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Radio Equipment => UHF Systems => Topic started by: M6TPV on March 11, 2013, 12:57:30 PM

Title: Which UHF...?
Post by: M6TPV on March 11, 2013, 12:57:30 PM
Hi and hello.  This is my first post here although I am a frequent viewer over on the FPVLab forum.

I have been FPVing for sometime and have a set up that uses 35MHz control and think its about time I ungraded to UHF but I am torn between the various systems out there...

I live in the UK, in Somerset and would like to ask fellow UK FPV'ers what there thoughts are and which system I should go for, at the moment I am toying between EzUHF and Dragon Link. 

Many thanks in advance..

M6TPV
Title: Re: Which UHF...?
Post by: pk-surfing on March 11, 2013, 01:33:23 PM
Buy once, buy the best....  :)

http://www.tslrs.com/ (http://www.tslrs.com/)

PK
Title: Re: Which UHF...?
Post by: M6TPV on March 11, 2013, 01:48:44 PM
Quote from: pk-surfing on March 11, 2013, 01:33:23 PM
Buy once, buy the best....  :)

http://www.tslrs.com/ (http://www.tslrs.com/)

PK

Looks nice, looks proper bash proof, can it be used with such items like Naza Controllers and EzOSDs?

Title: Re: Which UHF...?
Post by: wgt40w on March 11, 2013, 01:50:07 PM
Scherrer system, mentioned above is NOT UK legal (Scherrer only 433 to 440 MHz).

My vote goes to EZUHF - can be UK legal, wide selection of plug & play cables / leads to cameras available.
Title: Re: Which UHF...?
Post by: MarkLincs on March 11, 2013, 01:53:10 PM
Why do you need UHF...

You can fly 2.4ghz upto 1.5km or more 2km is possible

I am yet to understand why people need UHF all of a sudden

UHF 459 mhz is the UK Legal Band as well for model aircraft
Title: Re: Which UHF...?
Post by: Brod on March 11, 2013, 02:02:52 PM
well if you got a quad and fly low behind trees,buildings and bushes,2.4 wont cut it,UHF will :)
Title: Re: Which UHF...?
Post by: DaveyLC on March 11, 2013, 02:13:55 PM
2.4ghz is ok for LOS, short range FPV but if you want to push the envelope you need to look further down the spectrum.

I think what you chose will depend on a) your radio and b) your budget
Title: Re: Which UHF...?
Post by: MarkLincs on March 11, 2013, 02:47:01 PM
I'm sorry but 1.5km 2km is not LoS flying nor is short range

500m is short range 1.5 / 2 km medium and then 2km plus is long range ?

be it a quad or a plane

low flying 500m out plus more my 2.4ghz sets never let me down and Trees are not an issue low and behind them either. Its a myth that 2.4 a tree will block the signal totally it might reduce it slightly but certainly does not block it.

As for buildings that depends but you shouldn't be near them any way... only Iron works in a building will really cripple the signal an old stone building will have little effect.
Title: Re: Which UHF...?
Post by: DaveyLC on March 11, 2013, 03:00:56 PM
I'm not saying it doesn't work for you :) but in a high RF area 2.4 is pretty ropey.. And it really doesn't like organic things being in the way.
Title: Re: Which UHF...?
Post by: Brod on March 11, 2013, 03:01:17 PM
i said trees and bushes..plural :)..not one tree or bush :)
done tons of 1ft low behind bushes and trees and my JR 2.4 just failsafed,rise above 2ft and it comes back,no good to me..Futaba 2.4 probably better but not tried it..
Title: Re: Which UHF...?
Post by: Teamftp on March 11, 2013, 03:05:05 PM
Quote from: Brod on March 11, 2013, 02:02:52 PM
well if you got a quad and fly low behind trees,buildings and bushes,2.4 wont cut it,UHF will :)

My futaba 2.4ghz, even though quite a few years old but has diversity, will drop signal if I fly low and below the horizon line..... splat!!!

My UHF twitches though doing the same thing.

I have used CahinLinkDare UHF for a while and had some good results with it. However a new RX was ordered, tried to bind and now it is all locked out and will not bind at all!!!!

Got EZUHF now and that is good, plenty of nice distance flying but has glitched now and again. This was on a Futaba 6EX which is old yet still performs fine.

Now have the EZUHF on a Turnigy 9XR so lets see what that brings, hopefully not a crash  :laugh: :laugh:

Don't know if that has helped but at least you have a bit more info.
Title: Re: Which UHF...?
Post by: DaveyLC on March 11, 2013, 03:08:27 PM
Don't get me wrong I fly my quad on DSMX but its Naza + GPS so it can RTH on failsafe and I've been out almost 900 meters and I get a bit butt twitchy.. .. However not everyone  is flying something with RTH :).

I've taken my EzUHF equipt wing 3km and it was rock solid :)
Title: Re: Which UHF...?
Post by: pk-surfing on March 11, 2013, 03:19:54 PM
Quote from: wgt40w on March 11, 2013, 01:50:07 PM
Scherrer system, mentioned above is NOT UK legal (Scherrer only 433 to 440 MHz).

My vote goes to EZUHF - can be UK legal, wide selection of plug & play cables / leads to cameras available.

wgt40w,

And there's me thinking that my Amateur Radio License that I've held for many many years allows me to transmit digitally on the 433 and 440 bands...... I must be wrong  :)

PK
Title: Re: Which UHF...?
Post by: MarkLincs on March 11, 2013, 03:20:03 PM
Quote from: Teamftp on March 11, 2013, 03:05:05 PM
Quote from: Brod on March 11, 2013, 02:02:52 PM
well if you got a quad and fly low behind trees,buildings and bushes,2.4 wont cut it,UHF will :)

My futaba 2.4ghz, even though quite a few years old but has diversity, will drop signal if I fly low and below the horizon line..... splat!!!


Yes but you did fly below us... a lot of land between us and the model :)
Title: Re: Which UHF...?
Post by: MarkLincs on March 11, 2013, 03:21:15 PM
Quote from: Brod on March 11, 2013, 03:01:17 PM
i said trees and bushes..plural :)..not one tree or bush :)
done tons of 1ft low behind bushes and trees and my JR 2.4 just failsafed,rise above 2ft and it comes back,no good to me..Futaba 2.4 probably better but not tried it..

fine theres a row of trees I often flew between me and my model

JR 2.4ghz... DSM2 ? if yes then thats why you got drop outs and issues
Title: Re: Which UHF...?
Post by: DaveyLC on March 11, 2013, 03:22:27 PM
Quote from: pk-surfing on March 11, 2013, 03:19:54 PM
Quote from: wgt40w on March 11, 2013, 01:50:07 PM
Scherrer system, mentioned above is NOT UK legal (Scherrer only 433 to 440 MHz).

My vote goes to EZUHF - can be UK legal, wide selection of plug & play cables / leads to cameras available.

wgt40w,

And there's me thinking that my FULL Amateur Radio License that I've held for many many years allows me to transmit digitally on the 433 and 440 bands...... I must be wrong  :)

PK

You're totally legal to do that on the ground.. Not so legal from the air ;)

You'll find your license even covers you to transmit video on 1.3ghz but again not from the air :D

What ever way you skin this FPV cat its pretty much ALWAYS illegal.
Title: Re: Which UHF...?
Post by: wgt40w on March 11, 2013, 03:40:42 PM
Quote from: pk-surfing on March 11, 2013, 03:19:54 PM
Quote from: wgt40w on March 11, 2013, 01:50:07 PM
Scherrer system, mentioned above is NOT UK legal (Scherrer only 433 to 440 MHz).

My vote goes to EZUHF - can be UK legal, wide selection of plug & play cables / leads to cameras available.

wgt40w,

And there's me thinking that my FULL Amateur Radio License that I've held for many many years allows me to transmit digitally on the 433 and 440 bands...... I must be wrong  :)

PK

Possibly you are .....
Title: Re: Which UHF...?
Post by: M6TPV on March 11, 2013, 03:59:58 PM
Nice debate  :D

So people are suggesting EzUHF.  Do people have range issues with this as have been reported over on FPVLab or are they just not doing things right?

Primarily my UHF will be for an FPV wing flying with 2.4 Video, my quad, it may get UHF but at present it's flying 2.4 control with 5.8 Video.

Bob
Title: Re: Which UHF...?
Post by: Flyboysee on March 11, 2013, 04:02:26 PM
I use Dragon Link. Bought both my systems v1.0 second hand and I've never had the slightest glitch. Good bargains to be found on eBay and sometimes here, or splash out and get a new v2.0 from The States.
Title: Re: Which UHF...?
Post by: DaveyLC on March 11, 2013, 04:30:20 PM
Quote from: M6TPV on March 11, 2013, 03:59:58 PM
Nice debate  :D

So people are suggesting EzUHF.  Do people have range issues with this as have been reported over on FPVLab or are they just not doing things right?

Primarily my UHF will be for an FPV wing flying with 2.4 Video, my quad, it may get UHF but at present it's flying 2.4 control with 5.8 Video.

Bob
I've personally never had a problem :) I LURRRVEEE my EzUHF.

I had an original Dragon Link system and it was glitchy as f--k but that was only because I was using Spektrum and the early DL's don't have a pre-amp. The later ones have a pre-amp so us Spektrum touting low-lifes can use them :)

IMHO the support offered by Immersion is better too, when I had my DL there was no 'DIY' firmware option, I had to post it back to the states where as an Ez has a USB port, same as TSLRS too I believe.

As mentioned in a previous post the TSLRS is supposed to be 'the rollsroyce' of long range systems but the price does reflect that :)
Title: Re: Which UHF...?
Post by: Devonian on March 11, 2013, 05:01:05 PM
PK,
I don't think you can use your Amateur Radio ticket for R/C control on 70cm (or any band for that matter).
70cm telemetry from the model to operator is allowed though  (?)
http://www.ukrcc.org/35mhz.html (http://www.ukrcc.org/35mhz.html)

OLRS has been to the edge of space and back ;)
http://rcexplorer.se/blog/2013/03/fpv-to-space-and-back-2/ (http://rcexplorer.se/blog/2013/03/fpv-to-space-and-back-2/)

Nigel
Title: Re: Which UHF...?
Post by: pk-surfing on March 11, 2013, 05:48:08 PM
Digital transmission ok,  and remote control ok (of beacons only ?... doesn't actually say 'remote control of beacons only') up to 500mW pep erp ?

PK
Title: Re: Which UHF...?
Post by: FPVSteve on March 11, 2013, 06:32:41 PM
You say you're on 35MHz - why not just extend the antenna and GO! :D
Title: Re: Which UHF...?
Post by: Devonian on March 11, 2013, 10:52:16 PM
Quote from: pk-surfing on March 11, 2013, 05:48:08 PM
Digital transmission ok,  and remote control ok (of beacons only ?... doesn't actually say 'remote control of beacons only') up to 500mW pep erp ?

PK

So how/when/where do you send your unencrypted callsign then Paul?
I think it's a very grey area and I wouldn't want to be the UK test case!

It's a shame some of the 'best' systems are 'closed source' and not on 459MHz, that's why I'm persevering with OLRS as it's open source and totally configurable.

Nigel.
Title: Re: Which UHF...?
Post by: wgt40w on March 11, 2013, 11:01:42 PM
Devonian - I may be completely on the wrong tack, but - one of the features of an EZosd is:-

   "Periodic Amateur radio callsign broadcast, to comply with FCC regulations"
Title: Re: Which UHF...?
Post by: Devonian on March 11, 2013, 11:10:38 PM
EZosd or EZUHF ?

I'm not sure either way as I don't own any EZxxx equipment (and it too is 'closed source').

Nigel.
Title: Re: Which UHF...?
Post by: wgt40w on March 11, 2013, 11:14:54 PM
EZOSD
Title: Re: Which UHF...?
Post by: Iceman on March 11, 2013, 11:38:34 PM
QuoteOLRS has been to the edge of space and back ;)

And so has a bloke with a Parachute   :-*
Title: Re: Which UHF...?
Post by: Devonian on March 11, 2013, 11:46:49 PM
Quote from: wgt40w on March 11, 2013, 11:14:54 PM
EZOSD

OK, but the thread subject is 'Which UHF'

Quote from: iceman on March 11, 2013, 11:14:54 PM
OLRS has been to the edge of space and back

And so has a bloke with a Parachute   

Ditto the subject matter

Nigel
Title: Re: Which UHF...?
Post by: Iceman on March 12, 2013, 12:21:23 AM
My preference is for EzUHf as it seems to offer more for the FPV pilot out of the box. Its got good support and relatively easy to adapt for our needs.

I also have a TSLRS V4 (same as holds the out and return record 117km or something)

Regardless of which you choose 90% of the performance comes from the operators knowledge on how to use the system and recognise its limitations.

EzUHF latest firmware allows variable frequency radios to be used i.e 8fg/12fg etc
External power jack allows a separate power supply simply
easily swap TX Antenna's
Uk frequency support
Additional matching products to maximise your enjoyment. EzOSD, Antenna tracker, phone tracking.
Designer is in the 'current' trends loop
Built in Spectrum Analiser
User upgradeable Firmwares without a degree.
Power boost function
Prefer the Rx Antenna designs


TSLRS
No legal frequency
Running an external battery compromises its failsafe capability
designer has not adapted the system for the benefit of FPV'ers but its become more geared towards a Commercial system
No OSD/TRackers etc
Rx Antenna uses a ground plane making it awkward for Multirotor use. RX uses push in connecters that allow the Antenna to twist
RSSI is iffy
Stuck with TX's BNC Antenna.
Min output is high at 500Mw but has 1W & 2 W boost
V6 versions Looks awesome



 
   

   
Title: Re: Which UHF...?
Post by: wgt40w on March 12, 2013, 09:48:02 AM
Couldn't have put it better myself !
Title: Re: Which UHF...?
Post by: Dizzy on May 21, 2013, 01:11:30 PM
 quote from iceman regarding thomas gear
output is high at 500Mw but has 1W & 2 W boost

V6 versions (Looks awesome)

IT IS lol  :D

dizzy ;)
Title: Re: Which UHF...?
Post by: dogzilla on May 21, 2013, 01:37:11 PM
EzUHF is not the best UHF system for the simple fact that flying in London it would failsafe within LOS range. I even had a brand new system sent from Immersion and it failed to perform. I'm not the only one either, so it's not a plane setup issue.

Now use Dragon Link V2, and it's flawless to very extreme ranges on the same plane and same locations.

This is a issue with EzUHF not performing. They have released a new firmware just recently supposed to improve performance in RF busy areas, but I haven't had a chance to test it yet.

And why would you need a UHF system with a UK legal frequency? I assume since you are so worried about staying within the guidelines that you stay within LOS anyway, in which case a standard 2.4 system is more than enough for UK legal flying, especially as you will be doing so with a 25mw VTX..... :)
Title: Re: Which UHF...?
Post by: marcin on May 21, 2013, 01:39:46 PM
Just go for Thomas Paul linked here..second post !!
BEST CHOICE !!
Title: Re: Which UHF...?
Post by: DaveyLC on May 21, 2013, 01:42:48 PM
Quote from: dogzilla on May 21, 2013, 01:37:11 PM
EzUHF is not the best UHF system for the simple fact that flying in London it would failsafe within LOS range. I even had a brand new system sent from Immersion and it failed to perform. I'm not the only one either, so it's not a plane setup issue.

Now use Dragon Link V2, and it's flawless to very extreme ranges on the same plane and same locations.

This is a issue with EzUHF not performing. They have released a new firmware just recently supposed to improve performance in RF busy areas, but I haven't had a chance to test it yet.

And why would you need a UHF system with a UK legal frequency? I assume since you are so worried about staying within the guidelines that you stay within LOS anyway, in which case a standard 2.4 system is more than enough for UK legal flying, especially as you will be doing so with a 25mw VTX..... :)

See I had the exactly opposite problem :)

I started out with DragonLink and it was a Lemon for me.. Now I'm using EZ and I've had many, many, many glitch free flights..

Infact the only issue I've had has been the signal swamping problem since the last firmware update..

Title: Re: Which UHF...?
Post by: dogzilla on May 21, 2013, 02:47:58 PM
What version dragon link? I have the V2 one which I got earlier this year.

It's a shame that there is so much variance in control as we have two completely set of results.
Title: Re: Which UHF...?
Post by: DaveyLC on May 21, 2013, 03:24:13 PM
I had an early one :)