Top-Tip: How to get maximum range from your FPV video system

[wwmilanl]

Dear Sir: Great video, I have a question, will be good idea to put two transmitters in the plane? say one at 900mhz and the other at 5.8ghz? or you will create more problems than solutions? clearly on the base station you will have a diversity unit to peek the best signal.

Thanks in advances.

[N4161X]

would it be possible to instead of viewing through goggles if i plugged it in to my tv

[ehsanaman222]

Does it matter what material the pole is made out of? (metal, plastic..etc...)

[TheFatherOfFatty]

My may have to build your own amp. Use the dragon link and you could maybe use a comercial amp.

[rummie2000]

do you think this method could be used to increase the range on the RC device, lets say a plane? some RC planes have a good range you could fly them while some the range is less, my idea was to shoot the signal from a RC transmitter unit into an amplifier or high gain transmitter that is on a pole in the yard with the hope that it increase the range of the RC transmitter.. how possible you think this is and what would be your recommendation for such a project.

[lilphil26]

Buy a good antenna and see how far you can go!! Those dipoles are terrible!

[BennybumfIuff]

@RcModelReviews I have the same fpv setup as you and would love love love it if you could do a build video for a cloverleaf 5.8 ghz antenna and a test video. I am making some at the moment but apart from field testing I have no way to accurately test them. I live just over the ditch, in Tasmania.

[slaikie]

Hi, I'm looking at getting into FPV and want to find the best option before spending a lot of cash. I have a few questions. I live in Austria so 2.4 ghz and 5.8 ghz are my only real options. I could use 1300mhz but Id need to get a HAM radio license first.

Would using a good quality high gain Omni antenna eg 13Db make much of a difference to the range? Do you fly in a relatively clear area and do you keep LOS at all times or do your planes go out of visual range, behind trees etc?

[000006rapture]

Hi sir! love you uploads. can you show us how to make a DIY antenna tracking system?

[triple5ic]

I didn't think 900mhz and 1.2ghz was legal in australia, could somebody tell me whats legal?

Cheers

[davedolby85]

@triple5ic pretty sure only 2.4GHz and 5.8GHz are legal, correct me if im wrong

[stonerscolony]

You keep talking about the multipath effect you get at your location (notices big metal hangers lol) the simpler solution with or without the big pole would be to install an diversity system with 2 patch antennas. The diversity system takes 2 vid-RX feeds and chooses the strongest signal and relays that as actual video out. Place 1 patch antenna vertically and the other horizontally for omi direction cone on each axis, meaning even flying directly over yourself will not result in signal loss.

[antonyarnanova]

Are we able to operate on 1.2-1.3Hz here in New Zealand? I thought it was licensed by the Airways corporation only?

[ashtray360]

Someone below was asking about patch antennaes. They are ground plane dependent and work best 4-6" off the ground and at a 40-45% angle. Putting them high on a pole would not be a good idea.

[foamwings]

@ashtray360 Sir, you are correct. Not long ago, I had it all wrong: I put my whip or ducky on the car roof thinking it would improve the ground plane. I put my patchs on a pole about 3 meters. Results were negative. Thanks to you and others here, I am now doing the opposite. Today I will put the patch(with RX direct connect) @ 4", and the whip @ approx 4 meter. I am testing 900, 1.2, 2.4 and 5.8 systems. I thank you all for the tips.

[thefokker1]

Great vid. Thanks for sharing.

[RIPcombat]

I would like to see the range on the hitec 2.4 system i no you have one. with a 900and 5.8 vtx. i use hitec and i value you reviews

[Delaunay73]

What would be the best FPV frequency to use with Turnigy 9X and FrSky module?

A 900MHz with more than 200mW would kill the TX range? What about 5.8GHz systems? When is FoxTech transmitter review coming online? TNX

[RCModelReviews]

@Delaunay73 A 5.8GHz system will have least effect on your RC system. I've posted a video titled "A narrated FPV flight with the FY21AP and FoxTech 5.8GHz video system " that shows the FoxTech working out to 1.3Kms or so -- but I've actually had it out to 2.2Kms before it started to get too snowy to use.

[theonlyorange]

@RCModelReviews I was hoping you might be able to tell me whether 1.2Ghz is legal to use in New Zealand? Specifically the Lawmate tx/rx that has 8 channels ranging from 1164-1215MHz if that makes a difference. I was having a hard time trying to find information on the internet but then remembered that you are a Kiwi too and are a complete expert on this stuff!

[bluefisherking]

One quick (maybe stupid) question - I notice your antenna mast is wood/plastic - does it need to be non-metallic in order not to interfere with the reception? Or can I use an extending aluminium pole made for cleaning high windows...?

[discoape]

Really good idea to get a Hobbit for scale. Nice work ;-)

[dutchjones01]

top video mate,

sucks your in nz, im a aussie and got 2 fpv planes now cant fly that well myself (self taught) from what i can see there isnt that much fpv around canberra in australia, so your videos are helping me out lots, i got the epp fpv and the hobbyking fpv uav, is awesome but still waiting on my radio gear and that auto pilot system you use.

thanks again mate top stuff your doing :)

[Tonstar147]

@dutchjones01 Know the feeling champ i'm in wollongong nsw and when i talk fpv guys look at me like i've got two heads...

[fulg]

Are you planning to do a video showing tips on the placement of the multiple antennas (2.4GHz radio receiver aerials + 900MHz / 1.3GHz / 5.8GHz video transmitter) on the model itself? Presumably this will also affect the range you can get out of stock equipment.

[bluefisherking]

What about having just the antenna on the top of the pole, with a coax cable down to the receiver? Or would there be too much signal loss in the cable?

For the moment I am using the Fatshark video goggles with the built-in 5.8GHz receiver. (I know I will need to upgrade sooner or later, but I am not ready to do so yet. I am in the UK and using 2.4G r/c, so 5.8 is my only choice for AV.)

[RCModelReviews]

@bluefisherking You can do that with lower-frequency systems (900MHz) but as you go up in frequency the cable-loss becomes very significant, even if you're using good-quality coaxial cable. If you're looking to maximize range then keep the antenna as close to the receiver as possible. I hope to review the FoxTech 500mW 5.8GHz video transmitter soon -- anyone interested to see how a 150% power boost affects range?

[bluefisherking]

@RCModelReviews Thanks for the quick & useful reply - that is what I feared, then. Sounds like to get any improvement I will need to ditch the RX functionality of the fatshark goggles and use them only with a AV cable up to a new receiver & antenna on the top of a pole.

Actually, if I did put a new RX on a pole, could I plug that AV cable into the Fatshark TX and retransmit on 5.8 to the fatshark on a different channel? The FS re-transmitter would be 1m+ directly below the main RX at the top?

[Delaunay73]

@RCModelReviews I can't wait!

I'm just getting ready to buy a FPV system and was wondering about what to get to go with my Turnigy 9X and 2.4GHz FrSky module. The longer the range always the better!

I didn't know higher frequencies have bigger cable loses.

But let's see how the 5.8GHz 500mW does on the review...just can't wait!

If it gets no drop downs to about 2-2.5km it will be more than enough to start and have a great safety margin to play around.

: )

[dutchjones01]

@RCModelReviews hell yea :)

[magnusvr]

@RCModelReviews I just ordered one, so yes, I'm interested! :)

[SubatomicMD]

Can a Patch antenna,... say "14dbi" be installed on your RC Transmitter

[RCModelReviews]

@SubatomicMD Interesting that you should ask. I see that HiModel have a 7dBi patch antenna for the FrSky modules which they claim will deliver almost three times the range. Of course you'd have to be very careful where you pointed it because it's going to deliver less than a third the range if it's pointed the wrong way.

[SubatomicMD]

Great video....5 stars!!

[Juary70]

Nice idea. Here's a tip, use a telescopic fishing rod. Makes it easier to transport. :) Love your videos. Best Regards

[sshukri0]

Should I do the same with my patch antenna? I read somewhere the patch antennas should be as low to the ground as possible.

Any response is greatly appreciated.

[sk8rboy1255555]

@sshukri0

I've found 1.2ghz patch antennas to work best about 6 inches off the ground compare to 3-4 feet. Not sure compared to 10 feet + but whats the point since patches easily get 3 miles + with 400mw systems rather not have the trouble of a pole.

However I would love to see a patch on top that 4meter pole ^^

[rcflight13]

How do you extend the rand of you RC system though?

[daveyedgar]

what about patch antennas, have you used those and what is the range on those?

[B4its2L8guy]

I thought hey said size didn't matter. lol. Great tip, easy too, yet sill over looked by many. You have added plenty of value to this hobby Bruce. Nice job.

[rogueqd]

If you wanted to wander around, you could always strap the pole to a backpack harness. :)

[PHeMoX]

@rogueqd True indeed, but it's more difficult launching a plane by yourself that way.

@RCModelReviews: Thanks for the video on the 'ground station pole'. Gives me plenty of ideas to get an extra range out of my gear.

[rogueqd]

@PHeMoX Sorry, I forget that it's only us Aussies who use sarcasm. With a 4m pole strapped to your back you'd have trouble just balancing, put some FPV goggles on and you'd be falling over quite quickly. :)

[PHeMoX]

@rogueqd Oh, lol, yeah, seemed that one slipped right through indeed. xD

[rogueqd]

@PHeMoX Then again, you could always bring your wife and have her wear the back pack. :D

[MSargeNZ]

Also a good way to reduce multipathing and attenuation on the higher frequency stuff. Human shaped bags of water and fat are a pain when they walk between your antenna and the model.

[psygn0sis]

And of course.... The taller the pole... the greater the range. :)

[randyneighbour]

great tip

[lilboone9866]

Sweet!