broken transmitter antenna
 

I have a Futaba 6EXA transmitter. I must have pulled a little too hard on it and the top section of the antenna came off. Approximately 2 1/2 inches came out where it recesses into the next larger part.
What is a good fix for this? If I solder it it won't retract.
If I do solder it or make another fix, will it affect my range?

RE: broken transmitter antenna
 

You can keep using the antenna if you solder the tip piece back on, with the piece positioned in the "extended" position. The soldered antenna will not reduce the range. It may even be a teensy bit better because of the solid electrical contact between the two pieces. Trying to reassemble the two pieces together to maintain the original collapsibility is questionable without special tools/fixtures. Of course, for a few dollars, you could buy a new antenna.:)

RE: broken transmitter antenna
 

Collapsable antennas like this are next to impossible to fix once a section has pulled out. The best remedy is to simply replace the antenna with a new one. Simple, easy, and you can be assured that the range of the radio has not been compromised. You can get a new one from Tower Hobbies for $8.59.
[link]http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXH468&P=SM[/link]

It's not worth risking your plane over a suspect antenna. Get a new one and you'll know for sure that you're good to go.

Ken

RE: broken transmitter antenna
 

Ken is absolutely correct. Replacement antennas are available from many locations... Tower, Futaba, maybe even your local hobby store. Order one, buy one, whatever.. but replace it. The cost is neglegible. Trying to repair it may work, but it also may cause you to destroy your plane... or worse. $8.59 is cheap enough.. and it's just not worth taking chances.

I have two spare 72 MHz Airtronics in my flight box. And I assume you can figure out why.

CGr.

RE: broken transmitter antenna
 

Dumb question and I'm being lazy as I haven't looked at the transmitter. How hard is it to replace the antenna?

RE: broken transmitter antenna
 

Very simple. It just screws on. Unscrew the old one and screw the new one on.

Ken

RE: broken transmitter antenna
 

do yourself a big favor, and install a rubber ducky! work great, easy to store, and they look neat.

Bruce

RE: broken transmitter antenna
 

Like CG I also have an extra in my box. I once bent one, got another and have the old one as A spare. It wasn't bad but why fool around.

RE: broken transmitter antenna
 

Ken,

I have a Futaba 6EXP with a broken antenna. Went to Tower Hobbies sight and cannot find a replacement specifically for the 6EXP. Do you think
the 6EXA antenna will work on mine.

Thanks ..........

RE: broken transmitter antenna
 

Yes, it will work. The 6EXP and 6EXA are the same radio chassis and the antennas are the same on them.

Ken

RE: broken transmitter antenna
 

Ken -

Much appreciated.

RE: broken transmitter antenna
 

What about a reciever antenna, that has been cut in half during a crash? Could you just splice it back togather? Thanks in advance

RE: broken transmitter antenna
 

I have a Futaba T4EXA with the Tx antenna broke as well. What is the part number and where can I get a replacement ?

Thanks in advance ..........

RE: broken transmitter antenna
 

Just go to Tower Hobbies and search on antenna. It will come up with replacements for you. Simple. www.towerhobbies.com

CGr

RE: broken transmitter antenna
 

Maybe, maybe not. I've seen it done successfully and I've seen it not work.
Futaba has replacement antennas for all receivers. I think that's the best route to go. Second best, replace the wire using a new wire the exact same length as the orginal.

RE: broken transmitter antenna
 

Will get a new one, thanks thedr! Never replace one before, but there cant be much to it.

RE: broken transmitter antenna
 

Slow down. There is a lot more to replacing a RX antenna than a TX. You have to solder the antenna to the board. I wouldn't advise that. If you don't feel comfortable soldering the antenna back together at the break, then you should send it in and have the manufacturer do it. I've soldered a few back together and never had any problems at all. As long as it is still the original length, you will be fine.

RE: broken transmitter antenna
 

And don't forget there may be hidden crash damage to the RX that they may find if you send it to the shop for repair.

RE: broken transmitter antenna
 

Thanks 2slow.... I am pretty decent with a solder gun, thanks to the ol slot car racing day's.

RE: broken transmitter antenna
 

I guess it depends on if one feels comfortable doing it or not. ;)
If you're a competent soldering, no problem. If not, well...
Aimlessly soldering one back together can lead to trouble. Seen it, been there, done that. You have to be very sure of the correct manufacturer recommended length. Anyone know that off the top of their head?
:D

RE: broken transmitter antenna
 

That may well depend on the manufacturer and the RX model.

RE: broken transmitter antenna
 

As long you get a good solder joint and you maintain the length of the antenna you will be fine. 72 Mhz radios need to have an antenna length of ~39" to operate properly.

But there is more to worry about here than just the wire being cut. If you were in a crash violent enough to break the antenna wire there is a good chance that there is damage to the receiver resulting from the crash. Anytime I have a receiver in a crash I will send that receiver in to have it checked before I will put in back in a plane. Many times damage from a crash will not show up until the reciever is subjected to the vibrations of flight and won't show up in a range check. If you send it in and inform them that the receiver was in a crash they will check it and ensure that it's flight worthy. The small amount of money it costs to have it checked is a lot cheaper than the airplane you are putting it back in to. Trust me, it's money well spent.

Ken

RE: broken transmitter antenna
 

good point

RE: broken transmitter antenna
 

That is a very good idea. Do you know how much it usually cost to get one checked out(Futuba)? Thanks for all the info guys.

RE: broken transmitter antenna
 

That will actually be solely based on the frequency. The antenna must have the correct ELECTRICAL length to mathc the frequency. Assuming RX's do not use any base loading in the circuit to shorten the antenna, it will be a simple math problem to determine the correct length. That said its much easier to order one pre cut, unless you are a math whiz AND know or have access to the formula. (The one question left is are these antennas based on 1/2 or 1 full wavelenght, or is it a more complicated 5/8ths or 1/4??)

(Sorry, ham radio dayz coming back to me, I used to build antennas for fun! [X(] NO I will not build an RX antenna for you Im not THAT good..)