Have DBS antenna need amp recomendations
- Thread starter TK P3A
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The flat brackets are from an FPV monitor kit on amazon http://www.amazon.com/Chinatera-Fol...id=1459977958&sr=8-22&keywords=rc+fpv+bracket
The long posts at the bottom are from old RC car parts. Basically just 3mm screw stand off posts.
OK, cool. Hardware is key sometimes. I have a healthy supply of junk in my garage but those standoffs are a nice touch. I may do something similar and just use long screws through plastic or metal tubing.
Stop by your local hobby store... they should carry some of these and the screws to go with it.
I will probably just duct tape them and a battery for testing purposes, then screw them to a bracket later. I went ahead and ordered some white plastic but since the amps are black I may use black plastic for the bracket.
I have a DBS Dual Antenna for sale, never used. $90 takes it, plus shipping. [email protected]
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Thanks Jon. That's it. I just dropped it to 90
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OK, I put the amps on last night and did a test flight this morning with mixed results. Just for testing I simply tie-strapped the amps onto the remote bracket I made recently. I also opted to not use a battery but used the supplied AC adapters. This was because I am not sure what bracket I will make, what battery size is needed for long time use and I mainly wanted to eliminate the new variable of a possible battery failure. So the two adapters were plugged in and taped to an extension cord that was in my pocket and I stood in my driveway. I have a "challenge run" that I use when testing anything. It is a casino boat that is exactly 2.01 miles from my driveway. I got 1/3 of the way there stock. I got just there with windsurfers alone. I got just there, maybe a 100" further but even more directional with the flat panel Alfa Antennas and I just got about 250 past that but was breaking up bad and then completely lost signal at 13,450' out ....... for a LONG time. Of course the Phantom did the RTH thing but I didn't get any usable signal back until it was most of the way back home. That was scary but I didn't panic and try to swap antennas back, reboot the controller or anything rash. I just stood there holding my breath for what seemed like forever.... about 3-4 minutes until it got signal again.
1) I was NOT using a directional antenna like the windsurfers, my flat panel Alfa's, the FPVLR, DBS MODS ones etc. I was using the cheap Omni-directional ones that came free with the amps as my baseline.
2) Control was way more reliable than video as expected. Control was full bars or 1 bar from full when I reached the limits and video dropped into red bars and crapped out. Video could really use a boost because it seems like if you really "lose" one you have lost them both and when lost the signal does not reconnect until it is real strong again.
3) Directional antennas should get a lot further but that will be a test for later today if I have time. If not maybe tomorrow. The amps did have me rock solid at most of the trip but maybe there is interference but I always die hard right near or after the 2 mile mark with any "boosters". I need to test somewhere with less interference for a true baseline. My path takes me through 100's of 2 story houses, two 50-80' tall churches, over main power lines that are about 100' high right in my line of sight, etc.
1) I was NOT using a directional antenna like the windsurfers, my flat panel Alfa's, the FPVLR, DBS MODS ones etc. I was using the cheap Omni-directional ones that came free with the amps as my baseline.
2) Control was way more reliable than video as expected. Control was full bars or 1 bar from full when I reached the limits and video dropped into red bars and crapped out. Video could really use a boost because it seems like if you really "lose" one you have lost them both and when lost the signal does not reconnect until it is real strong again.
3) Directional antennas should get a lot further but that will be a test for later today if I have time. If not maybe tomorrow. The amps did have me rock solid at most of the trip but maybe there is interference but I always die hard right near or after the 2 mile mark with any "boosters". I need to test somewhere with less interference for a true baseline. My path takes me through 100's of 2 story houses, two 50-80' tall churches, over main power lines that are about 100' high right in my line of sight, etc.
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Honestly I wouldn't use the antennas that came with the amps. I would use a DBS or something that will take advantage of the added power. The antennas that do not focus the signal in a direction with seriously lower your range. I'm honestly impressed you made it as far as you did with them.
I agree that better antennas will yield bar better results. As a former electronic tech I try to induce as few variables as possible at one time. I will definitely end up using different antennas. But the truth is my ultimate goal is something Omni directional so I don't have to worried about how the remote is pointed. I plan to probably use omnidirectional antennas and then slide windsurfers on to them when I want to go far in 1 diirection. In a perfect world omnidirectional 10 mile range would be awesome.
PS anyone has to admit that 2.5 miles on Omni directional antennas is pretty good. I am betting that even stock antennas with windsurfers and amps would go 4 miles.
There were a few radio nerds on here saying the amps made the radio signal equivalent to a 40watt microwave oven. I don't know anything about it, but if it is true, I am glad I have a directional antenna pointed away from me. Does this concern you with your omni antenna?
The guys who think that an off-the-shelf Wi-Fi booster amplifying very weak signals can be equivalent to being exposed to 40 watts of microwave radiation are dreaming. My amps are four watts each. But as the way all electronics are rated, that is probably under perfect conditions with the highest driven signal they can take before burning up the input. These amps are meant to be used 24/7 in your house hooked up to your Wi-Fi router. If they were dangerous at all the FCC would ban them.
I bought my booster set up from MaxxUAV. Excellent workmanships and their customer service is top notch.. A little over $249.00 for the nice mount/ power bank (13400 mah) and two 3W sunhans amplifier (booster) and all cables you need. check their site www.maxxuav.com
That looks like a nice setup. When I get time to make a new bracket I am putting my homebuilt one together soon. I plan for it to be able to fit in the backpack with just unscrewing the antennas.
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