mechanizeddeath

I'm new to RCs in general, hence this newbie question... I damaged the last 1" or so of the rx antenna in a crash. 75 MHz, AM. I mended it the best I could but there wasn't much left to work with. [:@] The manual says not to cut the antenna shorter, which makes sense, but will losing only an inch noticably reduce the range?

bruce88123

I'm assuming that you are talking about a standard length antenna that is approx 1 meter in length. Losing 1 inch from the tip won't be noticeable really. Don't clip off much more though without retuning/replacing.

If talking about a shorter whip antenna as used on a car/truck, I don't know what effect it will have exactly. Reduced range but they never get that far away anyway, do they?

A.T.

What brand and model number of receiver? Many designed for RC Car use have shorter base loaded antenna than the usual 1 - 1.2m used for aircraft.
FWIW:
Futaba provide replacement colour coded antenna as follows:
500mm (19.65") = Part numbers #0131 for AM/FM27, #0133 for AM/FM29, #0134 for AM/FM40/72 for Futaba 2ch R122JE RX = short range use for cars/boats and the R156F very short range park flyer receiver (all R156F frequencies, input inductor matches wire antenna to the RF circuits).
1000mm (39.3") = Part numbers #0135 for AM27 R102JE (long range) #0136 for FM35, #0140 for AM/FM29 (4ch+), #0141 for AM/FM40 (4ch+), #0142 for FM35 = R137/9),
1100mm (43.22") = Part numbers #0146 for FM40 = R137/9 & FM R113IP
and last but not least
1200mm (47.2") for FM40 = R137/9.

Hitec #58011 = A black Antenna (aerial) wire & doubler for aircraft receivers, which measures 106cm (41.75 inches) from pre-tinned tip to end. Used for all Hitec RCD airborne RX, irrespective of frequency, except the HFS-05MS which is shorter at 60 CM (23 5/8 inches) and the now discontinued original 4ch Feather..
#54001 Green for use with Feather 4CH receiver [lighter wire than #58011 but still 106 cm (41.75 inches)]
#54002 Red Antenna (aerial) Wire, with doubler, for Regular Surface Receiver which measures 61 CM (24 inches) as now fitted to current 27, 29 & 40 mHz surface receivers with the exception of the HIS-03MK IPD receiver which has an antenna length of only 43 cm (17 inches).

JR = use 1000 mm for all their known RX, irrespective of frequency. The receiver has an input inductor that matches the wire antenna to the RF circuits, so its the same length for 27, 29, 35, 36, 40 & 72 MHz etc

See also sub section "Antenna - Rubber Duckie, Micro & Whip Flywire - replace long aerials with loaded base antenna" on my web page for good hints on replacing your exisiting floppy antenna.

Regards
Alan T.
Alan's Hobby, Model & RC FAQ Web Links[/