How do i increase the range of my Tx????

[iflytrikes]

I want to fly beyond visual ...so i put a telcam witha range of about 2k .... but how do i increase my Tx range ??? ...u know i want to make it an RPV.
Been working on a uav project ...see my blog.
Cheers
Neville

[Medve]

Neville,
look into a beam antenna, yagi, or helical, at the freaquency you are transmitting on. This will focus your energy mostly in one direction. Next, get your antenna up as high as you can, and third, if these are not enough, then add an amplifier. If you are not familiar with this type of equipment, you'd be best to see out assistance from the HAM radio operators in your area.

[AnthonyRC]

If the downlink range is only 2k(m?) then a standard Tx and decent Rx should do fine, no need to increase range.

I've used Hitec electron 6 receivers out to 3km+

[senosy]

If it interferes other radio devices, It will cause serious problems.
And so you have to get the license.


Neville,
look into a beam antenna, yagi, or helical, at the freaquency you are transmitting on. This will focus your energy mostly in one direction. Next, get your antenna up as high as you can, and third, if these are not enough, then add an amplifier. If you are not familiar with this type of equipment, you'd be best to see out assistance from the HAM radio operators in your area.

[treehog]

Lots of varables like 35mghz versus 72mghz city splatter etc

Range of RC will be better outside away from big towns large electric transmission cables and if your on top of a hill and you use 72mhz and a good quality transmiter and reciever preferably fail safe with engine off rudder turn option programmed in or similar and highest voltages in batterries possible
good esc with low noise ratio and brushless with low noise

ranges of 5km verticaly overhead have been achieved but 2 to 3 is the nomal maximum and expect range close to ground to be miserable possibly in the 200 metre range if your only 50 feet up

Also some countries have max height limits for models for ATC typicaly 500 feet and less if closer than 20 miles to international airport there may be a no fly zoning there

Glow motors tend not to cause noise issues for electronics but petrol with spark plugs are often a problem for extended range

Also optioons like increasing size of reciever antenna can sometimes help and increase range beyond 5kms for overhead vertical flying and forums such a thermal gliders tend to know this best as thier 7 metre gliders can get 5km to 7km distances in real pumper thermals

What type of plane and motor and gear you have

The 2.4ghz vision system may stop working at 1km without boosters and the boosters can interfer with the RC reciever

Ralf

[JettPilot]

I routinely get ranges of 5 KM from my standard RC setup on 50 MHZ, and not vertical, HORIZONTAL 5 KM. I do get dropouts at that range, so a good failsafe setup is mandatory.... I made my RX antenna longer, they are all cut from the factory for 72 mHZ, even of the 50 MHZ receivers :mad: Adding the correct amount for 1/2 wave fixes that right up !

[Medve]

Hey Jett Pilot,
have you tried adding a second wire to the RX to complete the other half of the dipole?
This has been shown to have a measure of success in Ham Radio handy talkies.
The correct wavelength wire was clipped to the rubber ducky base, and just hung down.
I believe they were being sold as the "tiger tail".

[dalbert02]

I have added a counterpoise to my Rx with good results. Using RC-CAM's Inspire OSD GPS, I can take the RSSI out of my Rx and see the signal strength the Rx is getting. The antenna and counterpoise have both been lengthened (as per a suggestion by Jett) and I have experimented with using larger Tx antennas (also a suggestion by Jett) and I've used a counterpoise on my Tx. In my experience, modifying the Rx has more of an effect then Tx mods. However, one must be carefull not to overload the Rx as can happen when the video Tx is in close proximity to the R/C Rx. Regardless of how you tackle the problem, I think it is very important to be able to measure your results, otherwise you are just guessing.
-dave