datamike
10-30-2003, 09:28 AM
Hey guys I need your expert help here.....
Am I the only one that hates the thin wire antennas that come with every R/C car?
First, they're a pain to deal with. Coiling the excess in the radio box, or winding it around the tube both cause problems. Plus, the wire is quite susceptible to damage and over the years I've replaced several antenna wires.
Second, I think they look terrible. Nothing screams "toy car" more than that thin plasic tube sticking straight up ruining the scale looks of our cars and trucks.
The wire antennas have irritated me since I was originally involved with r/c cars and planes in my teens. Then and now, I wrestled with the problem and came up with different solutions.
Currently, I've developed a "stealth antenna" that works great. Basically it's detachable from the receiver (which is great for maintenance, etc) and fits completely under the lexan body shell. Mounting varies depending on the car/truck. It works great. In fact, my testing using various trucks/cars is that it actually has a longer range than the stock wire antenna.
Now before anyone starts with the "you can't do that, antennas are tuned, yada, yada, yada", I must state that I am a computer/electrical engineer and have done my research before I attempted this project. I am not providing specific details as I'd have to file a patent application first (already talked to our attorney about it).
I've talked to a few people in the r/c industry about this, and have received a few different responses. Some have been positive, but many seem to have the "not invented here" syndrome where they are not interested in anything they didn't think of.
Some people have mentioned that the stick antennas aid in rolling the car/truck upright after a crash. In my testing, that doesn't seem to be the case with the occasional exception of touring cars, and certainly not with heavy monster trucks. I'd love to have some input here.
Anyway, I'd really like to know what you guys think. Is this something that only bugs me? Am I the only one that thinks the standard stick antennas ruin the look of our trucks/cars? Do you think this is a marketable product?
If I were to sell them, they would be in the $25-30 range.
Thanks for your input.
Am I the only one that hates the thin wire antennas that come with every R/C car?
First, they're a pain to deal with. Coiling the excess in the radio box, or winding it around the tube both cause problems. Plus, the wire is quite susceptible to damage and over the years I've replaced several antenna wires.
Second, I think they look terrible. Nothing screams "toy car" more than that thin plasic tube sticking straight up ruining the scale looks of our cars and trucks.
The wire antennas have irritated me since I was originally involved with r/c cars and planes in my teens. Then and now, I wrestled with the problem and came up with different solutions.
Currently, I've developed a "stealth antenna" that works great. Basically it's detachable from the receiver (which is great for maintenance, etc) and fits completely under the lexan body shell. Mounting varies depending on the car/truck. It works great. In fact, my testing using various trucks/cars is that it actually has a longer range than the stock wire antenna.
Now before anyone starts with the "you can't do that, antennas are tuned, yada, yada, yada", I must state that I am a computer/electrical engineer and have done my research before I attempted this project. I am not providing specific details as I'd have to file a patent application first (already talked to our attorney about it).
I've talked to a few people in the r/c industry about this, and have received a few different responses. Some have been positive, but many seem to have the "not invented here" syndrome where they are not interested in anything they didn't think of.
Some people have mentioned that the stick antennas aid in rolling the car/truck upright after a crash. In my testing, that doesn't seem to be the case with the occasional exception of touring cars, and certainly not with heavy monster trucks. I'd love to have some input here.
Anyway, I'd really like to know what you guys think. Is this something that only bugs me? Am I the only one that thinks the standard stick antennas ruin the look of our trucks/cars? Do you think this is a marketable product?
If I were to sell them, they would be in the $25-30 range.
Thanks for your input.