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Author Topic: Improving the range of the firecracker.  (Read 7394 times)

admeeral

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Improving the range of the firecracker.
« on: August 26, 2010, 01:28:23 PM »

I am using the old firecracker (for the serial interface) and talk to it through a USB / parallel device.
The transmission comes from a small half loop coil which generates a circular polarized signal. This is
not optimum for the typical TM751 which uses a linear antenna.  My firecracker mounts onto a box
which contains the USB interface.  I added an external PC ground plane and connected a short vertical
antenna to the ground plane through a small 3 turn coil.  This coil is situated adjacent to the internal half
loop.  This antenna then acts as a converter from circular to linear polarization.
 
Because the signal is a transient one I have not been able to come up with a measurement on signal
strength but I have observed that the signal can now reach to the farthest corners of my house, a very definite
improvement.  It also reaches out beyond the pool area.  I hope that this is helpful.
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dave w

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Re: Improving the range of the firecracker.
« Reply #1 on: August 26, 2010, 01:55:51 PM »

 :)%
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"This aftershave makes me look fat"

mquintas

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Re: Improving the range of the firecracker.
« Reply #2 on: August 26, 2010, 07:03:12 PM »

Hi,
Could you post a photo of the antenna mod?
Thanks!
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