Improve antenna signal

[mkefoil]

I’m looking for ways to improve antenna signal strength (Maytech) on an underboard assist.

• The first version had it placed a couple mm below the lid of the unit in some magic gel. This didn’t work very well and often lost signal. Particularly when starting.
• I tried filling mast tracks with a 3d printed insert to reduce the amount of water between me and the antenna position. This had almost no impact.
• I tried a poorly placed and tuned antenna extender, but that didn’t improve things
• I have now attach a longer antenna lead. But this is fragile and requires taping everytime.

A few questions:

• Has anyone tried giving the top of an underboard unit a little hump that houses the antenna? This hump would extend up into the mast track and bring it as close as possible to the surface. While also keeping water above the antenna to a minimum. This has me the most excited due to simplicity and ease of switching between boards.
• could the magic gel potting be causing issue?
• or should I just revisit the antenna extender with more care?

[xrmichael]

Cut a slot in the housing and cast the antenna into it with epoxy

[tkfoil]

Check out my solution to that:
V1:

Light assist Season 3

Looks like you could make good use of a third arm when putting out that parawing while pumping, holding the remote, the camera and the parawing bar Great to hear that the motor is performing The silicon putty I was waiting for was delivered so I finished up the build: sealed the antenna compartments with silicon putty potted the electronic with magic gel → 250 g of magic gel put glue on every screw The complete unit with battery is at 3.57 kg. The prone board …

V2:

Light assist Season 3

Got the reception fixed. External and internal antenna are about 2 - 3 mm apart. The controller keeps connection even under water and up to about 5 cm distance. Above the water surface the reception is perfect up to a few meters away while the foil assist is under water. Here some images of the updated reception plate. It now also holds the nuts in place and stays on the board. [IMG_7139] [IMG_7138] [IMG_7137] Today I tried the small 35L board again with the improved antenna. But I had no …

You have to make sure that the antenna ends are very close to each other. I am still not 100% happy with my solution but it works. For V3 I am thinking of routing the external antenna into the mast track, so I could get rid of that plate.

The magic gel does not break your signal as it is not conductive. It’s the housing (if aluminum), carbon board/tracks and water.

[mkefoil]

PETG case in my build, so less attenuation from the housing.

Also using on inflatable boards primarily. Which have significant carbon plates but no carbon or fiberglass at all above the track slot. Which is why my thoughts went to trying to get the antenna as close to the pvc as possible with the “hump”. To reduce both carbon and water attenuation.

Always love your solutions @tkfoil V3 is looking great. Might go with the extender solution afterall if my other test doesn’t go well. Since my enclosures and lids are 3d printed I can still play around with many variations. Started a design a while ago that left room in the lid for an extender without requiring a plate, so I might go back to that route.