Alternate antenna ideas! - Page 8

xatu · #**106** 11-28-2002, 08:34 PM

Probably, because ir doesn't do crap for my range...

caver01 · #**107** 11-28-2002, 11:45 PM

I don't think you will get much of anything by just wrapping a bit of copper around the existing antenna. The idea is to solder new copper wire to the circuit board, then coil the new wire in such a way as to improve range. Now, there are all sorts of ways to do this, but from what I can tell, the overall length of the antenna wire with respect to your transmission frequency has a lot to do with its ability to improve range. Also, there are some here that say coiling can have a cancellation effect. Finally, with respect to tight coils that may touch each other, it is important to recognize the difference between bare wire and wire that has an enamel coating. The coating allows wire to be wrapped tightly without conducting across the wraps. In other words, the enamel provides insulation. Enameled wire is used in the construction of electromagnets, such as those used in your car's steering assembly.

There are a lot of techniques to use here. For me, my idea was to internalize the antenna as best I could. For others, it's about getting better range. Some don't mind curly pigtails, while others like a bull-whip, extra-long antenna. The "best" often boils down to a combination of personal preference versus what you are trying to acheive with your mod.

DarthRacer · #**108** 11-29-2002, 12:04 AM

Using 1/32 of a wavelength,

A 27MHz antenna should be about 1.1 feet.
A 49MHz antenna should be about 7.5 inches

xXx_Vegito_xXx · #**109** 11-29-2002, 07:27 AM

wuts with that lenth thing u said DarthRacer can u figgure out wut my 57MHz should be

xXx_Vegito_xXx · #**110** 11-29-2002, 07:29 AM

see me antenna is copper rite now and it like 2 cm shorter then the staock antenna but i get a 20 foot range there are pic on the 7th page of this thread

xatu · #**111** 11-29-2002, 04:19 PM

Yea, what about me? I got 35. And what makes the difference? It shouldn't matter!

Pojo · #**112** 11-29-2002, 08:25 PM

you bit scientists confuse the hell outta me

xatu · #**113** 11-29-2002, 08:28 PM

I'm with you, my head hurts!

Hey, this is cool, you gotta try this out. Put a long copper wire (a foot long) and stick it out of the back of your car like an antanna. Go in reverse, then go forward for a second. When you stop going forward, your front end of your car will bounce up and down looking like it has hydraulics

xatu · #**114** 11-29-2002, 10:57 PM

I've never heard of this stuff, but if it works, that would be super cool! I would definitely go out adn buy some

I would coat my car in it, lol.

caver01 · #**115** 11-30-2002, 02:38 AM

Actually, someone in this thread suggested that idea way back when I was talking about the copper foil. I don't think they ever tried it though. Might be worth a shot, but you would still have to setup a contact spring of some kind like I did on my car to connect the paint to the circuit board when you attach the body. Will it work? Who knows. I don't know enough about radio to know if metallic conductive paint has the same abilities as wire to capture a radio signal. Try it. That's probably the only way we will find out.

nissan2S · #**116** 12-01-2002, 05:30 PM

my antenna snapped on my bit char-g. the part where the antenna is held still squezzed through the rubber and then it snapped off over time. i only get a few inches without following it around. how can i fix it.

arch2b · #**117** 12-01-2002, 07:02 PM

i'm not sure i understand where your describing the break?

baleisen · #**118** 12-01-2002, 07:21 PM

Unsolder it from the board and solder another in its place. BAE

AUDI-TT · #**119** 12-01-2002, 09:25 PM

k i tried aluminum right. It works and u get pretty good range. But less than b4. And its actually quite easy to do. All u do is shorthen the exsisting antenna and take aluminum. Put the aluminum in ur car and put the wire in 2. COnnect them together by pinching some aluminum around the shortened stock antenna. But i have a quaestion. Is it the length of the antenna tha ,matters or the surface area???

caver01 · #**120** 12-02-2002, 12:06 AM

I think there is some science to this that would say that the length is what is important. As noted previously, the ideal antenna is one with an exact length that is proportional to the frequency, but as always, If you get acceptable results with aluminum foil, go for it! Nice to hear about that one.