great range

[go_zz_go]

after having my sons car (49 mhz) go futher than mine (27 mhz)
i got up set and added a new anntena to the car help got about five feet inside. i still was unsatisfied so i went to the shack and got a cordless phone antenna for the charger its like 36 " long closed it is as long as stock fully extended it was real easy five screws and thats it heres how

undo four on back of controler one is in batt compartment then open up and remove the little screw threw the antennas base thatis it the only problem you might encounter is if the antenna has the round bottom youll have to grind it square easy done
after that i easily had thrity feet inside and well over fifty feet out side and best of all it cost 4 bucks

[MTL]

do u have a picture of your controller now?

[tuner00]

I also did a similar mod and it extended my range to 40 feet (at least).
I bought it same time as my ZipZaps since I saw my friends range were very short (less than 10 feet).

RadioShack part#270-1416A
Cordless telephone antenna

Mine extends to about 22 3/4" total including the part inside the controller.

Photos will be here (second page): http://www.importcarworld.com/gallery/zip/index.htm

[tuner00]

I did do the mod to both 49mhz and 27mhz controllers both with great results.

[mechanist]

Question for you guys that did this mod too.

Does your new antenna stick up from the controller instead of closing all the way down flush like the stock one?
My new antenna that I got from Radio Shack sticks up about 2 1/2" above the controller now.

Also: Did you have to modify the controller at all to get it to fit?
The antenna I bought was a bit thicker than the stock one so I had to cut the controller plastic a bit with a Dremel to get it to fit right.

After this mod I could get my car to move from much farther away but it still stutters and stops and starts. It's not a smooth controlled feeling.
I think I may still need to put a better antenna on my car. I'll have to try that too and see what my results are.

I used Radio Shack Part#: 270-1413A
24" extended.

[tuner00]

I actually had to grind the base of the the antenna a little to fit it properly inside the controller. (bench grinder)

I used the part #270-1416A which is only a little more than 22".

I'll have to see what your part looks like.

I also did modify the plastic cover by slicing off a part to get the antenna some space to get into so I can still cover the charging base.

Additional: and my antenna sticks out about 8" out of the controller when fully retracted.

[mechanist]

Yup.
I had to grind the bottom of the antenna a bit with a grinder as well.

I also had unscrewed the bottom part of the antenna (the elbow joint) and threw it away.

[tuner00]

I think the copper connection on the bottom gives me better contact to the antenna. I kept the bottom part and I think grinding it helped increase the connection.

:)

[tuner00]

Radioshack part# 270-1401B is longer by 8" compared to the previous one I tested.

total extension 30.5".

Description: Replacement Telescoping antenna.

Doesn't specifically say cordless antenna but it is the same type as the others.

It's also easier to install since it has a smaller base compared to the other one. (less to grind)

[Spitfire7001]

i get good range inside but outside it isnt so good.

[mechanist]

Originally posted by tuner00
I think the copper connection on the bottom gives me better contact to the antenna. I kept the bottom part and I think grinding it helped increase the connection.

:)

I'll be darned. Well I didn't put the bottom part back on but I did grind off the chrome off the bottom of my new controller antenna to expose the copper colored base metal.

This DID improve my range.
While I'm still not seeing 100' like some people I can get up to about 30' outside now and 15-20 inside depending on the room. At least I don't feel like I'm gonna lose contact with my car during a race around a decent sized indoor track now.

In total I've done the controller Antenna mod and the car antenna mod (replaced my stock car antenna with 8" of 1 conductor from a junked Cat 5 Ethernet cable) and I've got that antenna coming out of the front left fender (1/16" hole) like a car radio antenna.

[SlackerZ]

would a blob of solder ontop of the tiny screw inside the controller that mounts the antenna improve the signal strength?
-SlackerZ

[nateomedia]

I bought the cordless phone antenna (#270-1416A) and installed it in my 27mhz ZZ which was having SERIOUS range issues. I just took it outside and it got at least 30 ft. Inside I never lost it. Beautiful! My car has no other mods (other than untying the knot in the car antenna).

Getting the screw out of the bottom part of the replacement antenna was the trickiest part for me. Nothing a little WD-40 and elbow grease couldn't fix though.

Even though the antenna bottom is round, I didn't grind it. I just screwed it in and the plastic moved out of it's way. The backside of the controller still fit over and you can't tell the difference. Nice.

The only thing I don't like about this mod is that there is now free space around the antenna hole on the top of the controller. What have you guys been using to plug the hole?

[DesertJedi]

Previous poster, you can fill in around the antenna with a blob of hot glue.

Now, my question for the group. When I opened up my controller, a little metal rod 1/2" long fell out. I didn't see where it went, but suspect it has something to do with the antenna. Anybody know what this is and where to put it? Thanks

[go_zz_go]

yeah that holds you handy dandy wrist strap

[DesertJedi]

Uh....duh....yeah, I knew that...I was testin' ya. ;-) Thanks GZG!!! :-D

[mechanist]

Hey DesertJedi:
You in SLC too? Know of any good tracks in town at hobby shops perhaps? Or of any times that people get together and race around here?

[slopster [37]]

The only thing I don't like about this mod is that there is now free space around the antenna hole on the top of the controller. What have you guys been using to plug the hole? [/B][/QUOTE]

You can plug the hole w/ some of the rubber flying off my tires as my 911 smokes yer a$$! You can run but you can't hide nate! :D

[DesertJedi]

Yo Slop,
Check out page 1 of the thread. I suggested hot glue...great stuff, works on everything!!!!! Mech-dude....haven't seen any body offering races in SLC yet. Lots of interest in Micro RC though. Check out the push cart in Fashion Place Mall. Bensu knock offs for $24...comes with a pack of AA batteries for the controller. The guy there is making a killing...he even has HumVee bodies with a .50 Cal mounted on the roof!!!! His Digi Q prices are high, but who else in town has them??? I found a Nikko IR at TRU for $30. Harmon's (of all places) has cheap knockoffs for $10! Rat Shack is out..again. So lots of buzz around our little town. As for tracks, I've designed one and am starting to build it (found pics on a board on the web). When finished, I'll give you an update. I wouldn't mind hooking up with some racers around town....people are a little put off by my age, I have a 10 year old that's kinda into Micro RC, so that gives you some idea.

[mechanist]

Desert-Jedi:

Just sent you an email through the board. Give me a shout if you get it.
I'm not put off by the age thing. While I don't have a kid yet I'm hardly a 13 yr old.
;)

[shred]

I picked up a 3 foot telescoping antenna and put it in the remote and it only got me 1 extra foot extended or retracted.
Giving me a total of 6 feet now woo hoo :mad:

Is there a way to boost the power of the signal ?????

[mechanist]

Did you do any sort of antennna mod on the car?

[shred]

Did you do any sort of antennna mod on the car?

no im just going to return the 27 mhz car for a 49

[tuner00]

(the one for the controller)

some people get antennas with a base that needs some grinding to show the copper. This will definitely improve the connection. I'm not sure how you connected the new antenna but it should improve it well enough to reach at least 30 feet (esp. since you have a 3 foot antenna).

Something to try.

I did the antenna mod on mine (27 and 49) and they both improved with a range of more than 30 feet now.

If the better connection doesn't help, definitely return it.

[mechanist]

Yeah. If you are gonna only have 1 car then I think the 49Mhz is the one to have. The range on those tends to be much better.
If you're gonna have both freqs. then definately do all the antenna mods you can. You will end up with a decent range.

[Go0ty]

I got a 49mhz today and the range WITH THE PLASTIC CAP CLOSED and the ANTENNA DOWN it gets more range than a fully extended 27mhz antenna.

sad :(

[keith20]

Did the mod on a 27, Antenna for controller, RS# 270-1405A. Untied the knot. Filled the hole with hot glue. Ground the base to copper.

Before, 4 ft.

After, I don't know, I ran out of kitchen floor. (at least 18 ft though):D