Pete's  Planes

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Range tests with compact receiver antennas

My EE Lightning has been flying with a Jeti 4 Rx .  The recommended 20" antenna is recessed into the solid sheet wing [as E, below]. I see a few small glitches on most flights. Range test on ground with contracted Tx antenna shows erratic control at 30metres. I am reluctant to fly when several transmitters are operating.

The Lightning fuselage is full of wiring. Servos in the nose, and motor in the tail.

With the objective of glitch-free operation, I am changing to a Shulze 835 Rx. This Rx works best with a long antenna, which is a problem on this small pusher model.

Antennas shown in B, C and D, all work well. Solid control at 45 metres. [FF7 transmitter; antenna contracted but not retracted]

With B, antenna could tangle with prop.

C is tidy, but difficult to retrofit.

D will be fitted and flight-tested.

Shulze Rx.

With E, F and G, control became erratic at about 30 metres.

Antenna wire lengths are 20" for E; 40" for F and G.