Technical, Techniques, Hints, and Tips > Radio Equipment

Easy-to-build transmitter range tester.

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OMK:
A nice little gadget for testing the range of your transmitters.

http://www.keirle8122.fsnet.co.uk/gadgets/fsm/fsm.htm

This unit was tested on a new 27MHz AM Futaba Tx (shiny new antenna), then compared with a battered old 2-ch Futaba (manky antenna). It shown that the manky antenna had a reduced range in the order of some 50%. And to prove it wasn't a fluke, antennas were swapped. The battered futaba sprang to life. The new Futaba had around 40% less range.
Nice thing is, it will test any transmitter - AM or FM - on any UK R/C band... 27Mhz, 35MHz or 40MHz. (72MHz if you make a slight change at the coil.).

As the ad. man would say: "Still suffering with jittery servos?"


PMK.

Fast Electricals:
Looks like a good circuit. I would not mind building one myself. I think there could be a market for a kit, if anyone fancied putting one together.

Neil

BobF:
I've often wondered if the fact that our antennas become stiff (stop it) when trying to increase or decrease the length due to a build up of surface grime, would cause a lack of conductivity and thus shorten the effective length of the aerial and there fore the range.

Any thoughts ???

Colin Bishop:
They probably need lubricating (sorry!) with switch cleaner to maintain optimum performance. Interesting point though, as I think we all tend to take TX aerials for granted and worry about the RX ones. I think I'll put some cleaner on my old sets anyway.

Fast Electricals:
With radio frequencies there could be a small gap between two sections of the antenna, yet it willl still work as long as there is sufficient capacitance across the gap to allow the RF current to flow. It is worth keeping the aerial clean and lubricated, just to stop you snapping it when retracting.

Neil 

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