Hi was wondering which is the best way to route an antenna, either on outside or the inside.
I see a lot of plane with no antennas showing. I'm putting together a kit 4* 60 an can't decide on what would be the best solution, thank you all for any responses

I used a push rod tube to make a mast on my 4* 40.

As a rule, it's usually better to route the antenna, at least a few inches or more of it, outside the plane. A lot of coverings have a metallic layer in them that will block the reception of the signal if the antenna is completely inside the plane.

The easiest way to run an antenna wire through a plane is to pick up the 1/8" tube for a throttle CABLE and route it through the plane to the outside with as few bends as possible. Try to keep all your bends shallow to prevent getting hung up when you are pushing the wire through the tube. If the antenna keeps getting hung up, wipe the wire down with a paper towel that's got a lot of Windex or WD40 on it. You will want the wire to be a little wet with whatever you use for a wire lube.

I don't believe there are any colors of MonoKote or Ultracote (metallic flavors included) that contain any metal whatsoever, even the chrome. Someone feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.

With the right experience, you will find sevear colors in both types that will block the signal. Some real good examples are the pearls and metallic.

To really understand what I'm talking about here, I would suggest that you cover your plane in MonoKote pearl yellow, or any of the UltraCote metallics, place your antenna wire COMPLETELY inside the fuselage and hang on once it's in flight. I speak from experience, a lot of it, and after reading some of the suggestions of the manufacturers themselves.

I stand by my statement that NONE of the colors contain any metal. I'd be happy to read any documentation available that says otherwise.

Seems like that would be unnecessary weight. It also seems like it would be difficult when using a heat gun or iron.

Why would they put metal in it? What would be the benefit?



Wings

No problems here either... done several combat sloper foamie P-51, MiG-15, and F-86... done them all in silver Ultracote and run the antenna completely inside the fuse down to the tail, then zig-zagged through the coroplast flutes.
Total antenna area NOT covered by metal? 5 to 10 quarter-inch spots every 4 inches along the rear-most foot or two.

The only time I have had problems that absolutely were radio hits were when I had metal-to-metal on control surfaces, and only then with AM radios. I once had a stripped servo arm that acted like a hit

All of my antennae are inside of the fuselage. These are built up balsa fuselages covered with standard monokotes. I dont have any metallics. I run the antenna down the inside of the fuselage through a plastic 4-40 pushrod guide. Works and looks great for me.

Golden rod down the center of the plane(GP Patty)

Not trying to beat a dead horse here, but I went one better than this suggestion. I just happened to have a FULL role of MonoKote Pearl Yellow. I covered both ends of the roll with aluminum foil, poked a small hole in one end and threaded the WHOLE antenna from my receiver into the tube. Did a 100' range check with the Tx antenna collapsed. No problems, zero. I then did the same test with a role of MonoKote Plum Metallic and again with a role of MonoKote Aluminum. Same results, not one problem. I can't say I was really surprised. [8D]

I won't steadfastly hold to the coverings containing metal. But I DO believe, and have experienced, coverings that appear to be opaque to radio signals. On both planes where the problem occurred, re-routing the antenna so that a few inches of it was outside the fuselage eliminated the problems. There were no other factors that could have contributed to the lack of signal. One was glow powered, one was gas.

Maybe it was the aliens?[X(]

Without actually seeing the planes in mention I can't say what could have caused this, but I assure you it wasn't the MonoKote. How do you explain my signal penetrating a full roll of Pearl Yellow?

I really can't explain it. But I have said what I had to say on the subject, and will stand by my opinion. Those that want to keep the antenna inside with metallic and similar coverings should do so. It's THEIR plane, after all, and they should be able to take any risk they want.

hi everyone, thanks for the replys didn't expect to recieve this much advice on this subject, it all sounds great. I have decided to run the antenna through a pushrod tube inside of the plane and run about a inch of the antenna wire through the turtle deck to the outside of the plane so that it looks like a little antenna sticking up behind the canopy, I think that this would be a safe way and might even look kind of a real thing. thanks again everyone for your ideas

Just a tip, I used fishing line to pull the antenna through, it made it much easier.



Wings

Silversurfer,
You are correct, this is indeed a hobby where each individual should form their own opinions and do what makes them the most comfortable. With that being said, one should not post there own opinions as fact without some credible data to back it up.

I'm sorry that you appear to be offended. I base my statements and opinions on what has actually occurred to me in the real world. After 30 years in this hobby, adding another 8 or ten years in control line, I feel that I am qualified to make reasonable presumptions based upon the conditions in front of me. My lack of "scientific facts" should not be lessened due to an uncontrolled environment. My radio installations are always the same, my components are always the same, my suppliers are always the same, etc. I AM an expert builder, and have been building for hire for many years. I may not be the best flier around, and do not claim to be. I'm not an expert in metalurgy, plastics, or radio frequency modulation. But I do know what I, and some others, have experienced.

By the way, I am nowhere near the first person to have experienced and described this situation. Be advised that I am not saying that are any defects in either product of any type. I am simply stating that one should take reasonable precautions in their radio installations to preclude failure for any reason that could have been easily prevented through a minor change in cosmetics, i.e., exposing a small amount of antenna for a better radio "hit".

Just to let you know, my primary form of employment does not come from any part of the hobby industry. Does yours?

Just to be sure...

You are not making a U inside the fuselage with the tube to get that effect are you? Doubling the antenna back on itself inside the fuselage is a bad idea. Don't coil up any or wad it up tied with a rubber band (or worse a wire twist-tie) to get that effect you speak of... These can all reduce effective range and increase your susceptibility to interference sources.

Best is to have the antenna as straight as possible.

I guess that would be more like spagetti than a pushrod tube, all coiled up. I wasn't not able to push the tube from the "inside" out. So I had to run the wire through the pushrod tube after it was already installed in the plane. The tube did bend enough to allow me to run the tube all the way to the receiver. Then I pushed fishing wire through the tube and tied to the very end of the antenna and pulled it through.

Silversurfer,
Not sure how you got the idea that I am in any way offended by your posts. Quite the contrary. I just feel that it gets a little confusing to those that are trying to make an intelligent choice on matters such as this when they read information posted by others that just isn't true.

This statement is not posted as an opinion, it's posted as though it's a fact. Big difference.

Again, your personal opinion, not fact.

I have mounted antennas on the inside of planes with no pronblem but did run across one that did not like it at all. I do mean 5ft of engine off antenna down range. I rerouted it out the side and up to the vertical stab. This increased it tremendously. I do believe it was due to the servos mounted in the tail and the long extensions running parallel to the antenna. Point in Fact. Run it where ever you want!!!!!!!!! Do a proper range test. The plane will tell you if it wants it there or not. [sm=lol.gif]