I'm going to go deluxe. I'm going to use these two to make it easier to work on the TIU. The antenna mount will be on the top, and the jack on the radio board.
So if I use the Pigtail option, I solder the antenna to one of the small pins and the ground to the other? Are they marked as to which goes to which? Do I need some insulation between the small pins? I like the idea of being able to disconnect the antenna extension. Thanks for everyone's help.
The center wire goes to the actual antenna wire connection point, the braid goes to the copper border as Adrian illustrates.
Attachments
From Adrian's previous recommendation we used the below antenna and I found these cables which I cut off the small connector end and used that end to solder to the transceiver board. The antenna cable screws right into the other end of the cable. This combination make it easy to locate the TIU under the layout and mount the antenna on top of the layout.
Adrian- Is there any preference between the antenna you originally mentioned in the beginning of this post and the one you just listed?
https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B0...dt_b_product_details
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/pr...00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Bob D
NJ-HI Railers
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Images (1)
@rad400 posted:From Adrian's previous recommendation we used the below antenna and I found these cables which I cut off the small connector end and used that end to solder to the transceiver board. The antenna cable screws right into the other end of the cable. This combination make it easy to locate the TIU under the layout and mount the antenna on top of the layout.
Adrian- Is there any preference between the antenna you originally mentioned in the beginning of this post and the one you just listed?
https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B0...dt_b_product_details
Bob D
NJ-HI Railers
Honestly I didn't read the top of the post again.
If I recommended something already go with that. Honestly I just type "900 MHz antenna" into the amazon search bar anytime someone asks. If a different result comes up that's what I post next time. That old one has a nicer look actually. With the part shortage going on, I'd say just go with what's in stock!
--> Literally we're redesigning the radar modules for Mars Science Helicopter based on what we CAN and CANNOT get on digikey in a reasonable time... because of the parts shortage. It's super not fun.
@Adrian! posted:--> Literally we're redesigning the radar modules for Mars Science Helicopter based on what we CAN and CANNOT get on digikey in a reasonable time... because of the parts shortage. It's super not fun.
I feel your pain. I'm working on a project and it's a moving target, I check stock and they have the parts, so I design it in. Then I look to buy some to prototype, and it's out of stock! 
I've put several build orders in for some of my products, in every case I have to hunt up alternative parts so the build can proceed! 
It's getting nutty now with parts!
@Adrian! posted:Honestly I didn't read the top of the post again.
If I recommended something already go with that. Honestly I just type "900 MHz antenna" into the amazon search bar anytime someone asks. If a different result comes up that's what I post next time. That old one has a nicer look actually. With the part shortage going on, I'd say just go with what's in stock!
--> Literally we're redesigning the radar modules for Mars Science Helicopter based on what we CAN and CANNOT get on digikey in a reasonable time... because of the parts shortage. It's super not fun.
Adrian - Is the loop in the antenna lead in the TIU pictured above, a potential issue for interference?
The loop is not a problem Bob.
When soldering, how does one prevent the center wire from connecting with the ground braid. Is there some sort of insulation that needs to be added?
Thx.
The center wire is insulated, just peel the braid back far enough to leave the insulation between them. See the graphic below, the clear plastic is the center conductor insulation.
