Just received the plates I ordered at Ponoko and mounted my electronics on it. My measures were good but I chosed to put the xBee on the side instead of on top so I missed two holes for it, fortunately tie wraps saved the day! Next version will account for the new placement of the xBee and protect it better. If people are interested I can upload the eps files for Ponoko after I make some adjustments.
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I've just came up with this post that surprised me
@Jani
1- Are you sure that common GPS receivers sends some RF?! (Nnot unintended reflections, but deliverated signals?!?) what for? to where?
2- Does acrylic block RF?!? I know that metals and carbon do but I thought most plastics were RF friendly such as acrylic and scotch tape (ok maybe some bearable attenuation)
GPS chip and receiver emits small radio frequencies, if you short circuit your antenna it will reflect everything back to GPS chip it self and that way overloads it. Different materials are reflecting those radio waves back with different amount. One best cover for GPS antennas is to have thin kevlar cover. Then again easiest way to burn your GPS is to have normal thin and clear packing tape on it (Like Scotch tape).. That small piece of packing tape shorts antenna totally and reflects everything back to GPS chip.
All commercial GPS antennas have special plastic cover to avoid this problem and different plastics behave different way.
I know I shouldn't cover the GPS, that's why I also have a spare top plate with holes if I want to later mount it on top of the acrylic. As of now I was able to get a GPS fix even inside, but you're right the reception is probably not optimal. But what do you mean I can burn it?
The bottom plate (which we don't see really well in the picture) is made from Delrin 3.2mm and Both top plates from Acrylic 3.0mm. Ponoko's materials, cutting and shipping cost about 30$, Delrin is a bit more expensive than acrylic but is more resistant.
@SciFly I know I could do that but... I don't have a drill. I was kind of hoping I could assemble an entire quad without needing one :P