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[aestus57]

Hi folks,

Here's what is probably a very basic question,.... I need to "hide" my R/C receiver aerial wire up the side of the mast, is it OK to cut the aerial wire and insert a plug and socket, (to allow the receiver to be removable) as long as I don't alter the original length of the aerial. ??  or doesn't the length of the aerial matter??

Many thanks
Peter

[Tug-Kenny RIP]

I'm no expert, but only viewing this question from an electrical point of view.

The connections of the contacts must be of good quality and NOT come apart during sailing, as the receiver won't like the short piece left.  It seems, from information I have learned from club members is it doesn't matter if the lead is too long, but it certainly does if it's too short.

Hope this helps, as I go this route with a removeable cabin/Ariel setup.

Cheers...Ken

[DickyD]

Yes plug and socket is OK as long as you have a good connection Peter.
I always keep aerial wire the same length, others will disagree.

Works for me

[Bryan Young]

Most R/C sets are designed for the model aircraft fraternity. A good aerial to them is vital. How many model boats are "steamed" to within a whisker of visual range? None, I suspect. How big is the Lake (pond,tank etc.) that you intend driving your boat on?
Tynemouth lake is pretty big as far as model boating is concerned, and I have found that the length of the aerial makes no difference whatsoever to the performance of the model. Two of my ships have the aerial "Sellotaped" around the inside of the hull with no adverse affects at all. As a beginner I used to read all the books and stuff and get worried about it...then I realised that the books were. in general, a load of whatever you want to call excrement. Aircraft; fine, Boats...don't worry to much....they even work still coiled up at 200 yards.....but just stretch it out and be surprised.

[wombat]

The length of the aerial is not super critical, though if you go too long or too short there will be adverse effects - you will probably lose range.
It is OK to cut the aerial and put on an antenna or a plug and socket. Always ensure that you maintain the same overall length as the original, as this will give you closest to the manufacturers designed performance. If you do shorten the lead for any reason, such as a rigid antenna, I suggest marking the receiver with the length you have cut off and the overall length of the original, so later down the line you can reuse the antenna.

Wom

[alan colson]

I try not to have aerial leads showing on scale models and run them around the inside of the hull just below the deck, I hold it in place with bluetak with little or no ill effects.
I run a Club 500 and an Interceptor which are reasonably fast, on these models I have the leads extended up the aerial tubes, this is for safety reasons.

[aestus57]

Many thanks everyone, knew I could rely on getting some good advice from this forum.

Peter

[Bartapuss]

Remember any modifications to the aerial wire itself ie. cutting it to fit a plug and socket will invalidate the warranty, personnally from experience I'd leave as is.