Maverick ET-73 Antenna Mods...

Smo-Ken · Posted: Jan 29 2007 Post subject: Maverick ET-73 Antenna Mods...

I first stumble across this thread Maverick Antenna Tweak on the VWB website last week and have been thinking about trying it. I was going to start a discussion about it here and since it was mentioned in the other Mav thread I figured what better time than now?

So has anyone over here tried this? I don't really have a big issue with reception on mine, but reading about how some guys are getting a signal down in their basement makes me wonder just how good it can be!

If I do play around with mine I will snap some photo's to post.
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Rubit · Posted: Jan 29 2007 Post subject:

I just got mine for Christmas and had to return it having a range of only three feet. The new one has a range of 100' in line of site directly facing the transmitter. Inside the range is very limited. This is a great find. Iread through all ten pages with interest. Will open mine in the next few days and see check it out.
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gizmofish · Posted: Jan 29 2007 Post subject:

You do realize that the link you posted goes to a thread from June 2005? It may be a bit dated at this point. It could, also, be quite relevant. Most fm radios use the wire loop antenna. It usually runs around the perimeter of the casing. Simply free it up, file a slot in the case and let it dangle. One additional word of advice: Tie a knot in the wire just before it exits the case as a stress relief. This can prevent the wire from being yanked out.

Let us know what you find. I'm considering the purchasing of one of these units. I need to know the limitatons

Neil

Smo-Ken · Posted: Jan 29 2007 Post subject:

62trvler · Newbie Joined: 29 Oct 2006 Posts: 80 Location: Michigan

This is very interesting. Please keep posting the updates. I have seen those dodads they stick on the side of cell phones to increase their range. I wonder if something like that would also work??????

somegeek · BBQ Fan Joined: 23 Dec 2006 Posts: 166

Rubit · Posted: Jan 30 2007 Post subject:

I opened mine up and like all the rest, no internal antenna beyound the circuit board loop.

I was getting read to place a wire in the vacant hole when I noticed a post tht said he soildered the wire across the three pads next to each other. I thought the mod only added a 6.54" wire to the vacant hole.
I am confused now for sure.
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somegeek · BBQ Fan Joined: 23 Dec 2006 Posts: 166

Rubit · Posted: Jan 30 2007 Post subject:

Got it, will make the mod shortly.
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Rubit · Posted: Jan 30 2007 Post subject:

I took a break from work and did the mod on the maverick. After quite a bit if testing, I figured I gained about 10% range.

I am not convinced we have the antenna length right since the total length that we need is 6.54 ". The circuit boar loop is say 1 1/2" in length. I�m no expert so anyone with the knowledge, jump in.

If you do not know your way around a circuit board, I would skip this one or find someone who has worked with boards before.

I did find this really good design link.
http://www.rfm.com/support/apnotes/antenna.pdf
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somegeek · BBQ Fan Joined: 23 Dec 2006 Posts: 166

6.48" is the quarter wave length for this device per that link. Someone posted the calculation.

Folks that did receive the unit a ways back when they properly shipped with antennas attached said the antennas were around 10" or so.

Given that loop trace is an antenna, not sure how you'd figure a aerial length other than the 6.48" length?
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Rubit · Posted: Jan 30 2007 Post subject:

From the design link I provided above they talk about a coil and a loop on the board like we have. In the older units it could be they had an antena but not the coil and the loop. Wild guess for sure.

If time permits I might add a few feet of wire then start cutting it down until it gets better. Or maybe worse.
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62trvler · Newbie Joined: 29 Oct 2006 Posts: 80 Location: Michigan

Do you think 18GA is a bit large for an antenna wire? Not sure just asking.

Rubit · Posted: Jan 30 2007 Post subject:

62trvler · Newbie Joined: 29 Oct 2006 Posts: 80 Location: Michigan

I was just going by my old hobby of RC cars and planes. The antenna wires were fairly small AWG and were placed in a thick plastic sleeve to hold them upright. I believe you can get the sleeve at hobby stores (Riders Hobby, ETC) It was around a 24 AWG stranded wire but not sure. I guess a guy could stop in sometime and see what they are using on their electronics and try the same but if yours is working it's mission accomplished.

Rubit · Posted: Jan 30 2007 Post subject:

62trvler · Newbie Joined: 29 Oct 2006 Posts: 80 Location: Michigan

I haven't been in it for years now but stop in the store every now and then to drool. I still have a couple planes I never finished and a boat. I have been here now for over 2 years so I bet a lot has changed. Jets sound like a great thing to watch as I can't fly.

Rubit · Posted: Jan 31 2007 Post subject:

I found this site for increasing your wireless computer network range and thought it would be fun to try on the maverick. If you go to the bottom of the page you will see an easy to build pie plate reflector. Might not work at all but it will be fun to play with just to see.

http://www.freeantennas.com/projects/outdoor_ap/index.html
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somegeek · BBQ Fan Joined: 23 Dec 2006 Posts: 166

Rubit · Posted: Jan 31 2007 Post subject:

I built my own R/C smokers and was in on two video shoots with the designer of the Goldberg Ultimate. Can't think of his name right now, a Candain. It was a few years back. A great plane to fly on a 120 4cycle
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