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Hey guys, I'm hopefully going to have the time to do a video on this topic this weekend with actual results, but I wanted to go ahead and get this out there.
With all this talk of these long range flights, I'm sure it sets your expectations pretty high for long range when doing these Antenna mods. What you usually don't see though is these long range flights are done in fair / optimum conditions. These guys are not flying in wooded areas, behind houses or buildings, and are fairly clear of any radio interference. Physical objects especially limit your range and no antenna on the market will help like you want it to. I have a customer who was only getting about 1500' stock, and with my Evo Kit, he was able to get about 4000'. Now he was happy to get that increase because it's 2.6 times what he was getting, But that's the limit on his range where he flies. I also have customers with the same kit who have gone out 10 miles.
Here are a few tips to follow to get the best out of your antenna mod.
I am not an expert by any means, this is just stuff that I've gathered since getting into this hobby, so if you have some input or other tips that will help the community, please share!
For the video, I'll show my flight results when flying behind houses, over wooded areas, and then a clear path. That way you can get a better idea on what to expect for range.
With all this talk of these long range flights, I'm sure it sets your expectations pretty high for long range when doing these Antenna mods. What you usually don't see though is these long range flights are done in fair / optimum conditions. These guys are not flying in wooded areas, behind houses or buildings, and are fairly clear of any radio interference. Physical objects especially limit your range and no antenna on the market will help like you want it to. I have a customer who was only getting about 1500' stock, and with my Evo Kit, he was able to get about 4000'. Now he was happy to get that increase because it's 2.6 times what he was getting, But that's the limit on his range where he flies. I also have customers with the same kit who have gone out 10 miles.
Here are a few tips to follow to get the best out of your antenna mod.
- First of all, N-E-V-E-R turn your remote on without an antenna or amplifiers hooked up. Doing so risks irreversible damage to the radio. The antenna works as a resistor and converts the output energy into transmitted RF energy. Without the antenna, the energy has nowhere to go but to be converted to heat. Heat is bad which causes components to literally fry.
- If you were to have a string from your transmitter to your drone, would that string touch anything? If the answer is yes, you're range will be limited. The more of an open area, the better
- For the ItElite antenna at least, unless the aircraft is directly above you, you want to be pointing the antenna parallel to the ground, not pointed up at the aircraft, and in the general direction of the aircraft.
- The further out you go, the more directional it gets. Now you don't have to have pinpoint accuracy, but as close as you can.
- Just about every house has wifi these days, flying over them will cause interference
- Stay away from cell phone towers. In fact, stay away from all towers just to be safe.
- Get away from home, go out and see the countryside!
I am not an expert by any means, this is just stuff that I've gathered since getting into this hobby, so if you have some input or other tips that will help the community, please share!
For the video, I'll show my flight results when flying behind houses, over wooded areas, and then a clear path. That way you can get a better idea on what to expect for range.
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