Topic: Length for WMR-200 Wire Antenna?

[LTCSZ]

OK, I apologize in advance...I know this post is in here somewhere, and I have searched for it; I need the length of the wire to use for the WMR-200 antenna fix; The one that is twisted around the antenna and then extends upward...Not the fancy, take the unit apart fix...Just the wire...Thanks...

Steve

[gadget_guy]

Basically the stock antenna is a dipole (think rabbit ears).  If you make an external antenna of the same type, each section should be approximately 6.48 inches give or take.  Anything reasonably close should work quite well.Th shield (braid) of the coax gets soldered to one leg and the center conductor gets soldered to the other.

[LTCSZ]

Thanks for the reply, but I don't have the intestinal fortituded to open the unit...I am very dangerous with a soldering iron...I kinow I saw a mod that involves just wrapping a length of wire around the existing external antenna...i just need the length of the wire and how much to wrap and how much to leave sticking out at the top...Thanks again,

Steve

[FrozenPenguin]

Excuse my ignorance, but what antenna is in question here, and why the mod ( i assume range ?)

[LTCSZ]

I am referring to the exterior, stock antenna...I am having difficulty receiving the rain gauge at my console...I have read that there is a simple (non-soldering) tweak involving wrapping a wire of a certain length around the external antenna...

Steve

[gadget_guy]

If you are going to passive couple a length of wire to the external antenna I would not be too concerned about the actual length.  I would try a few different lengths and see if the signal improves.  You may very well find that the signal improves sufficiently to make the link to the rain gauge reliable.  Since this changes the characteristics of the antenna, exact results are hard to predict.  Before I added the external antenna, I wrapped random lengths of wire around the external antenna.  All helped.  I wouldn't use too long a wire - say something in the range of 12-18 inches.  Give it a try and see what happens.

[aweatherguy]

Some report good results with a simple paper clip, here:

http://www.wxforum.net/index.php?topic=4892.0

Or search for "WMR200 Paper Clip" on this forum.

[BaronV]

an alternative might be to take a length of aluminium foil and wrap it around the current antenna to increase the lenght, but again results will vary quite significantly.

an alternative that is sure to increase your  reception is to make a reflector out of some cardboard and aluminium foil. Depending on where your console and instruments are make cut some cardboard in a parabolic shape and stick some aluminium foil to it. Then place it behind the antenna such that the focal point of the parabola is at the antenna

[DanS]

Take a look down at reply #3. http://www.weather-watch.com/smf/index.php/topic,37718.msg308386.html

[killwilly]

Take a look down at reply #3. http://www.weather-watch.com/smf/index.php/topic,37718.msg308386.html

This worked for me too, but I would advise making a loop in the wire at the top to prevent injury.

Alan