Re: Current Thoughts On Best Parts for FPV Kit *From Scratch
ok first: so that you know I'm not just making this stuff up about how important antennas are, watch the first 5 minutes of this video about 5.8Ghz FPV. The really important bits about antenna are in the 2-5 min range... the rest of the video is more about weight conservation and fixed wing RC which doesn't really apply to us so I wouldn't bother watching the whole thing, but inside the first 5 he demonstrates why the stock antennas are such crap in a better visual way than I can describe.
now, to your question: after watching the video, you'll understand why the "stock" antennas (little black stick) that come with transmitters and receivers are crap. The expectation from those manufacturers is that you're going to be getting aftermarket antennas that apply best to you (type of device, range, budget, etc)... so to answer your question you're going to want upgraded antennas on both sides... the transmitter and the receiver.
Now that we've reached this point, you can go in many different directions, imo mainly based on your budget.. real quick let's make sure you understand the difference between directional or omnidirectional. google them to get a visual reference: "pinwheel" and "cloverleaf" are omnidirectional, "helix" are directional.
whether it's transmitting or receiving a directional antenna generally has longer range but has to be pointed directly at the other antenna. An omnidirectional antenna is generally shorter range but puts out (or receives from) a spherical shaped pattern which can be received in any direction. You'll notice I said "generally" in there twice, that's because the quality of the antenna you buy greatly affects it's performance. A $10 cheapass antenna is not going to perform the same as a $60 top quality one.
So therefore: you want a nice omnidirectional antenna on the transmitter on the Phantom... so that no matter what direction the Phantom is facing, you have a good chance of receiving the signal. On the receiving side (your display or goggles) this is where "diversity" comes in... if your receiver has 2 antenna ports, it will automatically use the signal from the stronger antenna. So folks like me with a decent budget will get both an omnidirectional and a longer range directional antenna for the receiver... hence the FPVLR bundle (1Tx 2Rx) I always recommend since it comes with all 3 (and they're top quality).
Alternately if something like $110 is simply out of your antenna budget there are plenty of 2-antenna bundles (1Tx 1 Rx) out there in the $40-$60 range that work just fine but you won't have a helix to fall back on if you exceed their range... and remember the range you get will change drastically depending on your environment. rural vs city is the most obvious example but there can be interference anywhere.. power lines, etc.
so like, sometimes I run just with the pinwheels and I don't even have to worry about what direction I'm facing or where the Phantom is in relation to me, I just watch the FPV. however, there are some times (like flying over Manhattan) that there's too much interference for the receiving pinwheel, so I swap to the helix... now I have to make sure I keep the antenna facing towards the Phantom because if I turn away the FPV goes poof!
does that help? I can ramble about this **** all day if you have more questions. Attached is a pic of the rear of my Phantom... ignore the bit about the RC antenna, the big black antenna is the FPVLR pinwheel on my transmitter which I have down between the legs as much as possible, but it IS longer than the legs so I have to put it at a bit of an angle. I've never had any issues with FPV signal with my transmitter antenna in this orientation
Paloose said:
ok first: so that you know I'm not just making this stuff up about how important antennas are, watch the first 5 minutes of this video about 5.8Ghz FPV. The really important bits about antenna are in the 2-5 min range... the rest of the video is more about weight conservation and fixed wing RC which doesn't really apply to us so I wouldn't bother watching the whole thing, but inside the first 5 he demonstrates why the stock antennas are such crap in a better visual way than I can describe.
now, to your question: after watching the video, you'll understand why the "stock" antennas (little black stick) that come with transmitters and receivers are crap. The expectation from those manufacturers is that you're going to be getting aftermarket antennas that apply best to you (type of device, range, budget, etc)... so to answer your question you're going to want upgraded antennas on both sides... the transmitter and the receiver.
Now that we've reached this point, you can go in many different directions, imo mainly based on your budget.. real quick let's make sure you understand the difference between directional or omnidirectional. google them to get a visual reference: "pinwheel" and "cloverleaf" are omnidirectional, "helix" are directional.
whether it's transmitting or receiving a directional antenna generally has longer range but has to be pointed directly at the other antenna. An omnidirectional antenna is generally shorter range but puts out (or receives from) a spherical shaped pattern which can be received in any direction. You'll notice I said "generally" in there twice, that's because the quality of the antenna you buy greatly affects it's performance. A $10 cheapass antenna is not going to perform the same as a $60 top quality one.
So therefore: you want a nice omnidirectional antenna on the transmitter on the Phantom... so that no matter what direction the Phantom is facing, you have a good chance of receiving the signal. On the receiving side (your display or goggles) this is where "diversity" comes in... if your receiver has 2 antenna ports, it will automatically use the signal from the stronger antenna. So folks like me with a decent budget will get both an omnidirectional and a longer range directional antenna for the receiver... hence the FPVLR bundle (1Tx 2Rx) I always recommend since it comes with all 3 (and they're top quality).
Alternately if something like $110 is simply out of your antenna budget there are plenty of 2-antenna bundles (1Tx 1 Rx) out there in the $40-$60 range that work just fine but you won't have a helix to fall back on if you exceed their range... and remember the range you get will change drastically depending on your environment. rural vs city is the most obvious example but there can be interference anywhere.. power lines, etc.
so like, sometimes I run just with the pinwheels and I don't even have to worry about what direction I'm facing or where the Phantom is in relation to me, I just watch the FPV. however, there are some times (like flying over Manhattan) that there's too much interference for the receiving pinwheel, so I swap to the helix... now I have to make sure I keep the antenna facing towards the Phantom because if I turn away the FPV goes poof!
does that help? I can ramble about this **** all day if you have more questions. Attached is a pic of the rear of my Phantom... ignore the bit about the RC antenna, the big black antenna is the FPVLR pinwheel on my transmitter which I have down between the legs as much as possible, but it IS longer than the legs so I have to put it at a bit of an angle. I've never had any issues with FPV signal with my transmitter antenna in this orientation
