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

If you fly RC model planes using FPV then you'll want to get the maximum range from your video transmitter and receiver. Here's my "top tip" for doing so -- make sure the receiver antenna is elevated as high as you can get it.

Simply raising the receiver to 4m above the ground has enabled me to obtain more than 2Kms distance from "off the shelf" 200mW 5.8GHz and 900MHz video equipment.

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Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• radio
• controlled
• model
• airplanes
• FPV
• first
• person
• view
• UAV
• RPV
• FoxTech
• HobbyKing
• Hobby
• King

[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.

[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?

[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.

[triple5ic]

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

Cheers

[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?

[davedolby85]

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