Thread: Antenna as actuator?

This is not a bad idea but remember that antennas extend a couple of feet. I think they use a wire inside a hollow metal segmented shaft. The wire is wound onto a spool to retract and unwound to extend. Because the shaft is metal, the wire doesn't kink.

Do a search for "keyboard extension" or similar terms. There's a guy on here who had the same need and built one out of lego technic parts and a spare motor he had. He's got video of it working. Pretty cool.

might do the trick if you dont need the full 6". If you do a fulcrum could extend the throw. Danaher Electrak1 12vdc Linear Actuator

Power antennas work well for motorization but have a few draw backs. They are fast and not powerful. They can be slowed down though. There are two ways to control the antenna ...limit switches or a timer. I prefer limit switches because they are generally easier to adjust. Sometimes there is no room to install the switch and a timer has to be used. Only problem with the timer is getting it timed so the motor does not burn up. Cool thing about power antennas is they are very quiet and small. Motorization is best when the motor is not seen nor the tracks and nothing is heard when it is in motion.

Fulcrum also work very well. I have used door lock actuators to move plexi doors with a fulcrum. The doors move very fast with the DLA.

all actuators really are, is a motor attached to a threaded rod, this rotates and the moving or extending part runs up and down the threads stopped at either end by limit switches.
small actuators are available but are expensive, at least in the uk they are. if you really want to buy one, try your local lawnmower repair shop, countax uses one that moves about six inches to lift the cutting deck.