Skyport antennae broke off

It just popped off it's little wire post. This was the one that had the good on/off button. I can't see how I could attach it back on but I was wondering, will any metal work, could I maybe clip a miniature alligator clip on it?

I've got one transmitter, the old kind and two receivers with problems, I've got $300 invested and not real thrilled. If I get a Ranger I'll want a different receiver, if I get a Quadra it will have it built in, if I get Profoto I'll dump
Skyports, so I've got to figure how to limp along. Push come to shove I'll use a sync cable for studio type portraits, maybe that's more dependable, just get a cable with the screw in PC connection. I'd rather put money into a portable light.

I imagine to get this repaired would cost with shipping as much as replacing one.

Been there. Twice. I wasn't able to get them fixed either time, so I had to buy replacements. I'm stuck in this love-hate relationship with the skyport. When they're working, I love them. But I HATE the way they're built!

Jannie wrote in post #12147170
It just popped off it's little wire post. This was the one that had the good on/off button. I can't see how I could attach it back on but I was wondering, will any metal work, could I maybe clip a miniature alligator clip on it?

I've got one transmitter, the old kind and two receivers with problems, I've got $300 invested and not real thrilled. If I get a Ranger I'll want a different receiver, if I get a Quadra it will have it built in, if I get Profoto I'll dump
Skyports, so I've got to figure how to limp along. Push come to shove I'll use a sync cable for studio type portraits, maybe that's more dependable, just get a cable with the screw in PC connection. I'd rather put money into a portable light.

I imagine to get this repaired would cost with shipping as much as replacing one.

Have you tried using it in a studio situation without the antenna?

Enjoy! Lon

I'd send it back to them and ask them to repair or replace, maybe ask for a quote. Maybe they'll be nice and give you a new one since they sell fragile products.

Mine are still fine.

I have 5 PW MultiMax units, two PW Plus Tx and Rx and 5 FlexTT5 units. Push come to shove, I can always re\y on the PW units. I put up with the Skyports only because when they do work, it's less hassle to use than the PW with my Eli strobes and they allow me to change the power level of my Eli strobes. But in the end, it's always the PW units that come through for me, no matter what strobe or flash I use. I've never regretted any of my PW purchases. That can't be said about my SkyPorts, though.

FlashZebra wrote in post #12147313
Have you tried using it in a studio situation without the antenna?

Enjoy! Lon

Good point. In a studio environment, the antenna may not really be necessary. Different matter on location, though.

Ive never had one issue with my skyports. I do overly baby my gear and I never even raise the antenna on the skyport Tx as Ive never found it to not work with it down.

Jannie: just out of curiosity, was this the newer SPEED version transmitter or the older non SPEED version?

ben_r_ wrote in post #12147741
Ive never had one issue with my skyports. I do overly baby my gear and I never even raise the antenna on the skyport Tx as Ive never found it to not work with it down.

Same here. I hear lots of complaints about skyports but I never had any problems with them. I have both versions of transmitters and both works ok. I never raise the antenna as tx works well with antenna down.

I just opened my older version and the design is really simple. If you dont have warranty left, I think its really easy to fix. Anyways it would be good if you could post pictures of antenna and that part of tx where it came off.
It maybe possible to put that antenna back but at this time I dont know how it broke so cant tell for sure. Even if the antenna is broken its easy to solder piece of wire and it should work just fine. Anybody with some skills in soldering should be able to do the job.
Jannie, if you want I can take few shots of my transmitter and show you where to solder the wire if necessary

ben_r_ wrote in post #12147741
Ive never had one issue with my skyports. I do overly baby my gear and I never even raise the antenna on the skyport Tx as Ive never found it to not work with it down.

Jannie: just out of curiosity, was this the newer SPEED version transmitter or the older non SPEED version?

I, on the other hand, don't baby my gear at all. I shoot primarily location work in very demanding/nasty conditions...and I've found my skyports to be VERY reliable. Admittedly, one of my skyport transmitters has lost it's antenna, but I haven't noticed much of a difference at all in range/reliability.

I NEVER raise the antenna's on either the transmitter or transceivers and have never had an issue with communication. I've had other issues (ugh!) but not with transmission. I've used the Skyports outdoors as well without raising the antennas and it works fine. Range doesn't seem to be an issue and keeping the antennas lowered keeps them safer than if they were raised.

It was the antennae on the receiver, these have only been on location a couple of times, the rest of the time with studio setups here at home. I baby my gear, I did mess a bit with the antennae off and it did seem to work but I was only about 8 feet away and that might be okay. I need to see if it works in the Octabank when it's covered up.

At close range the antenna shouldn't make a bit of difference.

Great!

TMR Design wrote in post #12148342
At close range the antenna shouldn't make a bit of difference.

Agreed...in fact I'm often a good 25-30 feet away from my light (outdoors) and I've never had an issue with transmission.

I wouldn't sweat it a bit, Jannie.

TMR Design wrote in post #12148311
I NEVER raise the antenna's on either the transmitter or transceivers and have never had an issue with communication. I've had other issues (ugh!) but not with transmission. I've used the Skyports outdoors as well without raising the antennas and it works fine. Range doesn't seem to be an issue and keeping the antennas lowered keeps them safer than if they were raised.

Same here, never raise the antenna as it feels too fragile. And with it down the range is not too bad.