Cloverleaf and pigtail advice

[davethepitch]

Are most Cloverleaf antennas pretty much the same quality or should certain ones be avoided also I need a pigtail with an angled connector to go from my VTX to the cloverleaf antenna.

Also I have two antennas on my Boscam RX screen and do both A and B need to have Cloverleaf antennas if so this can get a bit pricey.

Dave

[Rommie]

I would do a clover on vtx and a clover and patch or helical on boscam screen

[ched]

I was under the impression the point of a diversity receiver was to have 2 different antennas so the receiver would pick which was best signal. So maybe a patch and a short (4 turns maybe) helical.
Depends a bit though. If the receiver is on a tripod then it may be possible to aim the antennas to cover the ';field'; where you are flying. If head mounted on a set of goggles then you might be moving your head so a less directional antenna might be better.

[davethepitch]

clover and patch or helical on boscam screen

What does clover and patch mean and also a helical. 

[Elmattbo]

They are all types of antenna. You are probably better off googling to get the full info, but a cloverleaf is a circular polarised antenna that receives the same signal strength in all directions, whereas a patch and helical antennas are more directional. However what they gain from this is that they are more sensitive within that direction thus meaning they can be used over a longer range. Have a look for the ibcrazy guide to fpv. He talks about planes but he gives some good info.

[davethepitch]

Now I have seen a patch antenna i am not to keen on those so my next question is can I put two Cloverleaf antennas on my Boscam RX screen as it has A and B scanning ability and a Cloverleaf on my VTX.

If this can be done what antennas do I need to buy for what item.

Thanks Dave

[Hands0n]

Dave, I';d suggest you grab a set of skew planar (cloverleaf) antenna from Gav on this forum, do a quick search and you';ll find his thread on the subject.  The antenna are the dog';s danglies, they work fabulously well.  He can custom them for you in terms of connector and length of antenna stalk. 

Generally, if you';re using a diversity receiver then you should go for something that will give good omnidirectional cover at closer range (Gav';s skew planar are perfect for that) and something else for the longer ranges.  The latter will typically be either a patch antenna or, my preference, a helical antenna.  These are directional, the helical directional beam width is narrower with the more turns that are in the antenna.  Typically a 4-turn will give you a good balance of long range and wide beam (think of a cone shape of sensitivity widening at the further reaches).  I use a 6-turn that gives a good balance of signal gain vs beam width - and it is surprisingly sensitive to the sides also!

Using a pair of cloverleaf on your diversity RX would have no benefit as they would be operating at the same efficiency. So a signal loss on one will see the same signal loss on the other.

Generally, stay away from the 3-element skew antenna, they';re less efficient at dealing with signal reflections and cost not a worthwhile less than a 4-element.

HTH.

[davethepitch]

Dave, I';d suggest you grab a set of skew planar (cloverleaf) antenna from Gav on this forum

I will do a search for Gav.   

Generally, if you';re using a diversity receiver then you should go for something that will give good omnidirectional cover at closer range (Gav';s skew planar are perfect for that) and something else for the longer ranges.  The latter will typically be either a patch antenna or, my preference, a helical antenna.  These are directional, the helical directional beam width is narrower with the more turns that are in the antenna.  Typically a 4-turn will give you a good balance of long range and wide beam (think of a cone shape of sensitivity widening at the further reaches).  I use a 6-turn that gives a good balance of signal gain vs beam width - and it is surprisingly sensitive to the sides also!

Using a pair of cloverleaf on your diversity RX would have no benefit as they would be operating at the same efficiency. So a signal loss on one will see the same signal loss on the other.

I thought two cloverleaf antennas would be fine on the RX as it searches A and B but as you say a cloverleaf on one and i prefer a helical type so i need to find out what they look like

Generally, stay away from the 3-element skew antenna, they';re less efficient at dealing with signal reflections and cost not a worthwhile less than a 4-element.

So i assume it is a cloverleaf on the VTX and for the RX a cloverleaf and a helical type.

Dave

[bazzerh]

Generally, stay away from the 3-element skew antenna, they';re less efficient at dealing with signal reflections and cost not a worthwhile less than a 4-element.

HTH.

yet IBCrazy said this
Cloverleaf: My accidental improvement on the skew planar wheel which resulted in much better video quality when used as a transmit antenna. I also find it does better than an SPW as a receiver antenna.
Skew-planar wheel: One of the first CP omnis developed in the 1950';s. It works best when paired with a different CP antenna. Generally regarded as a receiver antenna. Admittedly, I don';t care for this antenna.

source - http://fpvlab.com/forums/showthread.php?22726-Cloverleaf-vs-Skew-Planar-vs-Fan/page2

[Jazzz]

Cheapest I';ve seen for ok antena is at radioc £8 plus £2 poste or there abouts Thay even improved my crapy camra image .
And there flexible so ok in a crash which I';ve tested a few times

[kilby]

Never rely on a single information source, especially if they happen to be selling the item that they provide the information about.

You can get a stronger signal out of a clover/skew pair but signal strength is not the whole story

[Jazzz]

I';d like to add I have no connection to any rc company';s
And have never sold or profited from any rc products

[JT]

 I make 3 turn helicals(wide beam with a 3 turn) I have used them up to 2.2km out with perfect reception, they would go a lot further but I don';t go further than that lol. If you want one they are £15 and can be made either right or left hand polarised(Gavs skews are right hand polarised). I have had them swr tested by a nice chap on FPVhub and they come out at 1.3(which is good apparently)

[davethepitch]

If you want one they are £15 and can be made either right or left hand polarised(Gavs skews are right hand polarised).:

What is this left or right handed polarization thing that is now in the equation i did not know about. 

[Elmattbo]

I know the feeling dave, steep learning curve isn';t it! Basically it';s like a left or right handed thread on a screw - one doesn';t work with the other.

[davethepitch]

Has anyone tried the Hobbyking cloverleaf antennas and the only reason i ask is because i have loyalty points if i want to buy something.

The other thing is i don';t want a large antenna on my quad or my rx screen so I could do with them being a shorter height

Dave

[JT]

 If you want it to work well don';t buy the cheap Chinese ones from hobbyking or anywhere else!!! They are rubbish! You get what you pay for, a set of the skews made by Gav on here will work really really well, they cost a few quid but are well worth it. 
Also the shorter the antenna the closer to the noise of the components and the blockage of signal caused by batteries,carbon fibre etc. You don';t want stupidly long but really short is a bad idea.

Just remember the antennas are the most important part of your FPV system!

[davethepitch]

I am now confused about what antennas i need for my Boscam RX screen and what antenna to put on my Boscam VTX as well as the connectors.

I am being honest about being confused as my concentration levels have dropped and it must be the Venlafaxine and the lorazepam affecting me. 

[davethepitch]

Also the shorter the antenna the closer to the noise of the components and the blockage of signal caused by batteries,carbon fibre etc. You don';t want stupidly long but really short is a bad idea.

Hi JT

I never gave that a thought about being closer mate.

[JT]

Hi JT

I never gave that a thought about being closer mate.

Just something to bear in mind 

Your Boscam gear will need antennas with rp-sma connectors

[davethepitch]

Your Boscam gear will need antennas with rp-sma connectors

So my Boscam RX screen uses  two rp-sma connectors but does my Boscam VTX have the same connector.

[JT]

Should do Dave