Col. Jack Wilhite (Flag tie) during a Colorado Aviation Hall of Fame induction dinner for Jack. The dinner was held at the US Air force Academy. Notice the white wire antenna routed to the tail. This antenna was attached to an older Futaba receiver, which used the standard 33 -36-inch length. Note the Dean's antenna, I mounted it early on in my MIG's life when I first installed a JR 10X, but never flew with that antenna connected to a receiver.