Ian Moody Posted September 11, 2017 Share Posted September 11, 2017 Hi Everyone, I have a Tony Nijhuis Spitfire 72 and would like to fit a Radio mast/aerial to it but want it to be 'knock off able' in case I tip the airframe on its back or hit it with my arm etc when rigging it. I have seen a few ideas in the past with springs as the base or screwing it into a blind nut or even using an pencil eraser. Has anyone used or seen a great idea used that protects the airframe should it get knocked off please Cheers Ian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Engine Doctor Posted September 11, 2017 Share Posted September 11, 2017 I have fitted aerials masts on a few models that plug in early and if caught on anything just bend and are easily bent back to shape. I make the aerial from a piece of bike spoke or threaded rod that you use for servo linkages etc. You can use piano wire but it's not as forgiving. Then laminate wood to this and sand to shape of aerial mast leaving a couple of inches of wire protruding from the bottom. I then push some snake inner over the wire ,this needs to be a tight push on fit.. I then drill a pilot hole in the the fuz where aerial is to be fitted and glue a shaped hard balsa , hardwood or ply block inside the fuz using the pilot hole as a guide . You could make the mounting block from laminated balsa for lightness. Make the block a reasonable size to spread the load .Then drill block when glue has set to accept a short length of shake outer and glue in the hole just below surface a of fuz .this forms a socket so needs to be firm. The aerial then just plugs in and is easily removed for transit . If the aerial is loose in the socket the wire plug in bit can be bent slightly to tighten it. Sorry for the long description force quick easy job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ady Hayward Posted September 11, 2017 Share Posted September 11, 2017 Hi, My solution was to create a slightly larger pocket for the aerial and put a small amount of silicone sealer in. Then push the antenna in having first thinly coated the base with a non stick substance such as Vaseline and leave until it has cured. Be sure to have cleaned up any surplus silicone. The antenna can then be puled out leaving a flexible pocket for the antenna. Adrian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bucksboy Posted September 11, 2017 Share Posted September 11, 2017 I built the same plane and attached a small but powerful magnet to the bottom of the aerial and another in a shallow socket in the plane. Just make sure you get the polarisation the correct way! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pickygit Posted September 11, 2017 Share Posted September 11, 2017 Hi Ian, Try this - it works successfully for me without blowing off or moving in flight. See pictures:- Glue magnets into fuse. Cover with cling film. Attach two more magnets over the cling film. Make a paste from epoxy and mico balloon and mould into rough shape over the magnets. Remove when cured. finish shape, make slot for plywood aerial and glue into position . Voila!. Edited By Pickygit on 11/09/2017 12:30:54 Edited By Pickygit on 11/09/2017 12:34:55 Edited By Pickygit on 11/09/2017 12:35:35 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Moody Posted September 12, 2017 Author Share Posted September 12, 2017 Many thanks to everyone who replied, there are some great ideas there. I forgot about the wonder of magnets and just how powerful the very small ones are these days. Will go and have a play with all the ideas now. Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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