RFD900, RFD900+ - New long range radio modem - Discussions

Hi All,

I would like to introduce you to a new radio modem that we developed for very long range datalinks!

http://rfdesign.com.au/RFD900.php

Some of the key features of the RFD900 are as follows:

Multi point and point to point link capability.
Long range >40km depending on antennas and GCS setup.
2 x RP-SMA RF connectors, diversity switched.
1 Watt (+30dBm) transmit power.
Transmit low pass filter.
> 20dB Low noise amplifier.
RX SAW filter.
Passive front end band pass filter.
Open source firmware / tools, field upgradeable, easy to configure.
Small (30 x 57 x 13 mm), light weight (14.5g).
Compatible with 3DR / Hope-RF radio modules.
License free use in Australia, Canada, USA, NZ.

These modems are designed to support long range applications, while being easy to use and affordable.

These modems have been flying in various platforms and have demonstrated excellent performance in real applications.

RFD900 modems are now available at: http://store.rfdesign.com.au

Support within APM planner and the radio configurator from Michael Oborne is already available.

It works seamlessly with APM planner, all radio Mavlink parameters are available.

Update, December 2014: The RFD900+ with improved specifications is available now at:

http://store.rfdesign.com.au/rfd-900p-modem/

Seppo Saario

rfdesign.com.au

Hi!

I just received my RFD 868+ radios, they look really nice! However I have some problems connecting to them with AT commands and I hope someone can give me a hint to what to do.

I am using Ubuntu 14.04LTS with cutecom. I connect the FTDI cable to the radio and then to the computer. I check that it is ttyUSB0. In cutecom I then connect to the radio with baud rate 57600, data bits 8, stop bits 1 and no parity.

So in order to enter AT mode I send +++ and wait for 1 second. However I dont get any reply from the modem, but when I send commands from my computer I see the red LED on the module flickering.

If I also connect a second RFD868+ to my computer the leds gets green on both the moduels. If I then send commands to the first one, say enter enter I see that the red light on both the radios are flickering.

Thank you for any help in how to connect and configure the modules!

Best regards,

Carl

Replies

Ikaros August 5, 2015 at 2:24am

Hi!

I just received my RFD 868+ radios, they look really nice! However I have some problems connecting to them with AT commands and I hope someone can give me a hint to what to do.

I am using Ubuntu 14.04LTS with cutecom. I connect the FTDI cable to the radio and then to the computer. I check that it is ttyUSB0. In cutecom I then connect to the radio with baud rate 57600, data bits 8, stop bits 1 and no parity.

So in order to enter AT mode I send +++ and wait for 1 second. However I dont get any reply from the modem, but when I send commands from my computer I see the red LED on the module flickering.

If I also connect a second RFD868+ to my computer the leds gets green on both the moduels. If I then send commands to the first one, say enter enter I see that the red light on both the radios are flickering.

Thank you for any help in how to connect and configure the modules!

Best regards,

Carl
- This reply was deleted.
  - Ikaros August 5, 2015 at 3:59am
    
    Thank you very much for the rapid answer! My problem was the <enter>, I changed to "no line ending" in cutecom and now it works :)
saeed alamri July 27, 2015 at 2:10pm

I have one that i am using with apm2.6 and i have a broblom conecting to mission planer latest version .
Both units have a solid green light but every time its give me no hart pep and i dont know what to do.
Dusan July 27, 2015 at 9:18am

Did anybody tried mash firmware ? There was some talk it will be supported with new release, Is it stable and reliable ?

Idea is to have one on ground station for monitoring and control and have other one hooked up to phone or GPS/arduino as "follow me" ( better say "follow it" )
Karthik July 13, 2015 at 9:48pm

Hello all,

I am looking to use RFD900 on my medium fixed wing platform (15 kgs) which is tested in the field with successful short range missions. Now i want to use the long range modem to achieve a range of about 20 kms (LOS)...can u suggest whether the stock antennaes that come with RFD900 is sufficient enough or should i have a Yagi at the ground station with a Antennae Tracker??

Also some help regarding positioning of the antennae would be highly appreciated.

No support form RFD is surprising in spite of a great product.

Thanks in advance!!!
- Ivan R > Karthik July 15, 2015 at 6:53pm
  
  would definitely use a yagi on GC.....
jean-luc July 6, 2015 at 6:09am

Hi Seppo,

I receive my RFD868+ bundle.

But when i'm connecting the modem with RFDtools 1.5, i can't see and change the 868Mhz frequency, i have only the choice between the 902/928Mhz band.

Is there an hardware frequency band error with these modems or i need another software tool for configuration??

Regards,
siyamand moloudnejad June 20, 2015 at 11:26am

thinking if i can hook up my tx "which is running uhf433" to this data radio and get rid off uhf 433. is that actualy possible i have searched alot about it and still searching. feiyu-tech is selling remote adapter which can be connected to the rx and the fy-60X after a certain range controling plane over datalink. but not sure if its gonna work with RFD ? anyone?
Ivan R June 10, 2015 at 11:43am

all sudden my RFD900 range has been drastrically reduced to a few hundred meters and I cant figure out why? I tried resetting all parameters to default, reflashing the firmware, checking all connection and no luck....what would be some reasons for this?
- Raph > Ivan R June 10, 2015 at 11:47am
  
  HI Ivan,
  
  Many things can cause this, usually interference from other devices on your copter. Check for any new equipment you may have installed (BEC's, VTX's etc), and start unplugging them until you find a cause. Good luck!

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