Vtx Frequency

[Kellybob]

Well I have a SkyHunter on order to build this winter and want to try something other than 5.8 Vtx. Something that will go much further and may be more "solid". Any suggestions please. I do need to fly amongst 2.4 band fliers so I don't want to shoot any one down. I use 433 UHF and I suppose it should be legal in UK. Thanks.

[BigT]

To stay UK legal You have the obvious choices for UHF RC control. Any system that will give you 459 MHz at 100 mw, I use the Rlink system which is now manufactured and marketed by MFD, very easy to set up and use as it uses any version windows Notepad, channel hopping and ultra reliable and has cheap rx. Then you have the Immersion 469 MHz system with modular tx for the Taranis/JR type tx.
To stay UK legal for video transmission you are restricted to 5.8 MHz and 25mw,
However, as you are already using the U.K. illegal 433 MHz system you may as well look at the various 1.2-3 systems available. In for a penny etc.

For further info on UK legal wavebands check out page 69 of the 2017 BMFA handbook where they give all of the U.K. legal wavebands

[Ratty]

How far is far? As you can get 10km on 5.8 fairly easy.

Like Big T said your only legal options are 2.4 at 10mw and 5.8 at 25mw, neither of which are realistic for further 1km or so.

[BigT]

10 k easily? In my experience only if you can maintain LOS which will mean going higher the further out the model is and your immediate surroundings, trees, buildings etc. and possibly with a tracker. With some of these cheaper vtx the channels are not spot on. Using my LaForge scanner to check 5800 for example, most are off by about 4 points either side.


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[Ratty]

Yup, been done plenty of times.

You are correct tho, you need direct LOS and decent directional antenna on your ground station.

[English Turbines]

Well I have a SkyHunter on order to build this winter and want to try something other than 5.8 Vtx. Something that will go much further and may be more "solid". Any suggestions please. I do need to fly amongst 2.4 band fliers so I don't want to shoot any one down. I use 433 UHF and I suppose it should be legal in UK. Thanks.

Hi m8,

  I use 1280mhz video and just 200mw, it gives me plenty of range without too much effort, no expensive tracker, just a tuned Patch on my receiver.
   It's far less picky than 5.8G in terms of operating conditions. 5.8G Video and the maximum legal limit of 25mw is not going to get you very far at all, a waste of time in fact.
  If you are using EZUHF, you could load the UK legal 459mhz Firmware and with half decent antennas enjoy some decent range. Combine that with a 600mw 5.8G vtx and a pair of directional antennas on your video receivers and off you go.
  Not strictly legal in terms of VTX power, but at least you are using UK legal frequencies.

                                                                                                :vulture:
   
 

[JubFPV]

Does anyone knwo where to direct me in the CAA ANO sections that specify the legal frequency bands/channels and power levels for RC models in UK? Thanks

[FPVSteve]

It's not the CAA who regulate frequencies and bands, it's Ofcom.

https://www.ofcom.org.uk/about-ofcom/latest/features-and-news/drones-advice