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TBS broke

Posted: Mon Dec 11, 2017 9:22 pm
by DOG
Hey there. Well today while flying around I hit one of my marker with the antenna. I broke my TBS unify Pro 5GB HV VTX right at the connection where the antenna mounts to the frame. I was wondering if this can be fix or junk it?
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Re: TBS broke

Posted: Tue Dec 12, 2017 6:38 am
by Derek
Cut the heat shrink off the end of the cable. Check to see where they connect. I've never had one but im thinking you could solder them back together

Re: TBS broke

Posted: Tue Dec 12, 2017 9:42 am
by KevG
Known fault, better off buying a new one, safer and not lots of cash either.

Re: TBS broke

Posted: Tue Dec 12, 2017 10:16 am
by Stambo
Not worth the risk, normally once a VTX has been going with it's antenna off it is history.
You might get it to work but at hugely reduced range and reliability.

Re: TBS broke

Posted: Tue Dec 12, 2017 10:53 am
by KevG
Stambo wrote:Not worth the risk, normally once a VTX has been going with it's antenna off it is history.
You might get it to work but at hugely reduced range and reliability.
Nah the tbs will be fine for this issue its got protection and shut offs built in, just get a new pig tail they have a stock u.fl connector so its an easy replace

Re: TBS broke

Posted: Tue Dec 12, 2017 12:46 pm
by DOG
Thanks again gentlemen for your response. My concern is that the wire inside is broke too. I'm thinking that should be continuous with no break in order to get the best reception. I did pick this up from helination for $25.00. Cheap enough just to get a new one to be on the safe side.

Re: TBS broke

Posted: Tue Dec 12, 2017 1:02 pm
by KevG
Just get a new pig tail, they clip off and clip back on, after you remove the goo around the connector, they are cheap as chips and the vtx should be fine, I think it was Josh Bardwell that run one of these for ages without an antenna to test it,

Extract from TBS site

TBS UNIFY PRO 5G8 HV (RP-SMA) ... quad during a race; Easy OSD, FC and RC channel changes, with fallback button menu; Robust RF amplifier allows powering up without antenna for hours! ... If you've ever repaired a quad during a race, you'll know the frustrations of not being able to power on and test your system.

Re: TBS broke

Posted: Tue Dec 12, 2017 4:53 pm
by DOG
Thanks Kev. G. I will get the pig tail and also a new so I will always have back up :)

Re: TBS broke

Posted: Tue Dec 12, 2017 7:15 pm
by Stambo
KevG wrote:Nah the tbs will be fine for this issue its got protection and shut offs built in, just get a new pig tail they have a stock u.fl connector so its an easy replace
Ok I learned something today. :)
Might have to think about changing to these then.

Re: TBS broke

Posted: Tue Dec 12, 2017 7:49 pm
by DOG
I learned something new too Stambo. That's why I posted on the site. You guys have better knowledge then I do when it comes to this stuff. Thanks again KevG :)

Re: TBS broke

Posted: Tue Dec 12, 2017 7:54 pm
by DOG
I found this on helination.com https://www.heli-nation.com/team-blacks ... ideo-tx-rx plus a new one will equal $34.90 for 2 cool deal for me anyway ;)

Re: TBS broke

Posted: Fri Dec 15, 2017 3:01 am
by DOG
Hey there. My 2 new pig tails are on the way :) Your correct Stambo that was Joshua Bardwell did a video on this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2afwhOXVb8c. I have one question... instead of solder a bridge to get it back on, can I use hot glue or liquid electrical tape to secure it? I don't want to melt the plastic inside the tail. I'll also use a small zip tie to hold it in place. Should that work too!

Re: TBS broke

Posted: Fri Dec 15, 2017 8:03 am
by Derek
I dunno man. I would think if its an electical connection, it should probably be soldered.

Re: TBS broke

Posted: Fri Dec 15, 2017 9:58 am
by KevG
You don't need to solder that joint, its a clip on joint and they use a special removable substance to help keep it for popping off when you mess with the screw in end,

a bit of hot glue or as I've done a strip of heatshrink around it, to hold it steady.

Personally I would not solder this joint when/if you break another pigtail it will be an absolute PITA to get off.

Re: TBS broke

Posted: Fri Dec 15, 2017 11:04 am
by Derek
A "clip on joint"? Thats cool!

Re: TBS broke

Posted: Fri Dec 15, 2017 11:37 pm
by DOG
Thanks KevG for your reply. I wasn't happy with the soldering tip. A dap of hot glue and heat shrink sounds good to me :)

Re: TBS broke

Posted: Sat Dec 16, 2017 8:18 am
by Graham Lawrie
Derek wrote:A "clip on joint"? Thats cool!
Its very similar to that used in mobile phone antenna and also DJI :)

Re: TBS broke

Posted: Wed Dec 20, 2017 11:36 pm
by DOG
OK my TBS replacement pigtail antenna came in :). I ordered 2 of them just in case. My question is, so I don't break my pigtail antenna again should I still mount it on top of my Fossil FSGX 210 like I had it before but this time add a 45 degree angle adapter like this https://www.helidirect.com/furious-fpv- ... apter.html or should I just drill a hole right out the back of the fossil frame and run my antenna through and bend the antenna up so it doesn't hit the props like this https://youtu.be/exD-3ZBROjw?t=63 or run the antenna through the back, add the 45 degree adapter to avoid the props? I just want to make sure the pigtail doesn't breaks again.

Re: TBS broke

Posted: Thu Dec 21, 2017 4:09 am
by DOG
Never mind. I went ahead and mounted the antenna straight out the back. It made the most sense :oops: Thanks anyway :)

Re: TBS broke

Posted: Thu Dec 21, 2017 2:09 pm
by KevG
DOG wrote:Never mind. I went ahead and mounted the antenna straight out the back. It made the most sense :oops: Thanks anyway :)
That's how I had mine straight out the back of the top plate