Rx antenna fixing.....

[aburn09]

I've always attatched my rx attennas as shown in the picture below on my 2 inch and my 5 inch with cable ties heat shrink and this is the bit I'm querying I've always had the actual antenna poking out the top of the heatshrink as I assumed that part had to be exposed as the manufactures of the antennas have the antennas enclosed by the protective outer casing but that part exposed too ?
But watching a Josh Bardwell video the other day i now questioned my antenna set up so I was just wondering should I cable tie and heat shrink the entire antennas?
Just wondering what everyone else on here does as I assumed covering the entire antennas would reduce the signal ?

https://youtu.be/0Pai8iJUrh0

[ched]

As far as I am aware the only bit that actually receives is the last 12.92mm (for 5.8Ghz) that is unshielded.

Heatshrink should not reduce the sensitivity to any real degree.

I would say do what ever protects the antenna better.

[atomiclama]

Shrink wrap the whole thing. It will change the resonant centre frequency a little, but will you notice the difference, I doubt it.

[aburn09]

Just curious why the manufacturers don't cover the whole antenna in heatshrink ?...... There must be a reason ? I know the covering up to the exposed antenna is a shielding material but the last bit they could just clear heatshrink ?
I would rather heatshrink the entire antenna as then as well as protection it keeps the antenna straight as Josh mentioned so theoretically a better reception ?

[atomiclama]

Some antennas are covered the last bit well at least all the ones I've seen are.
It's usually the middle part of the coax that's left on.

Some have extra heatshrink some don't and that will be cheaper.

Yep lots of theory, but will you notice the difference  try it and see.

Oh yeah, some black heatshrink acts as a shield. To test put a piece in a microwave and give it a zap. If it heats up then it will block the rf and adversely effect your signal. If it stays room temp then it's ok.