DIY Antenna Booster for Phantom 3

focusowner · Jul 28, 2015

Red bull cans give you wings

bobmyers · Jul 28, 2015

focusowner said:
Soda cans View attachment 26045 View attachment 26044

Cool-- Irish ingenuity

NoOne · Jul 28, 2015

snerd said:
Quick and dirty............................

Can you angle the antennas forward and backward with this?

PVFlyer · Jul 28, 2015

I updated the OP to further explain a bit about the importance of parabolic curve and focal point.

snerd · Jul 29, 2015

NoOne said:
Can you angle the antennas forward and backward with this?

No, it's locked into a slight upwards position the way I hold the controller.

snerd · Jul 29, 2015

suck it up said:
I did not see it on the web site? Is it not for sale anymore?

I believe he only lists them as he makes a batch. He's behind on account of moving.

klimon · Jul 29, 2015

Oso said:
Perhaps cheaper, but also not exactly what I would like. Two important features for me would be easy sliding on and off, plus having the antennas correctly positioned within the device to allow for max signal extension. I certainly appreciate the work that Dave has done, plus his near real time interaction with the forum, but I don't think that his design covers those two features I want.

You completely ignore one important thing, "IT WORKS"! It easily boosted my distance and reception by at least 30% which is awesome considering it required no changes to the RC. You do not need too tweak the antenna position anywhere near as you describe. A millimeter here or there is not going to get you much better connections. Besides you always have the option of simply pointing the entire RC if you are so inclined to think such positioning really makes a difference. If your P3 loses connections due to such minor adjustments you really need to think about boosting the power using an FPVLR kit shown here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1577806512440602/

Dome · Jul 29, 2015

klimon said:
You completely ignore one important thing, "IT WORKS"! It easily boosted my distance and reception by at least 30% which is awesome considering it required no changes to the RC. You do not need too tweak the antenna position anywhere near as you describe. A millimeter here or there is not going to get you much better connections. Besides you always have the option of simply pointing the entire RC if you are so inclined to think such positioning really makes a difference. If your P3 loses connections due to such minor adjustments you really need to think about boosting the power using an FPVLR kit shown here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1577806512440602/

It doesn't work in this way !! Better distance doesn't mean a good aligned system !! If SWR of the antenna (shortly the power going back to PA chip due to standing waves) is too high the chip is going to fail very soon, due to NOT correct heat dissipation !!! Be careful!!

Willie Swyer · Jul 29, 2015

Would love to have one Dave. If you decide to ship to Canada let us know.

Oso · Jul 29, 2015

klimon said:
You completely ignore one important thing, "IT WORKS"! It easily boosted my distance and reception by at least 30% which is awesome considering it required no changes to the RC. You do not need too tweak the antenna position anywhere near as you describe. A millimeter here or there is not going to get you much better connections. Besides you always have the option of simply pointing the entire RC if you are so inclined to think such positioning really makes a difference. If your P3 loses connections due to such minor adjustments you really need to think about boosting the power using an FPVLR kit shown here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1577806512440602/

Hi klimon. Your reply suggests that you didn't read the rest of the thread. If you had, you would have seen that I said Dave's design is helpful. I never implied it didn't work or mention anything about antenna orientation in relation to the RC or the P3. I'm just looking for something simple, similar to Dave's, but that has the antenna correctly positioned within the device and also requires no hard "snap" to secure. In fact, I hadn't considered that Dave's design also stops a user from adjusting the orientation of the antenna, so for me that is also a concern. Again, that's not saying Dave's design doesn't work. I am just looking for other features before spending. Cheers!

PVFlyer · Jul 29, 2015

Oso said:
Hi klimon. Your reply suggests that you didn't read the rest of the thread. If you had, you would have seen that I said Dave's design is helpful. I never implied it didn't work or mention anything about antenna orientation in relation to the RC or the P3. I'm just looking for something simple, similar to Dave's, but that has the antenna correctly positioned within the device and also requires no hard "snap" to secure. In fact, I hadn't considered that Dave's design also stops a user from adjusting the orientation of the antenna, so for me that is also a concern. Again, that's not saying Dave's design doesn't work. I am just looking for other features before spending. Cheers!

I have listed 3 options (including Dave's one) so far in the OP for easy reference.

happydays · Jul 29, 2015

focusowner said:
Soda cans View attachment 26045 View attachment 26044

I recognise that Henry! Double Poster!!!

Oso · Jul 29, 2015

PVFlyer said:
I have listed 3 options (including Dave's one) so far in the OP for easy reference.

I did previously see your post with the links. I think that was nice for you to do. Thanks.

hidaven · Jul 29, 2015

Great mod.....Only downside is if your really out there you have lost site of your bird. If you get too far left or right you have no idea where to directionally point this weapon! Guess that's where the radar symbol in the app helps? I also have 2 leads that I put into my mouth to make myself into a human antenna due to the 80% composition of water to mass ratio.

hidaven · Jul 29, 2015

PS, are there better metals for conducting signal? I.e. copper, aluminum, titanium, liquid mercury, kryptonite etc?

Chris Vedeler · Jul 29, 2015

I just need to figure out how to mount this on my controller...
http://www.neweggbusiness.com/Produ...B-33-997-212&gclid=CLz_8NHSgMcCFRKUfgodBIsJ5Q

dedstik · Jul 29, 2015

Chris Vedeler said:
I just need to figure out how to mount this on my controller...
http://www.neweggbusiness.com/Produ...B-33-997-212&gclid=CLz_8NHSgMcCFRKUfgodBIsJ5Q

I like how you're thinking Chris. Since I already look like a dork with my HeadPlays on why not go all in and just mount this to my big head too. All my FPV buddies will want one when they see mine LOL !!!

:harry

flyNfrank · Jul 29, 2015

hidaven said:
PS, are there better metals for conducting signal? I.e. copper, aluminum, titanium, liquid mercury, kryptonite etc?

I too would like to know the answer on this. What about the copper tape like we used to increase GPS reception with the "P2V+"?

And is there anyone who actually has the ability to test the swr reading with the different setups?

hidaven · Jul 29, 2015

Anyone try copper tape? Also, do you think DJI purposely dumbed down the range with the latest software??

snerd · Jul 29, 2015

Dome said:
.......... If SWR of the antenna (shortly the power going back to PA chip due to standing waves) is too high the chip is going to fail very soon, due to NOT correct heat dissipation !!! Be careful!!

I don't think that's a worry at all, given that the output power of the RC is only like 120mW.