When is it time to switch to UHF?

[markvanhaze]

What distances are we looking at before I have to give up on 35MHz and go the UHF route?

Currently im on 202cm with my Corona and Futaba7 which has worked well for up to 2.5km although I think I can easily push it further since the area I live in is rather shielded from too much radio signals.

[tdmodels]

I upgraded to UHF when I could afford it, simply for peace of mind.  I don't fly out of sight from where my club is based. It's just nice to have a solid link without any glitching.

[BlueFlyer]

It all depends on what 35mhz gear you have.

I'm on 2.4ghz FrSky JR module on my turnigy 9x, good for 2km (tested, proven), but I wouldn't trust my 5.8 video gear to that distance

I moved to UHF the moment I could afford it, not only becuase it gives good RC range, but because it then allows you to use 2.4 video gear which itself has better range.

[Coyote]

Move when you want to really.

When you crave for greater distance, if you want to use 2.4ghz video or if you just want more reliability.

[dogzilla]

I moved to UHF under 1km because I wanted solid link and 35mhz was too twitchy for me, it was ruining my gopro footage even though it was perfectly flyable.

[6lennn]

When is it time to switch to UHF?

now!

or as soon as you have the cash, lol

[markvanhaze]

Ok, so what about this system?

http://www.rangevideo.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=62&zenid=76bf0fef609e85262b2d7c92f3b29021

[bignose13]

Thats 2.4 not UHF mate, bit different but frsky stuff is good and reliable

[markvanhaze]

Yes I saw that but my primary concern is getting a reliable and long distance link working so I thought that could do it too, especially on a budget. But since it is 2.4GHz I am guessing that wontplay nicely with my 2.4GHz video?

[6lennn]

and 2.4 for rc is not long range
if youre on a buget, and most if us are, then I would strongly advocate only spending the money once, ie dont buy something which you will ultimately be disappointed with later on
I really cant think of an alternative to the ezuhf, sry

best to try and figure out the glitching on 35, or live with it and dont fly close to the deck

[glambert]

Hello,

I consider 2.4 ghz to be safe within about 600 meters but there should not be obstacles between you and the aircraft.

In the following video, I turn around an 10 century abbey and both the Thomas Scherrer and the 900 MHz video downlink crossed these buildings made with old thick walls...  But distance was maybe only 100 meters.

https://vimeo.com/channels/multicopterpilot/36856866

Cheers

Gregory

[MarkLincs]

I'm running 2.4ghz Radio to 1.2 km no issues

depends on Radio system used

all I can say is this when the people came up with 2.4ghz they would of been looking to match 35mhz range after all if you have a big glider (5 meter span) 600m is pretty useless to be honest. You can easily be 1km out and 1km up and still searching for thermals.

So having the right Radio gear and receiver you'll get good range

unfortantly certain brands seem to crap out at 600/800m and this means people think all 2.4ghz radios do the same thing. They don't by any means some are FAR better than others.

So if you look back to 35mhz there were brands and receivers that shall we say were not so good, even main brands had the odd receiver you'd know to avoid. It is the same today just buy the right gear :)

[electricmick]

I have successfully used both Futaba and Hitech 2.4GHz RC on my early FPV ship out to almost 2km, the plane was not visible to the naked eye but there were no obstacles between Tx and Rx as I had good height, clearly not in the UK as I stick to FPVUK guidelines here. There were occasional glitches i.e. lost packets but still solid control. This was an experiment to find the limit of RC control but only over an uninhabited area and with a well proven video and fully working RTH. So for UK legal flying IMHO there is no need for UHF but just good quality 2.4 gear.

I have flown a large thermal glider LOS to over 1.2km but that is so dependent upon weather and sky conditions, the next day I was loosing sight of it at 600m. This was measured using a crude telemetry system. LOS is in the eye of the beholder but don't take your eye way from the plane for a second or its gone.