Wonder-whip antenna

[cjkrit]

If I tie my homemade Wonder-whip antenna to the aluminium frame of my powerchute trike with plastic cable ties, will it be bad for the effectiveness of the antenna? That part of the frame runs 30 degrees upwards or does it have to be in more vertical position? Can I insert the full length of the antenna in thin plastic piping for protection?

Thanx.

[Kingfisher]

The length of the whip should first of all be 600mm. The must also be an earth area where the coaxial cable is terminated to the antenna , the mounting point. If you run the antenna whip parrallel to the airframe tubing the transmission and reception will be impaired and the antenna will reflect unwanted power back into the transceiver causing it to overheat and eventually be damaged. It is OK to put the whip inside plastic tubing but not close to metal tubing , it wants open air to operate properly.

Hope this helps , otherwise post a picture

[cjkrit]

Thanx a million for your answer to my question. What you say makes a lot of sense. I will stay away from metal as far as possible. Hope to test this tomorrow if weather permits.