The ultimate ground station

[daveycan]

This looks like a good setup. I will reference it in the future. One question though; what gives it reception behind the ground station?

[IBCrazy]

Directional antennas are't blind to their backs. They can still receive plenty of signal behind themselves. In the case of linear antennas, this typically is problematic because reflections will enter the antenna's main beam while the signal will enter tha back of the antenna resulting in a blackout. In the case of circular polarization, the reflected signal is knocked out by the antenna, so you have a fairly clean signal behind the antenna so long as you are close by.

-Alex

[IBCrazy]

What did you make the back plate out of? It looks like stainless, does it matter what kind of material sits behind the helicals?

The backplate for the helicals is galvanized steel. You can find it in just about any hardware store for about $12.50 per square foot. The mount is just a piece of 2" angle aluminum I found laying in my basement.

_Alex

[Twawsi2]

Thanks for posting that Alex, I was wondering if the screws going thru the Helical baseplate would interfere with the signal but if you've done it "and" secured it to metal on the backside, it must be ok. Glad you posted this when you did because my new project seems to be the same. Finding the "right, but simple and good" setup. Great work as usual!

[adm521]

Where can we buy these helicals now?

[adm521]

Also would you be willing to make a detailed wiring diagram for your station the ferrite rings placements and all. I bought your rhcp cloverleaf antennas from rmrc. Is this what you recommend using on the tx side with this setup? Thanks

[MASHTON1138]

Readymade has them for 2.4 and 1.2.

Marc

[IBCrazy]

@Adam - What do you mean ferrite ring? There are none. It's a very simple ground station. I mean really simple. It is basically two separate receiving stations on one tripod. What makes this one nice is that it has a volt meter and a built in recorder.

For the helicals, you can find them at: Urban Drones, ReadyMade RC, or Hobby Wireless.

-Alex

[adm521]

Alex.

It looks like there is a ring next to the recoder in the photo. Also I like to buy from readymade and they are out if stock in 2.4 that's why I ask to see if your are still making them for him. Also do you recommend using your Rchp Bluebeams on the tx side?

Thanks !

[MASHTON1138]

adm521,
Yes Alex's company is still making them for RMRC. Check Urbandrones and Hobby Wireless they carry them as well which I am sure you already read. LOL

If you use CP on the receiver side ie. a Helical, or Crosshair then you must use a CP (Blubeam) on the vtx side or suffer a 3dbi loss in signal strength.

Marc