idkfly222

Hello, i am considering building fixed wing w foam core and carbon fiber, not sure how many plys, or which twill and weight, but i am concerned about radio and fpv signal

i would mount electronics inside, and make small hole for antena to go on the outside surface of wing, and secure it with some tape, or total overkill laminate over one more ply of fiber glass ?

my concern is if antenas being this close to the carbonfiber chassis wont create some sort of signal interference weirdness

Lownverted

My Feedback: (4)

Carbon will fore sure block your RF signal. Putting the antenna outside is a good idea, but taping it down is not. That will block more than half of your RF pattern. Fiberglass is RF transparent, so that why you see many composite models are built with a fiberglass section for the radio gear. If you are planning an all carbon airframe, at minimum you should have one antenna top and bottom, with the element as far protruding as possible.

Red

speedracerntrixie

My Feedback: (29)

Red is correct. However as long as the antenna is external you shouldn’t have any issues. Here is an all CF sailplane I had, flew it for several years problem free. The little white nub just below the canopy is the antenna.

AndyMcBride

Good to know about how to manage carbon fiber airplane radio issues. Otherwise, outdoor cost a bunch of money and time.

jones440

Interesting read!