frsky xjt antena mod. to mount internaly (aka hack module)

[rafa]

Hello ,
Searching for some person with previous experience.
Hava a XJT frsky module that I pretend to modify as "hack module" to install inside a radio.

The antenna does not reach to the place where it should go , neither do I like the screw on antennas (not of those kind of guys wanting to fit extra gain antennas , prefere a fixed antena with ipx connector at the circuit board).Have seen at least one case where the screw antenna was loose and lost the model-

I have and antenna that suits my neads like this one https://www.ebay.es/itm/Latest-Spektrum-Replacement-Antenna-DX6i-SPM6830/171075839032?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649.
Have also the ipx male that should go at the module end.

The question is : should I use the ipx or should cut if from the antenna and solder it directly to the module ?
I used to have good hand for soldering and have a good iron and good (leadded) thin wire solder core but I have seen a lot of guys just frying their modules or getting poor rssi.
If I woud not foresee any maintainance issues I would go straight to the direct soldering , but one never knows.
Another thing that I have heared is that the shielded length of the antenna should be allso some type of multiple of the wave lenght (not only the unshielded part) , so if I cut the ipx connector and strip some part of it to be soldered directly the original lenght would be less than the original and it could cause some rssi problems.
Any help is wellcome
Rafa.

Edit: the guy that did the xjt hack allready in this forum
https://forum.alofthobbies.com/inde...into-an-xht-for-vintage-radios.454/#post-3480
did solder it directlly but had a screw on antenna and the module comes with antnenna lead soldered and sma screw on antenna for those that dont know.

 

[Wayne]

OK - good questions. We have been back and forth with the IPX connectors on the transmitters with FrSky. I am more comfortable with soldering the antenna direct to the RF board. If this module already had am IPX installed, then I would be fine with it.

All of the frSky radios have had an IPX connector on them at some point, the X9 and X7 radios are now soldered direct, and the rest use an IPX.

I will warn you that it is very tough to strip that small coax, so that may help you decide as the IPX is actually really easy to install compared to getting a good strip on that tiny coax. (Might just be me, my eye site is not what it used to be..)

-Wayne

 

[rafa]

Thanks ,

 

[rafa]

Hi ,
Yesterday the ipx smd connectors that I had ordered finaly arrived home.
Today I had some time so first I tested the module to know the original swr and signal strenght it had with the original seting and then desoldered the antena cable from the module , cleaned with some wick cleaner (the one that looks like a lot of copper wires) with a big solder tip and finaly soldered first one of the ground legs and then the rest of the legs of the ipx smd conector , all with a small solder tip.
After i fitted the new antenna and measured again the swr and signan strength and values were just the same as with the original setup so I can call this a success,
Now its time to finish all to close the Tx , do some range check and "real testing",

 

[Wayne]

Sweet!

 

[rafa]

Finaly decided to finish the mod.
Initialy was doupting if doing an external hack (some sort of module bay attached to the back aka project "Quasimodo") or one totaly "under the (my) skin" aka project "Frankie".
Second option won, here you have some photos of the location of the module inside the tx , the way I soldered the connections to the module , the seccond antena , the opening at the back to access de config switches + bind button+led and a general front ,back left and right view.
Just have to make some range checks

 

[rafa]

The sticker on the front over the original switch tackes care not to switch the tx that way , its switchet by the red knob safety locking switch on the top right of the antennas (free publicity for aloft )

 

[rafa]

display is fixed with black SUGRU putty

 

[iflylilplanes]

FrSky XHT Module

www.frsky-rc.com

When will these be available? and, how much please.

 

[Wayne]

Around the end of the month. Not sure on the price yet.