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

Replies

Dick Ou January 29, 2015 at 9:38pm

I guess what you have is + (P), anyway you can use three different firmware for try, if wrong one used no harm at all, just try another, first one I want try is 'p' version
Vinh PHAM GIA January 29, 2015 at 7:26pm

Hi,
I have one set of RFD900. I was updating over the USB-TTL, but when the HOME message is displayed on the terminal, the radio just stucked in bootloader mode, and it happend to both of them. How ever I tried, they just stuck in that mode (Red LED on steady). The RFDTools-V1.5 just say "fail to enter command mode" after some trial. Can someone help me solve this problem? Thank you.
- Dick Ou > Vinh PHAM GIA January 29, 2015 at 8:09pm
  
  what model do you have a,u,+? if you choice wrong firmware, radio stuck in bootloader mode.
  
  if you have rdf900a or u the latest version is v1.9
  
  if you ahve rdf900+ the latest version is v1.1
  
  please refer rdfdesign.com.au/firmware
  
  The suffix, a,u,p signifies the version of firmware for the modem.
  
  RFD900+ = rfd900p firmware.
  - Vinh PHAM GIA > Dick Ou January 29, 2015 at 8:47pm
    
    Hi Dick Ou,
    
    how can I know if it is a,u or +? This is the one I have: http://store.jdrones.com/jD_RD900_Telemetry_Bindle_p/rf900set01.htm
    
    Thank you.
    
    jD-RF900 Longrange telemetry set
    
    Long range telemetry set for all your UAV and UAS needs
PQcopter January 22, 2015 at 1:18am

Hi Seppo , excellent work .

I want to ask you (as you told previously that average current draw depends on the duty cycle while data is being sent) , does the duty cycle affect bandwidth or performance of rdf900 other than current draw.
Richard Kennedy January 8, 2015 at 8:12am

Could anyone comment on this antenna set up? I wasn't sure about wrapping the front of the elevator like that or if it would have been better to simply lay it flat. Thanks
- Bill Isenberger > Richard Kennedy January 9, 2015 at 6:39am
  
  I wanted my RFD 900+ to be compatible with my 3DR radios, so I tried upgrading the firmware using Michael Oborne's 3DRRadio Config tool. When I did I received this exception:
  
  I was able to upgrade the modem with RFD900 Modem Tools Ver 1.5 and the included firmware RFD_SiK_V1.9_rfd900u.ihx. Now RFD900 Modem Tools list the firmware version RFD Sik 1.9 on RFD900U. The original firmware was listed as RFD Sik 1.11 on RFD900P. Is there a RFD Sik 1.9 firmware for the RFD900P? or is it OK to use the RFD_SiK_V1.9_rfd900u.ihx firmware on a RFD900P?
  - Seppo > Bill Isenberger January 9, 2015 at 9:39pm
    
    Hi Bill,
    
    I am chatting with Micheal Oborne and it should be included in the next builds of Mission Planner. The RFD modem tools will be able to upload the firmware listed from the link: http://rfdesign.com.au/firmware
    
    The default versions of RFD firmware and SiK firmware should be compatible with each other.
    
    The firmware to use on the 900p is: http://rfdesign.com.au/firmware/SiK%20V1.11%20radio~rfd900p.ihx
    
    I will update the 900a and 900u default firmwares to the latest soon as well.. The differences are minor between the latest updates.
    
    Cheers,
    
    Seppo
    - PY > Seppo January 22, 2015 at 2:11am
      
      Hello Seppo,
      
      Any update on a 868 MHz version for Europe users ??
      
      Thank you
      
      Pierre
    - Bill Isenberger > Seppo January 10, 2015 at 2:08pm
      
      Cool! thanks Seppo

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