can I remove the plastic case from the PCB Ant?

[Tr3TopFlyer]

I'm using the X6Rs and want to use the PCB antenna because it is suppose to provide better range. The plastic cases are bulky and somewhat heavy if you are trying to make the antennas stand up straight. Is there a reason why it is a bad idea to remove the plastic case and just put some heat shrink over the PCB? I can't think of a reason but someone told me it is not recommended. It was said that the case provides adequate spacing from any surface you might mount it to but I'm not putting the PCB near any surface but instead making it stand up straight.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/u5wywoq48xhh6 ... 0%20PM.jpg

[Flaps 30]

There is a slight chance that you could detune the antenna by doing what you suggest, but I doubt that it would have much of an effect. Past experience of Frsky receiver antenna's have shown that they are a long way from what they should be in practice.

Final opinion - As long as you are not going for a long out of sight flying like the FPV people try to do. I would go for it..

[Kilrah]

The only problem I see with it is that once the plastic case is removed the connection of the coax to the PCB becomes very fragile. The coax is thin and without the strain relief provided by the case the points where it's soldered will break very easily.

[Tr3TopFlyer]

There is a slight chance that you could detune the antenna by doing what you suggest, but I doubt that it would have much of an effect. Past experience of Frsky receiver antenna's have shown that they are a long way from what they should be in practice.

Final opinion - As long as you are not going for a long out of sight flying like the FPV people try to do. I would go for it..

Thanks Flaps.

[Tr3TopFlyer]

The only problem I see with it is that once the plastic case is removed the connection of the coax to the PCB becomes very fragile. The coax is thin and without the strain relief provided by the case the points where it's soldered will break very easily.

I'm really not concerned about that. I've protected the connection with heat shrink, so no flexing takes place, and there is no strain on it. I will watch it carefully though.

[Tr3TopFlyer]

I was finally able to get out today to do a range test. With my PCB antennas, that were removed from the plastic paddle cases, I was able to get a little more than 100m (in range test mode) before getting critical RSSI warning. Event then it was just momentary. I don't think removing the cases affect the antenna performance negatively.

[Spoogy]

Hi,

Could you post a photo(s) of those ripped down antennas? I liked to see what's "inside" and don't want to tear my antennas apart. Thanks!

-Spoogy

[Tr3TopFlyer]

Hi,

Could you post a photo(s) of those ripped down antennas? I liked to see what's "inside" and don't want to tear my antennas apart. Thanks!

-Spoogy

Unfortunately I have them covered with heat shrink but they are just little dipole antennas made on a pcb. Here is a picture of how they look on the model.

https://www.dropbox.com/sc/jvn57vfu4pr09fu/XhOaL9_5JG

[davidmc36]

How hard was it to get the plastic cases off?

[syelton1]

Looks like you did an excellent job, and IMO getting the ant away from all that carbon fiber would be better. Is the wire stiff enough to hold them there?

[LTMNO]

Hi,

Could you post a photo(s) of those ripped down antennas? I liked to see what's "inside" and don't want to tear my antennas apart. Thanks!

-Spoogy

Unfortunately I have them covered with heat shrink but they are just little dipole antennas made on a pcb. Here is a picture of how they look on the model.

https://www.dropbox.com/sc/jvn57vfu4pr09fu/XhOaL9_5JG

A little of topic here, but I like the picture of your Quad, could you share more full shots of it?
Would be very interested in hearing about your build.
Looks very custom.

Thanks.

[totof1965]

Here's some pics i've made a few days ago :





Hope it can help !

[Tr3TopFlyer]

How hard was it to get the plastic cases off?

Sorry that it took so long to get back to this.....I used an exacto knife and carefully worked in along the seam of the plastic casing. It's not hard and once you get the knife into the seam you can kind of pry the plastic case open. I've done this on three sets of PCB antennas now without damaging the PCB inside.

[Tr3TopFlyer]

Looks like you did an excellent job, and IMO getting the ant away from all that carbon fiber would be better. Is the wire stiff enough to hold them there?

The wire isn't stiff enough but I used some heatshrink over the wire to make it rigid enough to stand on its own. Yet it is flexible enough to stand up to crashes and straighten back up.

[Tr3TopFlyer]

Hi,

Could you post a photo(s) of those ripped down antennas? I liked to see what's "inside" and don't want to tear my antennas apart. Thanks!

-Spoogy

Unfortunately I have them covered with heat shrink but they are just little dipole antennas made on a pcb. Here is a picture of how they look on the model.

https://www.dropbox.com/sc/jvn57vfu4pr09fu/XhOaL9_5JG

A little of topic here, but I like the picture of your Quad, could you share more full shots of it?
Would be very interested in hearing about your build.
Looks very custom.

Thanks.

Thank you for the compliment. This is a Hoverthings Flip 360. It's 360mm motor to motor diagonally. I'm running...
CC3D, MT 2206-23 1200kv, Witespy RapidESC 12a, HQ8x5 props, 3S 2250mah

Here is a little video look...BTW it was before I put my X6R Rx on.
[BBvideo 425,350]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gkqdb006p64[/BBvideo]

Here is another mini quad that I did the same with the Rx....