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

Ivan R April 25, 2015 at 12:44pm

wow, i just installed mine RFD900 set on my 650 quad and these things are amazing...well over 2km with lot of tree obstructions on the way...am very pleased..
Developer

Jani Hirvinen April 21, 2015 at 6:27am

For those who have not seen it yet. jDrones RFD900 set is even better now.

No more FTDI cable, new RFD900Plus set have all interior re-make. Mini-USB connector on Ground modem and DF13 on Air modem. Set includes cables for both APM and Pixhawk autopilots.

Air modem have 2dbi monopole antennas and Ground modem 3dbi dipole that can be bent. For Air you can get 90 degree SMA connector to make antenna to point different direction.

Store link: jD-RFD900Plus set

Here is always so energic Trent's from MyGeekShow and his Episode 148, test and comparison for 3DR Telemetry vs. jD-RFD900 set:

Regards,

Jani / jDrones

jD-RF900Plus Longrange

Long range telemetry set for all your UAV and UAS needs
- Hans Miller > Jani Hirvinen April 21, 2015 at 1:36pm
  
  Hi Jani,
  
  Are these new features oem, or are they jdrones modifications?
  - Ikaros > Hans Miller April 23, 2015 at 4:55am
    
    Hi!
    
    I wrote to jDrones and asked them if these are legal to use in Europe and got a positive reply. So I am also interested in the difference between these and the rfd900+ from rfdesign?
    
    Regards
Henri April 20, 2015 at 2:37pm

That is the only modem we use. 900 MHz range as 433 is used, here, by many heavy machinery such as cranes forklifts etc..

The rfdesign one has never failed us. We do have now a number of them! It is really flexible and you can tune many parameters including launched power. Up to 1 watt output is really great. Their software is "tiptop"!

We use the RFD900a on all our flying platforms. Worked a treat with APM but works equally well with Pixhawk.

The true diversity antennas let us place each one on different areas of our various platforms (Quad hex X8 planes).

In short try it you will love it.. Documentation is real good too. Highly recommended.
- Karthik > Henri July 13, 2015 at 9:45pm
  
  Hello Henri,
  
  I am looking to use RFD900 on my medium fixed wing platform 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.
  
  Thanks in advance!!!
Ravi April 19, 2015 at 7:43am

I just now bought a RDF900+. when I write the mission and then read the mission the last command vanishes from the mission planner. this does not happens when I use other modems. I would like to use a previous version of firmware. can someone pls suggest which previous version I can use for RDF900+.
Ivan R April 14, 2015 at 9:52am

hi...i am looking into this radio for added range....but do I need two of them, for ground and quad? or just one for TX on the quad with a regular 3DR on the ground?
- Richard Kennedy > Ivan R April 14, 2015 at 3:58pm
  
  Here's another good one http://www.droneshop.biz/900mhz-3dr-radio-telemetry-v-antenna.html
  - Joe Street > Richard Kennedy April 15, 2015 at 5:29am
    
    Here is a handy tool for figuring out your link budget:
    
    http://www.pasternack.com/t-calculator-link-budget.aspx
    
    Also you can easily make your own antennas like the V antenna in Richard Kennedy's second post.
    
    It isn't hard to make really good high gain antennas either like these:
    
    http://www.wa5vjb.com/pcb-pdfs/Yagi900.pdf
    
    Here is a good tutorial on making PCB antennas
    
    http://colinkarpfinger.com/blog/2010/the-dropouts-guide-to-antenna-...
    
    You can also quickly and easily make a bi-quad feed for a dish and use a surplus satelite TV dish to get outstanding links with low power radios. I have done this for Wifi links,but the idea is easily scalable to 900MHz:
    
    http://trevormarshall.com/biquad.htm
    
    http://www.pasternack.com/t-calculator-link-budget.aspx

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