Cheap things from China often have recycled or re-purposed parts. I had an antenna that came apart and is actually a tape measure with some rubber over it just soldered right to a threaded connector.

[–] Deebster 15 points 3 weeks ago

I think that must be fairly common as I remember a video talking about using a tape measure being used on a satellite.

I've found it! I thought it would have been Scott Manly, but it was a question in Tom Scott's Lateral quiz: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RrsBn1pzQFE

[–] MonkderVierte@lemmy.zip 3 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (2 children)

Uh, did the antenna work? Not a RF guy but as far as i know, the dimensions of the "wire" matter.

And btw, cheap chinese plastic things are likely to leak some hazardous chemicals.

[–] higgsboson@piefed.social 8 points 3 weeks ago

It "works" but isnt perfect. The length matters, but it does work and is the right(ish) length. I don't have the instruments to test it properly.

More, it just isnt very practical because it doesnt work much better than a small whip antenna. I do have a more powerful radio I need to test it on eventually, but it uses the wrong connector for that and I have to buy an adapter

[–] psud@aussie.zone 2 points 3 weeks ago

The aim with simple antennas is to get their length right to match the radio waves. Often at 1/4 of the wavelength.

The type of metal an antenna is made of matters, as the speed of light is different in different materials.

I suspect if it doesn't work well it's because the manufacturer either made it the wrong length or used a fibreglass tape measure rather than a steel one

[–] ripcord@lemmy.world 1 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Right but what about this case specifically

[–] muhyb@programming.dev 3 points 3 weeks ago

I would say it most likely came from a Chinese toy factory. They really have a creative way to use recycled/unused/broken parts. Sometimes it can get worse though.