Anyone have a hack for 12-15" long antenna tubes?  I can order some, but the shipping is about 3 times the amount of the tubes.

What diameter? The ones I have for my short antenna are about 3mm with a 1mm internal...but they are only 120mm in length. The are rigid enough that the material might work for 12" lengths. I guess that begs the question of mounting...will they be vertical stand alone or frame mounted?

so to only partially jack your thread, i too have an antenna tube question, and dont think its worth making a whole new thread on it.
i keep breaking the tubes i have, i guess they are too brittle, and somthing like coffee stirrers might be flimsy enough that it cuts the antenna in a crash.
whats the best antenna tube thats got flex, but isnt too flex. you guys mostly using tubes or zipties?

(03-Aug-2018, 01:49 AM)kaitylynn Wrote: What diameter?  The ones I have for my short antenna are about 3mm with a 1mm internal...but they are only 120mm in length.  The are rigid enough that the material might work for 12" lengths.  I guess that begs the question of mounting...will they be vertical stand alone or frame mounted?

External diameter of the antenna is 1.76mm.  Mounting is a good question.  I will probably ziptie to the frame and standoffs unless I come up with a better idea.

Long zip tie and heat shrink.

(03-Aug-2018, 04:24 AM)Krohsis Wrote: External diameter of the antenna is 1.76mm.  Mounting is a good question.  I will probably ziptie to the frame and standoffs unless I come up with a better idea.

1/4" OD irrigation tubing would offer some decent protection, rigid and supple at the same time.

I tried the ziptie and shrink and that works too, but the tube style hold up a bit better for me.

(03-Aug-2018, 04:42 AM)Sugs Wrote: Long zip tie and heat shrink.

Not sure a zip tie will work at that length.  I want something that will hold its nearly vertical shape.  Maybe an industrial sized zip tie?

(03-Aug-2018, 05:39 AM)kaitylynn Wrote: 1/4" OD irrigation tubing would offer some decent protection, rigid and supple at the same time.

I tried the ziptie and shrink and that works too, but the tube style hold up a bit better for me.

Irrigation tubing, great idea, and at the local Home Depot.  Thanks for the idea, I'll give it a try.  And pickup some monster zip ties and try that too.  You guys are awesome!

I had a lot of bad luck with tubes. I now zip tie and heat shrink my antennas to the arms. Works well for me and holds up very well. Only had to change one antenna wire since doing that and that was from a crash that took out a motor arm and antenna. Once in a while a zip tie will break but it's super easy to repair in the field and don't need anything but a zip tie and shrink wrap. For long range like you're doing tubes high in the air might work better in your circumstance.

(03-Aug-2018, 05:39 AM)kaitylynn Wrote: 1/4" OD irrigation tubing would offer some decent protection, rigid and supple at the same time.

I tried the ziptie and shrink and that works too, but the tube style hold up a bit better for me.

I took your suggestion to heart and ordered the below roll of tubing from Home Depot.  I got 50' for 4.00,,,,50' is a lot, but the bright side is I have enough for quads for the rest of my life!  I went with 1/8" tubing, but your suggestion was perfect!

Thanks!

The first prototype of the long RX antenna is complete, and yes it's a little long.  The irrigation tube works pretty good.  I would like them to be a little stiffer, but perhaps after a flight test tomorrow morning I will feel differently.   I did a bench test today through a closed shop door out to about 300 yards, LQ never changed.  So that's a good sign.  I plan to fly a mile out tomorrow, we will see if this mod is better than the Immortal T.  It definitely makes getting the antenna vertical easier than the Immortal T.

(10-Aug-2018, 11:22 PM)Krohsis Wrote: The first prototype of the long RX antenna is complete, and yes it's a little long.  The irrigation tube works pretty good.  I would like them to be a little stiffer, but perhaps after a flight test tomorrow morning I will feel differently.   I did a bench test today through a closed shop door out to about 300 yards, LQ never changed.  So that's a good sign.  I plan to fly a mile out tomorrow, we will see if this mod is better than the Immortal T.  It definitely makes getting the antenna vertical easier than the Immortal T.

Nice!
Call it "The Stinger"

How did the tube work out for the long flights?

(03-Aug-2018, 12:27 PM)Krohsis Wrote: Not sure a zip tie will work at that length.  I want something that will hold its nearly vertical shape.  Maybe an industrial sized zip tie?


Irrigation tubing, great idea, and at the local Home Depot.  Thanks for the idea, I'll give it a try.  And pickup some monster zip ties and try that too.  You guys are awesome!

(17-Aug-2018, 01:07 AM)kaitylynn Wrote: How did the tube work out for the long flights?

Fantastic, so thanks again!!

For sure! I am considering starting to convert The 5" over to a medium range craft. For fast stuff, The Japalura has proven to be the funnest I have and I feel bad letting the larger sibling languish lazily on the table. I would reposition the antenna more aft to accommodate a larger pack. I really appreciate the experience you are sharing!