1.2/1.3G range issues

[mtechmatt]

Hi everyone :)

I have the 800mW 1.2G setup from tecnic, and doing some premeptive testing before I maiden up a new FX61 I am building. (I'm scared of serious video issues and a big crash - yes I have APM etc but still - worried lol)

http://www.tecnic.co.uk/800mw-1.2-1.3GHz-9ch-FPV-Video-Transmitter.html

So far, range issues (or not?)

I have tested the TX with my RF power meter and am indeed getting 780mW so I am happy there...

Using antennas like these (though both of mine have 3 lobes - bought them from here but maybe they have messed up and sent be the wrong stuff as it looks like they should have 3 and 4 lobes?) http://www.tecnic.co.uk/1.2-1.3GHz-Skew-Planar-Clover-Antenna-Set-RHCP.html

I get appox 300yards on the ground, everything waist height, through trees etc

I tried line of sight from my house to Westbury White Horse and no signal at all, thats probably a mile or so... (again both RX and TX approx waist height. The antennas are a little beaten out of shape but nothing major...

Thoughts people?
Cheers

[BlueFlyer]

Try again this time with the stock antennas. Those skews have a lower gain. Skews are only useful for combating multipathing... which isn't an issue on 1.2/1.3 as much as it is on 5.8.

Best antennas to use for 1.2/3 would be a set of dragonlink dipoles.

[Schalonsus]

Those antennas dont look very good...

Maybe build yourself some (https://flitetest.com/articles/Cloverleaf_Antenna / https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meZRMNF-6tQ)
Or let you build some, i think here is an antenna builder in the forum.

And if this does not do the trick, get a decent receiver, like the RMRC https://www.readymaderc.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=11_34_44&products_id=912 or a Lawmate.

I fly the 800mW transmitter with homebuild cloverleafs and RMRC receiver in waist height over 1km ranges

[bignose13]

Seriously those antennas are the cheap Chinese rubbish and I'm surprised your getting as far as you have
Either get proper skews from me, Or other skew manufactures like vas or some dipole like I make, but seriously loose the crap you have at the minute, I'm surprised that store sells them
Cheers

[Coyote]

Remember also with those cheap antennas, if you have only got low range from then there is a good possibility there SWR is so far out its now damaged your Vtx as well.

[Schalonsus]

Dont think the vtx got harmed, had a TS321 hanging in a tree for over an hour with damaged antenna and it still has 750mW.
Those vtx are tougher than most think.

[mtechmatt]

Ok so did some more testing - as per someone above, I used the supplied whip antennas. Excellenbt results.

We got 0.7 miles and that was on the ground for both RX and TX - stil had perfect video but any further and the missus went beyond LOS (down a hill) and we lost link then. I am very happy with that tbh - the skew (or whatever their called) antennas are crap...

Also did a little bench test with the RF meter: Skew things, -35dB at 5 ft. Normal whops, -13dB at 5ft - needless to say, skews in the bin :)

New FX-61 arrives this week :)

My Control link is also now up for testing - I bought an ezUHF setup second hand (I know, bad idea) and the TX is putting out 15mW on max and 6mW on Low - I think whoever had it before ran it powered without an antenna - thats going in the bin and a new ezUHF TX will be here tuesday :)

Onwards and upwards guys, literally!

[Brucey]

Ok so did some more testing - as per someone above, I used the supplied whip antennas. Excellenbt results.

We got 0.7 miles and that was on the ground for both RX and TX - stil had perfect video but any further and the missus went beyond LOS (down a hill) and we lost link then. I am very happy with that tbh - the skew (or whatever their called) antennas are crap...

Also did a little bench test with the RF meter: Skew things, -35dB at 5 ft. Normal whops, -13dB at 5ft - needless to say, skews in the bin :)

New FX-61 arrives this week :)

My Control link is also now up for testing - I bought an ezUHF setup second hand (I know, bad idea) and the TX is putting out 15mW on max and 6mW on Low - I think whoever had it before ran it powered without an antenna - thats going in the bin and a new ezUHF TX will be here tuesday :)

Onwards and upwards guys, literally!

Don't put it in the bin, send it to the UK repair centre

[mtechmatt]

Don't put it in the bin, send it to the UK repair centre

Ah I'll have a google, thanks :) Want to go flying this week so will grab a new one, get this one repaired and certified and sell it on here/ebay etc...

Will be carrying out a range/power test of the RC setup on tuesday and reporting my findings :)

[SnoozeDoggyDog]

Just my 2 penny worth. I'm on 1.2/3 tx with a stock ducky and on the back end I've got a Yagi PCB. I've been out to 3.5 miles and bottled it

[mtechmatt]

Yes, going to try the rubber duckys on both, if I can get a good mile or so I;llk be happy - I dont really much further than LOS (initially) just want a good signal as im not a good enough flyer to switch back to LOS and fly it if the video drops - flying FPV is MUCH easier for me!

[Schalonsus]

A little tip: if you remove the rubber cover from the duckies they match the frequency much better
Or buy Dragonlink 1G3 dipoles, they are cheap and good.

[mtechmatt]

Indeed, been recommeened the dipoles from DL by someone else also - any UK suppliers for them do you know?

[Brucey]

Flytron make dipoles, uk based

[Captain Crash]

Hi everyone :)

I have the 800mW 1.2G setup from tecnic, and doing some premeptive testing before I maiden up a new FX61 I am building. (I'm scared of serious video issues and a big crash - yes I have APM etc but still - worried lol)

http://www.tecnic.co.uk/800mw-1.2-1.3GHz-9ch-FPV-Video-Transmitter.html

So far, range issues (or not?)

I have tested the TX with my RF power meter and am indeed getting 780mW so I am happy there...

Using antennas like these (though both of mine have 3 lobes - bought them from here but maybe they have messed up and sent be the wrong stuff as it looks like they should have 3 and 4 lobes?) http://www.tecnic.co.uk/1.2-1.3GHz-Skew-Planar-Clover-Antenna-Set-RHCP.html

I get appox 300yards on the ground, everything waist height, through trees etc

I tried line of sight from my house to Westbury White Horse and no signal at all, thats probably a mile or so... (again both RX and TX approx waist height. The antennas are a little beaten out of shape but nothing major...

Thoughts people?
Cheers

I use a dragon link dipole on the plane and a yagi on the ground station and it has a surprisingly good beam width...trouble with dragon link, they are excellent but they are linear so you really need a biquad or yagi on the groundstation and you lose quite a bit if you mix circular and linear.