So I soldered and shrink wrapped about an extra meter of wire to the short little 10 cm antenna on my daughter’s generic Chinese dual hub motor control board. I could cut it shorter but before I do, is there any benefit to keeping it longer? I can run it up or down the length of the board or into any shape or pattern that might be best for reception.
-Peter
Well you normally want to try and keep it away from live wires. Prebuilts go up to threw the deck into a small channel, then grip tape hides it.
Thanks mate. Makes sense about live wires. Did not know about pre builts as I have never had one. Maybe I will do the same thing though. Sounds like a good idea.
I could run this thing pretty much the whole length of the board after I cut a groove for it. Or would that much length be a waste?
-Peter
Radio antennas are designed to be in specific length increments based on frequency range and power transmitted so I’d keep the length added consistent with the original length.
good point. I remember taking an antenna course in physics in Uni. If I had the length at frequency matched multiple of the original, that might not be too bad. but might be more trouble than its worth.
I say wrap it in foil and call it good.
What does foil do? Shielding?
Do not listen to me. I was joking
LOL. It seems a credible joke, anyway. 
Certain things you just shouldn’t mess with. Radio bits are such things. As noted above, antennae length and sometimes shape are specifically designed to be the most effective size / shape.
Have you checked your mail lately?