High gain 2.4 GHz antennas - RF Cafe Forums

The original RF Cafe Forums were shut down in late 2012 due to maintenance issues - primarily having to spend time purging garbage posts from the board. At some point I might start the RF Cafe Forums again if the phpBB software gets better at filtering spam.

Below are the old forum threads, including responses to the original posts.
-- Amateur Radio
-- Anecdotes, Gripes & Humor
-- Antennas
-- CAE, CAD, & Software
-- Circuits & Components
-- Employment & Interviews
 -- Miscellany
-- Swap Shop
-- Systems
-- Test & Measurement
-- Webmaster

Earl
 Post subject: High gain 2.4 GHz antennas
Posted: Tue Sep 14, 2010 10:38 pm 
 
Captain

Joined: Wed Apr 05, 2006 7:50 am
Posts: 7
I have a remote control system for an R/C boat that operates on 2.4 GHz (spread spectrum of some sort). It comes with an antenna that is about 4" long. Is there a commercial (cheap) one that can extend the range of the system. I seem to only be getting about 500' from it now. Thanks.
 
   
 
LM317
 Post subject: Re: High gain 2.4 GHz antennas
Posted: Wed Sep 15, 2010 9:04 am 
 
Captain

Joined: Tue May 20, 2008 8:13 pm
Posts: 7
My guess is you're using a low-end system instead of a major brand - like Futaba, JR or Spektrum. Those systems are poorly designed and have just enough range to work within the capacity of the cheap model sthat come with them. Not being sarcastic here, just real. A different antenna wouldn't be worth the trouble. I suggest that you live with what you have for now, and if you plan to move on to more sophisticated models, buy a good system - the $250 will save you a lot of heartache and headache.

BTW I've been operating RC models for many decades and have seen a lot of people make the mistalke of trying to use those cheap systems in higher end models with disasterous results.
 
   
 
Roger
 Post subject: Re: High gain 2.4 GHz antennas
Posted: Sat Sep 25, 2010 10:43 am 
 
Lieutenant
User avatar

Joined: Fri Jul 06, 2007 10:36 am
Posts: 2
I'm not familiar with the hobby RC systems at 2.4 GHz, but I agree that your range problems are more than likely due to poor quality equipment. The stuff sold as package deals are usually barely qualified.

Price isn't always the ultimate indicator of quality, but if you do a common sense assessment of what it takes to produce the equipment and compare to the price, you can tell pretty well what is junk.

The principle applies to Ham gear as well. Pay bottom price get bottom performance. I've learned that the hard way. Nowadays I'll do without before buying junk. The exception is if the application is only temporary or for assessment. Then I buy the mid-to-good-quality equipment.




Posted  11/12/2012