Skipjack unable to run below 2'

[us&s]

I just purchased a prior owned D&E Skipjack. The sub will not run below 2' (operating in a pool or lake). It will run a good distance above the water. I have changed the batteries in the receiver and sub. Receiver is a Futaba Attack-4 AM75. The antenna is not crossing and runs over the WTC.

Any thoughts?

[petn7]

do you mean that your

do you mean that your sub can't get a signal below 2 feet?

[us&s]

Correct. I will lose signal

Correct. I will lose signal between 1.5-2' underwater.

[desert boat]

I may be getting old,

I may be getting old, but did you write "... it runs a good distance ABOVE the water." That sound's like the "Flying Sub" from the Seaview.

[d manley]

Well those boats are fast;

Well those boats are fast; I’m sure the propeller blade tips were in the water!

Dave

[ramius-ii]

Hi Gene]http://www.subcommittee.com/forum/icon_smile.gif
First question

Hi Gene]http://www.subcommittee.com/forum/icon_smile.gif[/img]
First question would be have you changed the batteries in the transmitter

A couple of things to check. First, the antenna should be stretched out as far as possible and not crossing anything metal. You can, if necessary, form the antenna into a "U" shape keeping the curved part as big as possible.

Next thing to check is that the end of the antenna is sealed from the water. It sound like this may be the problem as

The antenna is not crossing and runs over the WTC.

If the tip of the antenna is exposed to the water then when the sub submerges, then antenna gets shorted out. On the surface, since the antenna is on top of the WTC, there is no short and the antenna will act correctly.

You may also wish to make a close inspection of the antenna wire itself to ensure there are no bare spots or breaks or thin insulation spots in the insulation where water contact could be made.

Last, which is a bit more involved, is to have the transmitter tested to ensure it is providing full power. Then, if it's okay, have the receiver checked for correct sensitivity (no, not in an anger management class) If the receiver was ever subjected to a very strong transmitter signal close to it, the "front end" can become damaged and the receiver will not be as sensitive as it was. Hope this provides a direction.

Best, Ed

[bcliffe]

Gene,

I am assuming you are

Gene,

I am assuming you are also using a D&E WTC. If so you may also want to double check the connection point of the receiver antenna connecting to the external antenna.

Previously I had just been using a wire connection, and have recently converted it to a fork connector. The quality of my receiver connection has increased dramatically.

I had been experiencing un-expected noise which is now gone.

Cheers
BC

[us&s]

Thanks for the help (Ed

Thanks for the help (Ed and BC). BC how do I convert or find a fork connector for the antenna?

Thanks,
Gene

[bcliffe]

Gene,

Take a peek in the

Gene,

Take a peek in the electrical section in any automotive supply store. Typically you will see spade connectors and what I call a fork connector, or the crimp connector you would use when connecting to a terminal strip.

For best results I soldered the reciever wire to the connector.

If you need any more help feel free to drop me an e-mail and I will take a photo of what I am talking about.

Cheers
BC

[us&s]

BC,

Thanks alot.

Gene

BC,

Thanks alot.

Gene