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[lenny]

what sort of antenna should i buy for my model boat
i will be using a hi-tec 2 channel radio so does the boat need a special antenna for the reciever or just hang the cable from the reciever out the boat window
can i use the stainless steel hand rail as a antenna?
lenny

[Stavros]

Ther are various ways of doing this so here goes

option 1 buy an aerial from a model shop
          2 tape the reciever aerial around the hull of the boat
          3 run it up inside the mast unless it is a yacht!!!!
          4 drill small hole in deck or superstructure and dangle along the boat

I am sure that others will also have a valuabe input word to the wise here dont cut the reciever arial as you will effect it's performance



Stavros

[Colin Bishop]

It's usually safe enough to run the standard receiver wire around the inside of the superstructure as high up as possible (as long as it isn't made of metal!) You may need to cut the wire and introduce a small plug and socket to allow the superstructure to be removed but this won't affect reception. The range will be more adequate for any ponds you are likely to run the boat on.

[Peter Fitness]

I always fit a plastic tube as high as possible around the inside of the hull (wooden or fibreglass), and run the receiver aerial through that. I have never had a problem with reception in any of my boats, to the limit of visual range. As Stavros said, NEVER, EVER cut the aerial because, as I understand it, the length of the aerial is critical to good reception.
Peter.

[Captain Jack]

Or, you could opt for the 2.4 GZ radio, and never worry about the antenna again, as they're less than two inches long. The plus side, is that'll you'll never have to worry about changing chrystals, or having another radio take over control of your boat. Also, motor EMI causing control glitches is a thing of the past. Using the same radio for different models is also easy, just by selecting a preset program for each model.
  I know someone will take offense to my next statement, but anything other than the 2.4's are obsolete.

[lenny]

yeah thanks  Stavros.
 You right mate i wont cut the reciever wire but i was going to put a stainless arial on the end of the wire. It was off a remote tip truck my son had years ago. maybe now i'll just put the reciever wire  around the hull (just inside) thanks for your thoughts on this it  has helped me.
 
Colin Bishop.
 Thank you for your reply also. Yep i do want to keep the boat in sight so the reciever wire around the hull should be ideal.

Peter Fitness.
 Thank you I really like the idea of the tubeing keeps excess wires out of the drive shaft universals

Captain Jack.
I must admit that I was really taken with the cocept of 2.4 GHZ radio when I decided to get back into model boats again but for me I dont need a great deal of range for my pond and a simple 2 channel 29MZ  will get me on the water. I will  be envious of your 2.4 GHZ but i'll make do with what I have for now.  Thanks for your help and thoughts, I do apprectiate all input its all food for thought and we are all better of for it
lenny

[Colin Bishop]

Cutting the wire and fitting a plug/socket doesn't matter - it's altering the overall length of the aerial that affects reception - especially shortening it.

[Captain Jack]

Lenny, my apologies, I misread the post. I was under the assumption you were also purchasing a radio. The idea of just snaking the antenna through the uppermost portions of the hull has always worked good for me too. At the range we boaters operate, that type installation will be more than adequate.