Re-Soldering Antenna?

[KevanB]

My receiver is so old i have to replace the antenna....is it safe to reaplace it by soldering a new one on? I have already done this before and had no bad results.
Im pretty stoopid if i just wasted a good receiver then...

[TSR6]

You can, but it needs to be the same lenth as the old antenna, and do not overheat the PC board.

-Troy

[KevanB]

Does it really need to be the same length? How will this affect the car? Less range?

[TSR6]

Originally posted by KevanB
Does it really need to be the same length? How will this affect the car? Less range?

The RX is tuned to that length of wire.

-T

[KevanB]

oh....well anyways in the first place.....when i was a noob,.....i cut a small length off the antenna when i first got it.....so i dont think my receiver will last much longer at this rate..
i knew i had to get a new one eventually :)

[TEM]

"The RX is tuned to that length of wire.".... I don't want to doubt anybody, but is it really?

From radio communications theory; the length of the antenna SHOULD be lambda(wavelength) divide by 2.

So they say anyways.... I'd just go for a piece of wire similar to the original piece and solder it in place of the old one. So far(well two of them) seemed to work well enough. They tell you whats best, but theres the alternative which is something that works.

You hear a million things about everything. Pick one, try and and see how it goes. In this case; what have you got to lose? Me, I run my antenna wires coiled on a 3" long piece of antenna tube that hides under the body. Whatever works. Now suppose the piece of wire that came with the RX is lambda/2, does it account for the inch or two we waste routing the wire or dangles out of the plastic tube? If it don't glitch, don't bother...

[TSR6]

Originally posted by TEM
"The RX is tuned to that length of wire.".... I don't want to doubt anybody, but is it really?

From radio communications theory; the length of the antenna SHOULD be lambda(wavelength) divide by 2.

I've heard that, but experiance shoots that down the drain. I used to have two recievers, and both, definately had different lenths. Even back when I worked at a hobby shop, we called hobby services several times to get RX wire length while replacing the rx wire, as we didn't have the same model RX in stock..

-Troy

[clancy]

I have had trouble with this issue myself, I too have always understood the length of the wire to be tuned to the reciever. That was shot to hell when they came out with the synthesized receiver, thirty channels on one receiver, and you don't have to cut or add too the antenna. Maybe its just magic?;)

[TEM]

Clancy, it's definately voodoo!

[pudder]

Originally posted by TSR6
I've heard that, but experiance shoots that down the drain. I used to have two recievers, and both, definately had different lenths. Even back when I worked at a hobby shop, we called hobby services several times to get RX wire length while replacing the rx wire, as we didn't have the same model RX in stock..

-Troy

Yes, I agree that it is tuned in to the wire length. When I was still very new to the sport, I extended my antenna to try and get longer range on a truck I had. Needless to say all I got was glitching.

I have replaced my antenna several times on my XR3 RX and I have had no problems yet. I always use the same kind and length of wire. If it does eventually get out of tune, I an always send it into JR for servicing.

[KevanB]

well, i just opened th receiver (not so hard) and soldered a new antenna on. HOPEFULLY it isnt glitchy and crappy, becuase im kinda short on money right now....

[TSR6]

Originally posted by clancy
I have had trouble with this issue myself, I too have always understood the length of the wire to be tuned to the reciever. That was shot to hell when they came out with the synthesized receiver, thirty channels on one receiver, and you don't have to cut or add too the antenna. Maybe its just magic?;)

The wire is tuned to the specific RX, not the individual frequency. Each RX has a different internal circuit, so I would assume that the wire is what finally tunes the signal.

If what you said was true, then you would also have to cut or add wire when changing crystalls.

-Troy

[clancy]

Now that makes sense, but I still am leaning on the magic theory.
:D

[KevanB]

so how could i send in the Hitec Receiver that I am using right now? Just send it in the mail to them, with a letter explaiing the problem? They might not do it though, becuase i've already opened the receiver and soldered a new antenna on....would they still service it?

[TSR6]

Originally posted by KevanB
so how could i send in the Hitec Receiver that I am using right now? Just send it in the mail to them, with a letter explaiing the problem? They might not do it though, becuase i've already opened the receiver and soldered a new antenna on....would they still service it?

I would call Hitec first, and then package it up, sent it in with a note explaining whats up. Since you already opened the case, it will not be a warrenty repair, so you probably will get charged.

-Troy