5 turn Helical FPV antenna (5.8 GHz)

thingiverse

There are several excellent 5.8 GHz helical antennas currently available, but I sought one that provided complete protection for the wire, was compact and easy to print, and did not require using glue for assembly. My design comprises two items held together with a single screw, which can be no simpler. I have also developed a 7 turn version of the antenna, which can be found here: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2144979. Both left-hand polarized and right-hand polarized versions of the former and wire holder are available, so make sure to print the correct one. The antenna draws inspiration from Dave855's designs, with his previous work and components of his wire holders incorporated into my version. Build Instructions The reflector serves as a template only. Print it and use it to produce a reflector out of PCB material or copper. If you're using a PCB, the copper surface must face forward, i.e., be the side that the wire holder is attached to. Insert the antenna connector into the outermost hole on the reflector and trim the wire 5-6 mm above its surface. Separate the outer insulation of the antenna wire and solder it to the reflector. There's a photo illustrating this step, making it easier to understand what I mean. Coat the reflector with paint or lacquer to prevent fingerprints from forming on it. This is an aesthetic measure that may be skipped. Print the holder and the former separately. Use the wire former to create a spiral out of the wire. Insert the wire into the holder, cut it to size while in place, and fasten the holder to the reflector with an M3 screw and nut. Lastly, solder the main wire and antenna center wire together. The connection point to the antenna wire is crucial for achieving optimal results. Ensure that the main wire runs parallel to the reflector board for the last 4 mm of its length. This segment of the wire must be positioned exactly 2 mm from the reflector's surface (Thanks are due to Dave855 for this valuable information).