Skyport antennae broke off

kokakaste2 wrote in post #12148542
Same here, never raise the antenna as it feels too fragile. And with it down the range is not too bad.

At 2.4 GHz it really does not make big difference

I kinda figured that out, as the rf602 don't even have an antenna

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

Enjoy! Lon

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

kokakaste2 wrote in post #12148542
Same here, never raise the antenna as it feels too fragile. And with it down the range is not too bad.

Jannie, I can confirm that your skyports may still work indoors. Both of mine did. But they became highly unreliable at any significant distances outdoors. So I ended up getting new ones. Like several responders have suggested, I no longer raise the silly antenna. It works just fine, even outdoors. I just wish as much care & thought went into their triggers as their other equipment. I can't count how many shots got flubbed before I realized that the Tx had slid backwards slightly within the shoe (I have the older style). Sure, there are about a half-dozen 10-second solutions that eliminate the non-locking foot issue, but how irritating is that??

SilverHCIC wrote in post #12148659
... but how irritating is that??

Completely and utterly irritating. I use a thin band of velcro to secure the TX in the hot shoe. It works well but even that small inconvenience IS an inconvenience.

I've posted about the Skyport transmitter many times. Compared to some other really good designs and well made gear, Elinchrom simply dropped the ball on the Skyports.

I've tested it all over my home, around corners with the transmitter in one room and the receiver in another and not having an antennae in these conditions - it works fine.

Yeah I've taped the transmitter onto the camera and is still seems to slide back just enough occasionally to stop working. But taping it in just to keep it from falling off and then stepping on it makes it worth the effort. I've never done that but once almost, I hadn't noticed it fell off as I was talking to the person I was photographing.

Sell your old transmitters guys and use the money to upgrade to the new SPEED versions. The screw in base ensures the transmitter wont fall out. That being said, I never had my old transmitter fall out. Also you can get about $70 around here for a used transmitter and the new SPEED one goes for about $95 from amazon and B&H. $25 aint bad for a better unit.

Also, hmmm, you guys got me thinking... I wonder if the antenna could be internalized on this transmitters. Ill have to pop mine open and have a look. There really is no need for an external, raiseable antenna on these IMO.

ben_r_ wrote in post #12149215
I wonder if the antenna could be internalized on this transmitters. Ill have to pop mine open and have a look. There really is no need for an external, raiseable antenna on these IMO.

There actually is copper strip on PWB that works as an antenna but its not designed to be one. Maybe they wanted to use external one as it can be raised vertically... who knows

Mine has broken off a couple times. Call the parts department and they will ship you out a new one for free. You just have to push in the new antenna

I've tried the SPEED version on longer distances (around 30 meters inside and maybe 50 outside) and flipping the antenna either way made little to no difference. I'm thinking a small drop of black hot glue to secure the antenna in the down position would be a good idea.

doidinho wrote in post #12156563
Mine has broken off a couple times. Call the parts department and they will ship you out a new one for free. You just have to push in the new antenna

David Rossberg wrote in post #12156852
I've tried the SPEED version on longer distances (around 30 meters inside and maybe 50 outside) and flipping the antenna either way made little to no difference. I'm thinking a small drop of black hot glue to secure the antenna in the down position would be a good idea.

That darned antenna is more trouble than it's worth. I'm pretty careful, and I've broken two. With my replacements, I don't even use the silly thing. It still works fine, without any mis-fires. ... Unless I forget to use a little rubber band to hold it in the shoe .

Just leave the silly antenna arm down, and call it good.