Hi! I updated my antenna with a foam covered spider (the one @abcd567 showed above).
I also bought a blue Flightaware stick.
Well, this setup made a huuuuge improvement over the one i used so far (a simple generic stick and a modded whip antenna, the one you have to cut to match the frequency).
This little antenna was a real suriprise
150-180 messages per second and almost a doubled range over the old setup.
I guess the final step is to put the spidy on the roof. Currently is outside on the balcony as the previous one.
Anybody used that grey pvc pipes?
They look ok to put the cable inside and leave only the spider outside on top.
tubo-pvc-filett-barra-da-6mt-pn-16-d1-1-2-.jpg
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IZ8292SWL:
If you mean this one, it works equally good.
QuickSpider-Ver1.jpg
Alternative receivers, antennas, amplifiers, connectors, adapters and general technical matters. No Flightradar24 issues.
It was my first version of Quick Spider dated 2015. Later I noticed people are so accustomed to bare copper radials and whip, they took it as a toy, and it was mostly rejected.
Therefore I released next version in which whip's & radial's insulation was peeled off, and this design was accepted immediatelyLast edited by abcd567; 2019-10-15, 09:05.
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Originally posted by abcd567 View PostRG6 cable comes in two varieties
(1) Low cost: Copper coated solid steel conductor.
(2) Better quality: solid copper conductor.
The copper coated steel one's steel starts corroding after the copper coating has corroded.
To check if the core wire is copper or copper coated steel, use a magnet
If core wire is solid copper, a thin layer of copper oxide on the surface won't degrade the antenna as already advised by wiedehopf.
Further oxidation of copper is also prevented by this surface layer.
However if core wire is copper clad steel, the steel will continue corroding. In this case it is better to apply spray paint (non-metallic) or apply a thin layer of some sealant over the exposed metal of whip and radials.
Well it looks like a coated solid stell... the magnet attracts it.
For the moment the antenna is working great and i'm waiting for the flightaware stick.
I also saw an antenna version with the protective plastic still attached to the copper elements.
Does it work well as this one?
Cheers!
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RG6 cable comes in two varieties
(1) Low cost: Copper coated solid steel conductor.
(2) Better quality: solid copper conductor.
The copper coated steel one's steel starts corroding after the copper coating has corroded.
To check if the core wire is copper or copper coated steel, use a magnet
If core wire is solid copper, a thin layer of copper oxide on the surface won't degrade the antenna as already advised by wiedehopf.
Further oxidation of copper is also prevented by this surface layer.
However if core wire is copper clad steel, the steel will continue corroding. In this case it is better to apply spray paint (non-metallic) or apply a thin layer of some sealant over the exposed metal of whip and radials.Last edited by abcd567; 2019-10-14, 22:39.
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Copper oxide on the surface won't degrade the antenna.
You might want to experiment with bending the top 0.5 to 1cm over, my spider needed quite a bit shorter of a whip to have optimal reception.
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Originally posted by abcd567 View PostApply spray paint or some sealant over exposed whip & radials to prevent corrossion.
Another tiny bit of silicone?
Actually i don't think that tiny bit layer of natural copper oxide will affect that much.
Is like having a plastic cover over them, even thinner.
What do you think?
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Originally posted by abcd567 View PostYou are missing two cable ties on outer jacket to hold the radials in position. Without something to grip radials in position, wind will change their orientation, and these wont be equally distributed over 360 degrees.
Please see two cable ties (black) in the photo below. These ties are provided specifically to grip the radials so that these dont get dis-oriented by motion or wind.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]11144[/ATTACH]
There are two transparent cable ties in that picture but are not visible!
Also i used some silicone as suggested to cover the radials insertion.
But i'm a bit worried about that copper radials... will they corrode over time and affect reception?
Do i have to put something on them?
Cheers!
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You may find this helpful with building any type of antenna.
There is a lot theory about VHF/UHF antennas:
http://www.tigereye.net.au/vk4ion/do...F_antennas.pdf
Edit:
And there also:
https://www.qrz.ru/schemes/contribute/arrl/chap18.pdfLast edited by matysldn; 2019-10-09, 18:23.
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Last edited by abcd567; 2019-10-09, 01:38.
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Easiest way is to block signals from one direction with a metal plate.
Even directional antennas have large sidelobes in reception.
Overall it gets really complicated.
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how can i build a directional antenna? i want one to just get data from one side.
funny thing isnt?
or i just incline the antenna to that side? like: _/_
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Originally posted by IZ8292SWL View PostToday i built the Spider Antenna without soldering!
[ATTACH=CONFIG]11141[/ATTACH]
Please see two cable ties (black) in the photo below. These ties are provided specifically to grip the radials so that these dont get dis-oriented by motion or wind.
Quick Spider.jpg
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