Maxstream Modules

[joelhaasnoot]

Hey, someone already mentioned the Maxstream modules in the forum. I was wondering what experiences where. They look good, and are pretty cheap (~$40). Someone said "You love 'em or you hate them". Can they be annoying? Interested in peoples' experiences

[Hovertime]

What are they?

[radiohound]

they are data transceivers. Here is the $120 model:


Maxstream 9xtend (http://www.maxstream.net/products/xtend/module/9xtend-datasheet.pdf)

[joelhaasnoot]

$120??????

Ahhh, The 2.4Ghz modules are like $40, maybe that's only for that version. Or is it an evaluation or development board. I talked with a saleguy and he said $40...

[radiohound]

The 9xStream and the 2.4 gig version have good transmission distances and they are a bit cheaper. (note that the 9xcite model is only good for 1000ft line of sight). The 9xtend version has about 5x the throughput of both of these and gives 1 watt rather than 100 or 150mw. The 9xtend with development board was $199 when I called (listed on website as $499 for two). I think I paid about $120 or $130 for each 9xtend 1 watt module. This is different from the similar sounding 9xstream.

Here's an exerpt from their website, though they often have better deals when you call them.

"You can purchase 9TXStream transmitter modules as low as $39 each (1000 qty.), and our new 9XCite™ 900 MHz low cost wireless OEM module can be purchased below $39 each (1000 qty.) "

I am surprised they gave you a price that they have listed as a qty 1000 for a low quantity order.

[tve]

I have not tried the 9extend modules yet, but the 9xstream aren't very good.
The best modules are made by Microhard and Freewave, but they are very expensive.

http://www.aerocomm.com/
check these out too. They are about $70 each with very good specs. When I'm ready for longer-range telemetry, I will probably use these.

[danstrider]

I've used the Aerocomm modems in another UAV and I've been pleased with them. We set up the stuff and never had to crack open the box again. Range is beyond eyesight, which is usually all that matters anyhow (then again, we are using a 23.5dbi grid antenna.... hehe)

Dan

[Tom in Cincy]

I purchased their evaluation kit with 2) 900 mhz Xtream modules and the uart board. The hookup was total plug and play. Right now I have one hooked up to a Garmin GPS and a RCAP control board the other is the downlink for the laptop running visual GPS. Works very well.
Tom

[danstrider]

Tom, what's "visual GPS"? I'm looking for a real-time 3-d gps graphing program, but so far I've only come up with Skyplotter (which isn't real-time). *fingers crossed this is what I'm looking for!*

Dan

[Tom in Cincy]

Sorry Dan, Its more like an instrument cluster..

http://www.visualgps.net/VisualGPSXP/default.htm

Tom

[kd7ost]

Hey Tom,

I'd like to hear about the results. Did you have to set up the boards? I immagine there is a configuration table to work with to set up baud rates, etc?

Dan

[Tom in Cincy]

Sorry for the delayed response Dan. All I have done to the Maxstream boards was to set the baud rates at 4800 and that was to make them compatable with the gps. No other programming of the modules was required. There is a very simple program provided that sets the baud rate and runs a loop-back test that can be used to check range. I hope to fly the module some more this week. So far so good. This has been the easy part....
Tom

[Crazyrcer]

So, help me out here. You plug somthing into the unit and it sends the data to another unit? So, hypothetically (SP?) speaking, if you conneted a camera to the USB port on one unit and had another unit connected to a conpumter, you could see the pictures from the camera on the computer?

[danstrider]

Speaking hypothetically, a wireless unit is just like having a wire between the two. If you can run a serial (RS232, not USB) cable, then you can replace the cable with the modems.

Theoretically.

There are a couple more settings to make sure things talk at the same rate and master/slave issues in relation to USB, but the idea is to be transparent to the other electronics.

Dan E.