Track and Antenna Mod pics

[Robotguy]

Just got into ZipZaps (had a BitCharG back when they were $50). I thought I would post some pics of the track I made and a nifty antenna mod.

1st the track:
Picture
Bought the parts from Home Depot during lunch on Mon and we were driving on the track after work. Easy as pie. We did paint the other side of the board with chalkboard spray paint, but found that gave too much traction and the cars had a tendency to flip.

4' X 8' sheet of 1/2" MDF $19
50' roll of 1/2" irrigation tubing (TORO brand) $7

Add lots of hot glue to hold down the tubing, and start racing.

Now the antenna mod:
Picture 1
Picture 2
I used 7 3/4" of 24AWG magnet wire (pretty sure you can get it at RS, the length was recommended in another thread somewhere). I also drilled a 2nd hole in the chassis for it to exit on the left side of the body.

[Br0ken Autumn]

nice i have basicaly the same antena on mine but i used a small craftsman precision screwdriver and rapped the antena around it as tightly as i could afterwards its like a spring. it will then allow me to use a realy long peice of wire for the antena. if i bend it right i can get it under the body but sticking up gives it better reception. I found that when i took my se out on my driveway it would flip at high speeds when turning but it stuck pretty good with the body off so i figured it was just top heavy. after i dropped the body all was good. but with less traction the raceing is probly more to scale lol. i like the track by the way.

[Azimov]

it will then allow me to use a realy long peice of wire for the antena.

Yup, that's the way to go. Around 18 - 24 inches should be good. Next, rip the stock antenna out of the controller and stick one in from an old set of TV rabbit ears. This will more than double the gain you get from replacing the car antenna.