1.2/1.3ghz fpv system

Disco Volante · Apr 17, 2014

Hello

I'm wondering if anyone here is using, or planning to use in the future an fpv system upgrade?

Since the FC40 uses 5.8ghz, and the most common fpv systems works also in 5.8ghz, i'm thinking about a 1.2ghz system.

As i am a novice quadcopter user i'm asking for advice, what kind of system shall i choose, does it have more range when compared to 5.8ghz, is this system more expensive than 5.8ghz?

I will not buy it in the next months, because there is no money (no money, no love! :geek: ) and i have already spent some money in a lipo balancer, some 9" prop guards and some 2200mAh lipos wich i'm nervously waiting to arrive.

So i would just like to have some directions, opinions, thoughts...thats if i'm not asking too much!

Thank you very much!

Regards

J.C. "Disco Volante" GonçAlves

Mandrake · Apr 17, 2014

I'm just about to make up and test a 2.4 Ghz wifi extender --
Like this one - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SS-YHz-J7Fs
That might solve most issues - according to him the range can go out to
1200 feet I I think that's what he claims )
Certainly worth a try before shelling out for a complete new system ..
Mandrake

Disco Volante · Apr 17, 2014

Thanks for your reply!

You are absolutely right, i'm not thinking in upgrading now or in a near future...

I am curious about the lag with the 1.2/1.3ghz, so i just asked to see if anyone with a 5.8ghz followed that path or is thinking about adopting such a system in the future.

Disco Volante · Apr 17, 2014

Sorry double posting...

the video is very instructional and interesting, it seems a cheap mod (not in the bad side) and for sure looks to be the next step in upgrading the range, how about the lag, will we get less or more lag?

CarbnBlade · Jun 23, 2014

I put together an FPV system for my FC40 using a 1258 MHz Pico Video transmitter and 900 MHz - 1.3 GHz receiver from Ready Made RC. I used their 5 volt regulator to power the transmitter from the 12 volt LIPO battery. For a monitor I purchased 4.3" LCD monitor for a car backup system on Amazon for only $18. This monitor fits in the cellphone holder on the FC40 controller and is comparable to my iPhone display. An extra FC40 LIPO battery can power the receiver and monitor. Total cost of the FPV system is $125. There is no lag in the video with this system so it's ideal for FPV flying. The transmitter is tiny and comes with an attached dipole antenna. The transmitter power is 30-50 mW. This is good for battery longevity, and the FPV distance seems to be a bit better than the FC40 wifi but more directional, so I'm going to replace the transmit and receive antennas with a Clover Leaf/Skew Planar pair that I purchased recently on eBay.

FC40
Walkera G-2D gimbal
GoPro Hero3
1.3 GHz FPV

cadre_78 · Jun 23, 2014

CarbnBlade said:
I put together an FPV system for my FC40 using a 1258 MHz Pico Video transmitter and 900 MHz - 1.3 GHz receiver from Ready Made RC. I used their 5 volt regulator to power the transmitter from the 12 volt LIPO battery. For a monitor I purchased 4.3" LCD monitor for a car backup system on Amazon for only $18. This monitor fits in the cellphone holder on the FC40 controller and is comparable to my iPhone display. An extra FC40 LIPO battery can power the receiver and monitor. Total cost of the FPV system is $125. There is no lag in the video with this system so it's ideal for FPV flying. The transmitter is tiny and comes with an attached dipole antenna. The transmitter power is 30-50 mW. This is good for battery longevity, and the FPV distance seems to be a bit better than the FC40 wifi but more directional, so I'm going to replace the transmit and receive antennas with a Clover Leaf/Skew Planar pair that I purchased recently on eBay.

FC40
Walkera G-2D gimbal
GoPro Hero3
1.3 GHz FPV

Mr. CarbnBlade

Could you post links to everything you just mentioned?

Thx!

CarbnBlade · Jun 23, 2014

Here are links to the equipment needed (in addition to a GoPro HERO3) to set up a 1258 MHz FPV system. Keep in mind that you need an Amateur Radio Technician Class license to operate legally on the 23 cm band (1240-1300 MHz).

1258 MHz Pico Video Transmitter ($40):
http://www.readymaderc.com/store/index. ... ts_id=1301

900 MHz-1.3 Ghz Receiver w/1258 Custom RMRC Version 3 ($50):
http://www.readymaderc.com/store/index. ... cts_id=912

Tiny 5V Regulator (TINY5V) ($6):
http://www.readymaderc.com/store/index. ... cts_id=373

GoPro HERO3 Camera Cable (Audio and Video) (HERO3AUDVIDCABLE) ($9):
http://www.readymaderc.com/store/index. ... ts_id=1295

4.3 Inch LCD TFT Rearview Monitor screen for Car Backup Camera ($14!):
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005CF ... UTF8&psc=1

dragonash · Jun 24, 2014

Mandrake said:
I'm just about to make up and test a 2.4 Ghz wifi extender --
Like this one - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SS-YHz-J7Fs
That might solve most issues - according to him the range can go out to
1200 feet I I think that's what he claims )
Certainly worth a try before shelling out for a complete new system ..
Mandrake

invest in this one
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... -_-text-_-

It works with the FC40 and can be placed in the phone clip of the controller. (just buy another clip!)
It can also be upgraded to fit a directional antenna
http://www.minipwner.com/index.php/foru ... ntenna-mod

Mpower60195 · Jun 30, 2014

CarbnBlade said:
Here are links to the equipment needed (in addition to a GoPro HERO3) to set up a 1258 MHz FPV system. Keep in mind that you need an Amateur Radio Technician Class license to operate legally on the 23 cm band (1240-1300 MHz).

1258 MHz Pico Video Transmitter ($40):
http://www.readymaderc.com/store/index. ... ts_id=1301

900 MHz-1.3 Ghz Receiver w/1258 Custom RMRC Version 3 ($50):
http://www.readymaderc.com/store/index. ... cts_id=912

Tiny 5V Regulator (TINY5V) ($6):
http://www.readymaderc.com/store/index. ... cts_id=373

GoPro HERO3 Camera Cable (Audio and Video) (HERO3AUDVIDCABLE) ($9):
http://www.readymaderc.com/store/index. ... ts_id=1295

4.3 Inch LCD TFT Rearview Monitor screen for Car Backup Camera ($14!):
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005CF ... UTF8&psc=1

I'm very intrested in your setup.Can you tell me if there was any soldering and a quick installing guide on how to get it ready please?
BTW what kind of rang are you getting?

Thanks

CarbnBlade · Sep 7, 2014

Yes, soldering is involved. If you're not comfortable with soldering don't use this approach!

Since my original posts I encountered and resolved an issue. I believe that the FPV video transmitter antenna was overloading the input to the 5.8 GHz receiver, causing premature return to home behavior. I removed one of the 2 stock 5.8 GHz antennas from my FC40 (nearest the FPV antenna) and installed an SMA connector for an external 5.8 GHz antenna on the battery cover. I mounted a 5.8 GHz clover leaf antenna on this SMA. I also replaced the controller antenna with an SMA and mounted a matching clover leaf antenna here as well. It is important to have the same circular polarization at both ends with both antennas in the same orientation. I'm using the provided FPV transmitter dipole antenna in the landing gear (where the stock 5.8 GHz antenna was) and a 1.3 GHz yagi antenna from ReadyMadeRC with my FPV video receiver. The yagi is mounted on a tripod along with the receiver, a DVR and battery.

I recently installed an iOSD mini and PMU in my FC40 to measure the distance of my flights. Yesterday was my first test of the full system and I was able to fly 300 m away without triggering the return to home and I also had solid FPV video. The range was artificially limited by my geo-fence settings. For my next test flight I will open up the geo-fence limits to see which system fails first (control or FPV).

FC40
iOSD mini, PMU
Walkera G-2D gimbal
GoPro Hero3
1.3 GHz FPV