GP Antenna Material options

[uttam 0]

Hi Guys,

I built a GP Antenna for 868 Mhz, works great, but heres the problem. The antenna is pretty big, and we used thin Zinc ( Galvanised ) plated steel sheets. The result was a sort of flip flop antenna, with no strength at all! Heres what I want to do now, The reason for the thread here is to find out if what I'm doing is OK. I want to build the antenna using 1.6mm Copper clad PCB material. The construction remains the same, the spacing between the copper layers remains the same. The dielectric is still air. Will this work OK? Can I also have small plastic ( poly propylene tube ) spacers and plastic nuts and bolts holding the GP antenna together?

What is the best suited antenna for LOS range? Lets say video at 2.4ghz. Will a Helical antenna work best?

-Thanks,

Uttam

[Mr.RC-Cam 123]

General purpose FR4 PCB could be used on the groundplane element (copper side must face the driven element). If you don't want to use wood spacers, then I suggest Teflon plastic: http://www.rc-cam.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=2441

[uttam 0]

General purpose FR4 PCB could be used on the groundplane element (copper side must face the driven element). If you don't want to use wood spacers, then I suggest Teflon plastic: http://www.rc-cam.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=2441

Thanks! Thanks for making the design available

Can I use FR4 PCB for the driver element too?

-Uttam

[Mr.RC-Cam 123]

Can I use FR4 PCB for the driver element too?

I would not recommend it.

[uttam 0]

I would not recommend it.

Why not? Does it affect the dielectric in any way?

-TIA

Uttam

[Mr.RC-Cam 123]

FR4 is not RF passive. Laminates like Teflon and ceramic are normally associated with microwave designs. You may be totally happy with your FR4 solution, but it is hard to predict the affect on the design without measuring it. If it was me, I would just use a slightly thicker metal material for the driven element.