protect your reciever antennas
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- Опубліковано 4 сер 2024
- Some of the different methods I've tried for mounting my receiver antennas.
Important things to keep in mind:
- Orient your diversity antennas at 90 degrees to each other to achiever good reception regardless of the quads angle relative to the transmitter.
- protect your antennas from damage. You are going to be crashing them into things. Antenna tubes provide the best protection until they get broken themselves. Ziptie & heatshrink won't break as easily as antenna tubes but the antenna itself is more susceptible to damage from being overly bent even while covered..
- Get those antennas far away from the carbon fiber and other conductive parts of your quads. This is the number one cause of reception issues with drones.
This is what I do to keep the heatshrink from coming off the zip ties.
Cut the zip ties longer than the heatshrink, put the heatshrink on the zip tie, fold a small piece of the end of the zip tie over and back into the heatshrink, and now shrink the heatshrink. This has been working for me.
Great video!
JB is rubbing off of your intro and outro lol
So much has changed in this hobby. But this stuff has been a constant bugbear. Great help - thanks matey!
Its always a good video when someone like yourself who has flown so many times to give your opinion on what works. 10/10
All you vids have always helped me thank you
Ive been contemplating emailing in about this over the past couple weeks. Every single crash chops my antenna tube where it meets the comdock with a little bit of tube still stuck inside. So glad to see this in my subfeed! Will give the ziptie-heatshrink combo a try next time. Thank you
I recommend stealing your wife’s heat gun from her craft box like I did. I’ve had it for years and she hasnt noticed.
Are you sure about that Mark lol
Stealing their hair blow dryer works too
Appreciate the various methods and getting us thinking. This is always a struggle and the antennas on my Stingy are now stuffed in the frame because I broke so many tubes over this winter. Maybe as the warmer weather comes back I can move them back out where they belong
Super Helpful! I've been doing antennas wrong since I started flying a month ago, and this just saved me from another big crash. Thanks dude.
Really enjoyed exploring a narrow topic like antenna mounting, and mining it deeply. Great job!
BTW - Heat gun@Harbor Freight Tools: $9.00. No more flame bubbles on the side of the heat shrink.
i did the same with the heat gun. It was cheap and has been well worth it.
Awesome video drew! Really think this is the first video about this topic! Literally just got my 3D printed piece two days ago to do this right!! Thank you for clarifying everything!!
Thanks for this! I was looking into other ways of mounting my antenna 👍
I also use zip ties and heat shrink, but a follow pilot showed me a smart way to secure the heat shrink. We do not shrink the heat shrink, but secure it with another zip tie around the heat shrink at the base. This work quit well and makes fiel repairs much easyer.
Drew, get a heat gun and then you can pretty much shape zip ties to what ever orientation necessary. Thanks for posting this, antennas are a pain so it is always interesting to see what others come up with. One thing i have found is that on most zip ties you can actually thread one of the stand off bolts threw the opening of the zip tie and then attach it to the frame. So i usually attach two to the rear bolts on the bottom plate and then have one come straight off the back and then use a heat gun and bend the other one 90 degrees up, then use heat shrink like Skitzo did.
Put the antenna on the smooth side of the zip tie, a thin layer of hot melt glue on the serrations of the tie and heat from shrinking will make it bite real good.
You can still remove you antenna later without to much sweat.
Default heatshrink I use to have some adhesive in it.. sticks really well around zipties but can easily peel.. also very easy to seal ends with those..
It was helpful Drew
I cut a small notch near the end on the zip tie that the heat shrink will shrink into and stop it slipping off.
Good and very helpful, thanks Drew
Superb video!
Drew, try putting a dab of FoamTac on whatever the heat shrink is going over before you shrink it up. It'll help keep it in place! We do this on foamy carbon fiber pushrods to keep the metal end to keep from sliding out from the heatshrink.
As at least one other person mentioned, Forever Tubes are a lot more durable than regular antenna tubes (even if their name perhaps oversells it ;) ). On my Commdocks I also use a 3:1 adhesive-lined (aka "marine") heat shrink that goes over the TPU nub on the mount *and* the antenna tube. That'll help with the tubes pulling out and going in.
Great video man , thanks👍
Very helpful vids. thanks drib.
Thanks again for the tips. Hey maybe you can help me answer this. How do you travel with your drones. I’m going to Cali next month was planning on bringing a few quads and like 12 1500mah batteries. I know you have to bring the batteries on the plane but is there a limit to the number. Do you have to take the props off your quads. I know you travel a lot and I’d hate to have something happen. I’ve brought a phantom without issues but these are more entailed since we have tools and stuff. Thanks drib
I only use zip ties and shrink , don't think i have ever used antenna tubes on a drone . I did however love the 3D printed antenna mount . Great video.
Thanks for the tip. I also fly Spektrum. I am looking to get x12 when it comes back in stock?
I use the zip ties on the front-arms of the frame and pointing backwards. We allmost allways fly forwards and the antenna on the rear arm which is looking forwards are something like a hook that is waiting for a twig or small branch to catch it. Also you can bend each of the dipols slightly to an angle at half way which brings it better to the 50ohms while the straight dipol has 72, and it helps a little bit to avoid that the antenna is hidden by the frame.
I protect my antennas using BIC pen lids. It works AMAZING. I highly recommend it. I haven't broken a antenna since.
Good informative video!
Nice tip drew
I love my Spektrum radio too :)
Great video tahnx
where to get this TPU mount?
I’ve heard really good things about “forever tubes” they are antenna tubes but made from more durable material. Heli-Nation has them in their store, I didn’t see them at the Rotor Riot store, hint hint
I've been using them for a while now. Bulletproof.
Armattan also.
Use Marine Heat Shrink tubes. They have glue inside the heat shrink. When you heat it up, the glue softens and adheres to the antenna and tie wrap keeping everything in place.
I am dying to be able to fly with you guys while you're down here in Sarasota! How can I get in the loop?
X2 on jeffs arm mount method. Used to replace antennas alot, havent changed one since going on the arm. Glad you mentioned that. Oh btw, ive had slightly better results with the zipties on the front arms pointing back.
Thanks Drib valuable!
hi drew josh was saying that the thin part of the antenna should be uncovered for better reception any thoughts on that
thank you
Ima learn you sumthin’! Love it
Drew like your drib2 technical videos. Someone must make a 90° antenna tube mount with sma, 3D printed or otherwise. I fly Spektrum too, the angle is important for the two antenna.
Started flying some crossfire with my dx8 receiver, have you tried these systems? It also needs 90 orientation.
Nice thanks drew
When you put the small bit of heatshrink at the base as a stopper and stability. Then just put another bit that covers both the stopper and the 3d printed mount to secure it in place. That would make a sturdy but still somewhat flexible joint at the base.
I really like this channel format, sometimes you just want to see the details of how someone else does things without a bunch of production cuts to the content.
Any thoughts on using the heat shrink tubing that has the heat activated glue inside?
Really like the antenna mount but does it come in other colors lol
I have been using the two out the back from your design since I bought one of your quads from Roto Riot. O and although yours is a phenomenal quad the lifetime warranty Armattan provides forced me to switch, sorry I crash to much. I still buy you motors.
I don's use tubes because they break within the first couple packs. Zip ties work best for me because they are stiff enough to hold the angel but flexible enough to take the roll over on landing. However your method of one mostly straight back and the other angled up is AWESOME !!! I tried the 90 off the arms after watching Joshua B. They look cool but exactly what you said after a few landings the zip tie breaks on the arm dangling the antenna into the props.
My quad is also lifetime warranties. Just hit up miniquadclub.com 👍🏻
Thank you I didn't know.
Is that mqc one you have hanging on the wall any good was looking to get one
I own a Holybro Kopis 1 that has the antenna's routed on the arms out of the factory. I've had 2 failsafes at under 300 meters so far, I've put about 20 batts through it. I was expecting much longer range, especially given it has full size xsr rx paired with my QX7 tx. I'm going to route them out the back/up top like most quads are. Just not a fan of the arm mounting method so far.
Drew, curious to know what you're doing on your Skyeliner frame these days. I'm flying one (on Spektrum as well), with the 3D printed antenna holder from XHover. I seem to keep loosing the vertical tube. Feels like a fairly firm fit, but it seems to work loose even if I haven't crashed. Do you feed zip ties through, or is there a specific size/type of tube you're using that the mount is designed for? Love the Skyeliner though, great frame!
what i've been doing is using starbucks coffee stirrer tubes for antenna tubes as they're a little more flexible than "antenna tubes" and they work great. not that we get much cold weather down here in florida, but they work great as they have some "give" to them :D
bro im running your hypetrains off of a flysky radio hahahaha i spent all my money i won in an invention competition on a quad and im just gonna say, i frickin love these motors. S C R E W banggood, when i lost this quad i spent my entire school break looking for it till i found it (9 days) and luckily there was NO RAIN SOMEHOW!!!!! i just need to wait for my new fc and then im set!
Yeah nice video! I just designed and printed myself those backplate thing today. Did you used TPU as well? With zipties i had serveral times the problem that they bended and came into the props which damaged the antennas, so i will go for the antenna tubes ;)
Greetings from Germany!
Take heatshrink with glue inside. The glue is not hard to remove if you have to but the tube will not slip or move in any way. And I have to agree with Francis. Use a heatgun ;p.
Anyway nice roundup of the different methods.
Buschwiesel FPV a drop of hotglue works well inside the heat shrink. I am btw totally happy with a small blue flame gas burner. It doesn't produce carbon like the normal lighters in the yellow part of the flame and it can also be used at home and in the field without the need of electricity.
Harbor freight has marine grade heat shrink that come with a layer of glue inside that melts when heated up perfect since it won’t slip off like regular heat shrink .
WHAT? you have a second channel? sweet. subbed.
I wish you could do a video on Spektrum radio setup for Betaflight
How about shrink wrapping the antenna tubes on to the zip ties?
Are the "forever tubes" on pirofliprc.com the same material as the ones you have(i have the same kind.) I like the zip ties+heat shrink method, but the ant. can still get damaged. I know a lot of floss frames have previsions for forever tubes to go through the top plate and just heat shrink the tube to the standoff. Couldn't you have both coming out the top with tubes and just "dog ear" one ant. with some heat near the area where the ant actually outputs the signal? still get your 90?
the trick with heat shrink and zip ties....have it laid out how you want it, with the ant on the ziptie, then run a thin bead of hot glue on the zip tie, and put heat shrink over the zip tie, ant, and the hot glue, shrink it down. now, with the hot glue there, you can heat up and mold to how you want it pointing and it will really hold that position. and adds just a little more protection
The zip tie method works great for me on my QAV250 from the top plate up. I know from experience with my nasty crashes learning to fly acro lol
I'm ALWAYS breaking antenna tubes on the comm dock, what tubes are you using?
I run mine under the arms they never come into contact also I use a spekrum satellite rx on 1 of my quads and my antennas that are only really small and come out the rx at the sides at a 180
Another quick tip.. If you use heat shrink with glue inside or put a small bead of hot glue along the zip tie you can heat it and angle the tie to the exact angle and it will stay there. If you're worried about getting glue on the antenna, use two layers of shrink tube. It will add a gram or two, but will always stay the right angle and last forever. :)
I just mount my antenas on my arms next to the motor cables. works perfect
Vladan Drizhal I do that never a problem now
Have the ziptie end sticking out 1/8 inch from end of antenna and bend it 90 degrees. Keeps the heat shrink from slipping off.
Use the right guage heat shrink on a zip tie and it won't come off even if you want it to. I had to do a complete rebuild once and I had to cut part of the heat shrink to get it off.
Out of curiosity , why do you cut the center part of the comdock out ?
and i hope Sarasota is treating you well, let me know if you need some good ideas for food and drinks . gotta feed that bando tapeworm while you are in town
To prevent the heat shrink from pulling off, put a small bit of hot glue on the zip-tie, let it cool, then putt the heat shrink on.
You need Sullivan snake or golden rod from a model shop it's like antenna tube but Nylon and almost indestructible. It's made for servo linkages on large rc aircraft.
I use zipties and duel wall heatshrink... it already has waterproof glue in it.. never slips👍👍
Hi drib! Nice video! Do you have a link available to that 3D-printed antenna-mount? Or is that something you designed yourself? Thanks!
Yes where can I get one ?
I just saw an older video with a link in the description where you can order, i think these, GoPro-mounts 👍👍 great!
IS it ok to place receiver antennas SO close to VTX antennas?
try heat shrink with adhesive or put hot glue on the zip tie. while everything is hot you can bend it into shape, hold it til it cools and it will hold its shape and not slip off the zip tie. if you want to remove the antenna just reheat and pull out.
Ever tried elctrical tape instead of heat shrink? Heat shrink is probably less hassle and prettier but I've had good luck with just zip ties and electrical tape so far.
Nice idea that mqc 3d printed wall, I wonder if they're good for the chinese reptile martian IIs and don't cost what an entire frame costs me.
Love your videos 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
New subscriber I also fly Spektrum 😁😍😍😍👍
I also use heat shirk with the glue on the inside of it so it cant slip off the zip tie! I order some from Mc Master carr
Gotta say I'm not a fan of heatshrinking the receiver antennas because last time I burnt one of them a bit shorter. x_x They're so thin that it doesn't need a lot of heat. I ordered a couple new ones and some antenna tubes with them. Seems a lot more robust now. ;)
Antennas are a pain one of the things I have damaged the most other than props. Have been flying my 5 inch LOS without any antennas while I wait for new ones (they lost them then sent me the wrong ones) yeah for FRSKY xm+
Why not stick a zip tie from the inside of the frame out through the holes the 3D printed part and then heat shrink your antenna to that that way they can never break
Drib that intro! Hahaha Josh will be proud
If you fold the end of the zip tie on itself, at the end...then shrink tube it, they won’t slide off. Also, small engine fuel line, for chainsaws won’t ever break. Some zip ties are way better then others. Look for ones with I high tensel strength like 75lbs...their less brittle.
Use marine heat shrink available at harbor freight. It has the hot glue type material inside that will not slip off. careful when removing , you need to use heat to soften glue or you'll tear the antenna.
Drew, how often do you totally burn out on fpv? Honestly
Take about a half an inch of slightly larger heat shrink, perhaps a half inch, large enough to slide over the heat shrunk antenna and slide it down to the base and over the tit on your 3D mount while a small bit hanging off the tit over the shrink wrapped antenna and then heat it. It will suck up and hang on to the tit on the 3D mount while the other half grips up the antenna and give you a little more firmness at the base, yet still flexible during crashes and won’t let the heat shrink around the antenna slip off. Great videos brother, I’ve learned a lot as a newbie in the hobby as of November 17’, Cheers!
can I have your micro Runcam from that three inch build?
This is my biggest problem today! I have tried everything and my antennas take a beating! Can you or your subscribers provide a link to a reasonably priced com dock? $15 is too much!
Good tips. It's good practice to orient correctly any protocol, why not take any safety margin available?
After a dozen or so builds, I now layer the heatshrink tubing instead of using antenna tubes.
I have a wide asst of tubes from all over - Most airplane ones like Du-Bro tend to be brittle, I agree with Lyons_Lifestyle - The Traxxas T-Maxx style tubes (any color) are among the best (Catalyst MW tubes work well too), but I keep going back to straight heatshrink.
It seems to hold up better and give a lighter, more resilient finished product. Flexible antennas just hold up better than stiffer ones, especially in the cold.
3 or 4 layers of heatshrink are tough enough for cold winter hits and can be bent to your desired angle with a lighter as you do with plastic tubes. I have 2 diameters, each will go over itself once shrunk, giving 4 possible layers which is more than you need. The 1st layer is left long and pinched off hot to seal the end from moisture. A tiny drop of CA secures the layers together and into the printed socket (if you're using one). You need to find good heatshrink or it will tend to crack at the base, but once that is done, you're in business. .
The one thing you have to be aware of is, with good hearshrink, the heatshrink will outlast the antenna wire. I flew one quad most of last summer (and I crash a lot), and did a rebuild this winter, and found one of the antennas (stock XSR) had frayed over a 1/2" section or so to where it was either bad or only hanging on by a strand or 2.
If you use any very flexible system, bear in mind, each time it bends, so does the wire inside. I'll be checking and/or replacing them more often this season.
Thanks Drew 2!
hot glue in shrink wrap stays good and solid and can be reheated to cchange direction
peace drib
Where did you find the print?
the 3D printed mount comes with his frame
shop.miniquadclub.com/shop/accessories/mqc-fusion-commdock/
Northern Flyer Thank you, wish there was a file to print your own.
Drew: "Im going to learn ya somethin"; Me: "Ya right, you're no JB"; Drew: "Put heat shrink on your antenna tubes"; Me: "🤔Thats brilliant!"
I just uesd the small lollipops stick as a cast for my antenna stick it on the rear motor 1&3 arms
I normally mount mine along the 2 back arms
get a smaller gauge heatshrink, stretch it, then have it go over the tpu and the ziptie antenna, itll keep it from slipping.
Drib 2... cool...
Traxxas blue tubes!
I love my DX6. That's all I have to say ... 🖒
Ich verlege meine Antennen immer an der schmalen Kante an den hinteren Armen. .Dort sind sie am sichersten.
Brent over at bmc3d.co will custom print an antenna mounts at 90°.
Coffee stirrers.
rotorbuilds.com/build/8870
My propellers just chopped of the receivers antenna, this brought me here :D i bit late i know
put a larger heat shrink on the 3d printed part and then use a smaller HS on the zip tie over the larger one and progressively get smaller all the way to the end of it and it should not slide off :-) side note how about putting heatshrink over the full length of the tube to help with durability :-)_