It’s crazy this guy has been gone before I got into the hobby and I’ve been viewing all his videos to learn from him but I didn’t notice until I checked out a few comments , he’s very smart and a big contributor to the hobby he loved and that’s awesome people recognize it in the comments , R.I.P.
When trying to determine if an antenna is "Good" the most important measurement is the SWR, especially if you want to make sure that you will not damage your VTX. Measuring the received signal at the other end does not necessarily reflect what is going on with an antenna. You could have a great antenna design that is just not tuned properly for the particular frequency you are using, which would result in a high SWR and poor efficiency and in turn might lead you to think it's just that style of antenna that is bad. Or you might test an antenna that has a different radiation pattern and ends up causing a higher reading on the received power meter so you think its all ok, but that same antenna might also have a high SWR which could damage your VTX but because of the radiation pattern affecting the measurement you miss that part and think the antenna is ok as is. So in short: SWR is the only indicator weather or not an antenna is working properly and tuned correctly, a signal strength measurement is more useful for determining differences in radiation pattern and antenna gain.
This very intriguing since I was a radio operator in the Marines, we had an OE-254 antenna for single channel that was the best for that application given we only had radio powered off of hmmwv battery. You can prolly Google picture it to see what it looks like. It looks like 2 cones with the point of the cones touching, I believe if I remember correctly each cone had 4 antennas about 6' long. I also learned that if there was a metal building near by we would set up next to it which would boost out omni directional antenna in the desired direction. You could install a piece of metal on top boosting signal in the downward direction
Thanks for your service. I did 6 years in the Army. Was infantry but I liked talking to the Como guys because they would tell me all kind of cool radio stuff.
Since you like tinkering with antennas, try a 26mm 3 lobe circular ant. I would love to know how they compare to the 53mm ones. I use the half wave length ants for racing because they are small and I can make them left or right polarized. They work really well.
What do you think about the new Pagoda style antennas? They are smaller than the Cloverleafs and seem to be much more durable due their design. They are sold ready to go (Menace RC, Beerotor) and there are also DIY kits on the market. I almost forgot to mention that they should have up to 20% better performance compared to the normal Cloverleafs and SPW. I already ought 4 but I couldn't really test them yet.
I haven't bothered you in a while, but I do have a question. I have 2 builds going with the Flycolor cube (ESC, Flight controller). I get power tho esc's but not to the board. I thought it was integrated for power, but maybe I missed a power connection to the board (either 12v or 5 v). Can you see where I made the mistake?
I just bought this tester RC., it would be nice if you showed everything ? what are you plugging the test antenna's at., all my antenna's are store bought ., most if not all are 2.4 GHZ antenna's , I want to test my 2.4 GHZ antenna's store bought - TY
This is completely off subject for this video, but you wouldn't happen to have a diatone sp3 0-600mw VTX that you could do a video on? I can't find any videos that actually show how to setup things like rssi, vbat, etc....to actually make good use of this pain in the ass vtx =) Thx for the LED vids btw, extremely helpful
Good stuff, but confusing when you say that -27dBm field strength is less than -40dBm ... it's not. The negative sign is significant wrt dBm. You mean "absolute value" in this video.
I found the entire video to be confusing and disorganised. Just one example, you start with a "known good" antenna, but it has x's on top and you say you would definitely not put it on a multi rotor. If it is no good, why is it the benchmark ? Another thing, you talk about the power getting bigger or smaller compared to your standard. But the numbers are negative. What does bigger mean ?
Great videos ! Your instruction is great and helps everyone! I need that Immersion Meter :) Check out the Pagoda Antenna by Maarten Beart Far better than clover leaf and more damage proof with better stats. You can order the parts and jig and make your own from farvew,com
It’s crazy this guy has been gone before I got into the hobby and I’ve been viewing all his videos to learn from him but I didn’t notice until I checked out a few comments , he’s very smart and a big contributor to the hobby he loved and that’s awesome people recognize it in the comments , R.I.P.
Damn JC, we miss you.
true
Flying for you in 2024
When trying to determine if an antenna is "Good" the most important measurement is the SWR, especially if you want to make sure that you will not damage your VTX. Measuring the received signal at the other end does not necessarily reflect what is going on with an antenna.
You could have a great antenna design that is just not tuned properly for the particular frequency you are using, which would result in a high SWR and poor efficiency and in turn might lead you to think it's just that style of antenna that is bad.
Or you might test an antenna that has a different radiation pattern and ends up causing a higher reading on the received power meter so you think its all ok, but that same antenna might also have a high SWR which could damage your VTX but because of the radiation pattern affecting the measurement you miss that part and think the antenna is ok as is.
So in short: SWR is the only indicator weather or not an antenna is working properly and tuned correctly, a signal strength measurement is more useful for determining differences in radiation pattern and antenna gain.
Rewatching again. Miss you JC! Happy flying friend.
you guys with advanced tech skills are so awesome! .
This very intriguing since I was a radio operator in the Marines, we had an OE-254 antenna for single channel that was the best for that application given we only had radio powered off of hmmwv battery. You can prolly Google picture it to see what it looks like. It looks like 2 cones with the point of the cones touching, I believe if I remember correctly each cone had 4 antennas about 6' long. I also learned that if there was a metal building near by we would set up next to it which would boost out omni directional antenna in the desired direction. You could install a piece of metal on top boosting signal in the downward direction
Thanks for your service. I did 6 years in the Army. Was infantry but I liked talking to the Como guys because they would tell me all kind of cool radio stuff.
Project Blue Falcon awesome man! You can talk about us but you can't talk without us! Lol.
Project Blue Falcon thank you for your service as well
Finally it arrived! Your upload rate is insane dude, please keep this playlists management haha
Since you like tinkering with antennas, try a 26mm 3 lobe circular ant. I would love to know how they compare to the 53mm ones. I use the half wave length ants for racing because they are small and I can make them left or right polarized. They work really well.
I hope you find the perfect design. Great job.
What do you think about the new Pagoda style antennas? They are smaller than the Cloverleafs and seem to be much more durable due their design. They are sold ready to go (Menace RC, Beerotor) and there are also DIY kits on the market. I almost forgot to mention that they should have up to 20% better performance compared to the normal Cloverleafs and SPW. I already ought 4 but I couldn't really test them yet.
I have taken a look at them and they are interesting. I plan on picking some up soon.
Just ordered one. Very interested in seeing what kind of readings my homemade antennas get.
It's pricey but well worth it when making homemade antennas. The way I see it, it pays for itself from the money I've saved making my own.
What length of wire did you use on the "snail tail" ant with one wire?I make a similar one with 53mm wire, works really well as a race ant.
Its about the same length. Havn't nailed the perfect length down yet but its right around 53mm.
make the antenna wires 58mm for a full wave 5.8ghz signal?
I haven't bothered you in a while, but I do have a question. I have 2 builds going with the Flycolor cube (ESC, Flight controller). I get power tho esc's but not to the board. I thought it was integrated for power, but maybe I missed a power connection to the board (either 12v or 5 v). Can you see where I made the mistake?
I just bought this tester RC., it would be nice if you showed everything ? what are you plugging the test antenna's at., all my antenna's are store bought ., most if not all are 2.4 GHZ antenna's , I want to test my 2.4 GHZ antenna's store bought - TY
Thanks for more great content
Andrew McNeil has accurate readings and he has his router 3 rooms away blocked by three rooms
u.fl connectors are the future in my opinion. SMA is too big and heavy for a racing quad in my opinion.
Very helpful. keep up the great work!
Would u consider selling any of your antennas?
Great work.
This is completely off subject for this video, but you wouldn't happen to have a diatone sp3 0-600mw VTX that you could do a video on? I can't find any videos that actually show how to setup things like rssi, vbat, etc....to actually make good use of this pain in the ass vtx =) Thx for the LED vids btw, extremely helpful
nevermind, I didn't realize that it runs mwosd, and theres tons of old videos available =)
Good stuff, but confusing when you say that -27dBm field strength is less than -40dBm ... it's not. The negative sign is significant wrt dBm. You mean "absolute value" in this video.
Please try all
I found the entire video to be confusing and disorganised. Just one example, you start with a "known good" antenna, but it has x's on top and you say you would definitely not put it on a multi rotor. If it is no good, why is it the benchmark ? Another thing, you talk about the power getting bigger or smaller compared to your standard. But the numbers are negative. What does bigger mean ?
Damn JC...
great video but too much talking.
Great videos ! Your instruction is great and helps everyone! I need that Immersion Meter :) Check out the Pagoda Antenna by Maarten Beart Far better than clover leaf and more damage proof with better stats. You can order the parts and jig and make your own from farvew,com