Chris Jones 7 Posted September 19, 2014 Share Posted September 19, 2014 In trying to replace the antenna I think I have removed the foil pad from where the antenna gets soldered to the board as it will not solder to the board. Does anyone know a way around this or a fix or am I destined for a new board and an expensive repair? Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin Whybrow Posted September 19, 2014 Share Posted September 19, 2014 Can you post a photo of the affected area of the PCB? Edited By Martin Whybrow on 19/09/2014 18:20:46 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Bott - Moderator Posted September 19, 2014 Share Posted September 19, 2014 Chris, a quick way to get your Taranis working again would be to install a module in the slot at the back. This one should give exactly the same functionality as the internal one. For £19.79 Sorry - should have said, the DJT version fits the slot and is the telemetry one. Edited By Chris Bott - Moderator on 19/09/2014 18:43:33 And having thought about it some more, I'm thinking I'm wrong. I'm not sure the external slot supports telemetry functions. Anyone know for sure? Edited By Chris Bott - Moderator on 19/09/2014 18:44:50 Edited By Chris Bott - Moderator on 19/09/2014 18:45:22 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Jones 7 Posted September 19, 2014 Author Share Posted September 19, 2014 Good idea Chris. especially if I have to order a board from god knows where! The pad in question is immediately above the screw driver tip and between the two silver pads. It's very small! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin Whybrow Posted September 19, 2014 Share Posted September 19, 2014 The photo's a bit small, but it does look very much like the pad's disappeared. As the PCB is otherwise scrap, I would get some fine tinned copper wire, put a bend in the end where the pad should be and cut the end so it's about 2mm long; cut the other end so it lays over the remainder of the track but no further than the edge of the 'box' on the PCB. Carefully scrape the solder resist off the track and tin it, then solder the tinned copper wire onto it. You'll need a very fine bit, ideally on a temperature controlled iron. Edited By Martin Whybrow on 19/09/2014 19:07:18 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Jones 7 Posted September 19, 2014 Author Share Posted September 19, 2014 Great idea Martin ill try that, thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Jones 7 Posted September 19, 2014 Author Share Posted September 19, 2014 Martin that was brilliant! I actually made a triangle over the part where the pad was of the wire and melted some solder in, I now have a pad that I can solder the antenna to when it arrives! It's not attached to the board but I'll support it all with a spot of hot glue one the antenna is soldered in. Thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Bott - Moderator Posted September 19, 2014 Share Posted September 19, 2014 Are the two large pads for soldering the antenna braid to, and then there's a tiny one for the centre core? I think I'd be trying to scrape the green solder resist off as suggested, but then solder the aerial inner directly to the track. My other thought, looking at the pic, is that the internal module looks a perfect shape to fit inside the case of an external module. In which case, I wonder if they are the same, and could that be a source of spare? Oh, and finally, it's probably worth a word with Rich at T9Hobbysport to see if he can suggest your best options. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Jones 7 Posted September 19, 2014 Author Share Posted September 19, 2014 Yeah I've sent Rich an email to see if he can get a board but I'll ask him about the external board if he can't suggest anything or if my repair hasn't worked! thanks guys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Balaam Posted September 19, 2014 Share Posted September 19, 2014 I think this item will provide an elegant solution for your problem **LINK** Steve B Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Bott - Moderator Posted September 19, 2014 Share Posted September 19, 2014 That's the right solution Steve, good find. Especially with a pre-soldered pigtail option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Jones 7 Posted September 19, 2014 Author Share Posted September 19, 2014 Posted by Steve Balaam on 19/09/2014 20:17:53: I think this item will provide an elegant solution for your problem **LINK** Steve B Ooh Steve now that is good! Ordered! I seem to remember somewhere that the 5db antenna is a worthwhile upgrade too so two birds - one stone! Thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David... Posted September 20, 2014 Share Posted September 20, 2014 If you monitor your RSSI value while fying and vary your orientation to the model you will easily see the RF value varying. Observations: The amount of RF supplied to the antenna remains the same, the standard type will give a doughnut shaped what's called polar diagram around you when flying, well there will be a kink in the doughnut cause by the body, so signal is weakest behind you. And you have to keep the doughnut ring aligned with the model for best range. Now fit a higher gain antenna and because of what's called an effect like a gain-bandwidth product, you do indeed get more range but the doughnut becomes squashed with the effect that it becomes more directional. The standard antenna has the best overall performance for most of us. Edited By David... on 20/09/2014 08:02:09 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.