Antenna protection

[davethepitch]

In the event of a crash what options are available to prevent the antenna being snapped off the VTX leaving it damaged.

Dave

[Nic]

Mine is ziptied to the "ceiling" of the middle section, with the antenna sticking out the middle, that way, if it rolls, the antenna will just slide around as it spins even when tightened.

[davethepitch]

I am not sure what you mean Nic.

[Nic]

Bad picture, had to use digi cam. But, its had loads of knocks like that and never come off. Antenna just turns, and because it can';t be hit straight on ( like if it was hanging out the back )

Well, in my experience anyway.

[davethepitch]

I understand now mate good idea. 

[DarkButterfly]

I use ';floppy'; vtx antennas that bend out of the way during a crash.

[davethepitch]

I use ';floppy'; vtx antennas that bend out of the way during a crash.

Hi DB

I have not heard of those what do they look like .

Dave

[DarkButterfly]

Hi DB

I have not heard of those what do they look like .

Dave

Hi Dave,

They look like this http://makeitbuildit.co.uk/index.php?route=product/product&path=74_70&product_id=138

The coax is bendy, not stiff like the immersionRC antennas, they have some give during a crash, so it';s not as likely to break the VTx connector.

[davethepitch]

Hi Dave,

They look like this http://makeitbuildit.co.uk/index.php?route=product/product&path=74_70&product_id=138

The coax is bendy, not stiff like the immersionRC antennas, they have some give during a crash, so it';s not as likely to break the VTx connector.

Thanks DB 

[ched]

I have a 5cm pigtail http://www.surveilzone.com/5cm-rpsma-plug-to-right-angle-rpsma-jack-cable-pa1233 $2.99. That means the top frame takes the impact away from the vtx. I did use an antenna same as Nic and had a crash that was strong enough to snap the antenna off at it';s base but that was all the damage. I now have https://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=62803 £5.98 +p&p. So I have flexi antenna and a pigtail  ::)
Mind you if I bought another pigtail I might buy a 10cm not a 5cm as the 5cm is a bit too rigid so the vtx has to go a bit more forward than I would like.

[Rommie]

I make pigtails buddy any size any connection

[davethepitch]

I now have https://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=62803 £5.98 +p&p.

Those antennas are good value plus if I could get a pigtail that fastens onto the frame through a hole its a "winner" 

[Rommie]

Those antennas are good value plus if I could get a pigtail that fastens onto the frame through a hole its a "winner" 

Have a look Dave at the postman thread and have a look at tups ones I made there bulkhead connector on one end which I think you are referring too

[nub]

pigtail is the best way to go, even with a floppy antenna it is possible to damage the Vtx, or i';d look at how i';m mounting the VTx and use something that would break away easily on impact so the VTx connection doesn';t take the brunt of it.

[DVM]

I';m with nub, pigtail is definitely the best solution. Get one with a right angled bulkhead connector if possible.

http://www.radioc.co.uk/SMA-Male-to-Female-Right-Angle-Connector-5cm-p/6026.htm

[davethepitch]

Get one with a right angled bulkhead connector if possible.

http://www.radioc.co.uk/SMA-Male-to-Female-Right-Angle-Connector-5cm-p/6026.htm

That is a good price and i will get a pigtail but i am not sure what the connections are that i need.

[ched]

This might help
Just remember to order the pigtail to connect at one end to vtx/rx and the other to antenna.

[davethepitch]

Hi Ched

These are the connectors i have and i am not sure what length of pigtail to get and i shall also get some of those Cloverleaf antennas from somewhere.

Dave

[ched]

Hi Ched
These are the connectors i have and i am not sure what length of pigtail to get and i shall also get some of those Cloverleaf antennas from somewhere.
Dave

I would say RP-SMA Plug to tx RP-SMA jack to antenna(bulkhead one) and the antenna you need is RP-SMA Plug. I think that';s right.

[davethepitch]

I would say RP-SMA Plug to tx RP-SMA jack to antenna(bulkhead one) and the antenna you need is RP-SMA Plug. I think that';s right.

So you reckon i need a Cloverleaf antenna with an RP-SMA Plug that will fit on a bulkhead angled connector.

I have confused myself now what i need. 

[ched]

I believe so Dave. It is confusing isn';t it. Took me a while to figure mine out too.

One thing with the pigtail. They are not that flexible as the connector is solid for 5mm into the cable then the heatshrink may go another 10mm. So that';s 30mm that is inflexible on a pigtail, well some might be built a little different but you get the idea.
I bought a 50mm pigtail with right angle bulkhead connector. I mounted the bulkhead through the top frame at the rear (enlarged the hole that was there). Then connected the vtx. But if the pigtail is straight it pushes the vtx 5cm towards the front. If/when I build again I may get a longer pigtail so I could make it into a ';S'; shape enabling me to put vtx more rearwards.

Hope that makes sense?

[davethepitch]

I am not sure how long a pigtail can be made but i want to mount my VTX under the top frame near the front and have my antenna just somewhere slightly behind it but mounted on top of the frame so I will need a bit of flexibility with the pigtail.

[ched]

Rommie said earlier that he can make one to what ever length you want. Might be worth a pm to see timescales and costs?