Antenna
#3
Senior Member
#6
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Jacksonville, FL
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From the transmitter I always bend my antenna 90 deg. Radio waves emit from side of the antenna not from the end. Those that side don't point the antenna at the plane are spot on.
in the plane 90 deg from each other
in the plane 90 deg from each other
#8
Senior Member
The radiation pattern is shaped like a doughnut with the antenna centred in the middle of the hole. Best position for your transmitter antenna is straight up from the ground unless you are flying directly over head. This puts the strongest signal broadside to your position so if you are flying off to any side, you have the best signal to the plane. Of course this will send the weakest signal to your plane if you fly directly overhead, if you do that, tilt your transmitter until you are no longer overhead.
#10
The receiver antenna needs to be pointed 90* to the direction to the transmitter. If the receiver is on the floor, the antenna needs to be pointed up(most desirable) or down (through the bottom and less desirable) or, least desirably, forward, back or to either side of the plane.
The reason is that, as long as the plane is not directly over your head, the vertical antenna will get a strong signal for the best reception. This means pointed up as going through the bottom subjects the receiving part of the antenna to dirt, engine exhaust/oil and possible damage. Pointing straight forward or back will give poor reception when headed toward or away from the transmitter, exactly the directions the plane will be headed during take off and landing while to either side will give you a very low reception flying along the length of the runway, normally where you are doing any aerobatic maneuvers