Posted by Jordi Muñoz on December 2, 2009 at 2:00pm
I love my Spektrum Dx7 and my 2.4Ghz JR XPS9303 and i refused to trade its solid rock performance by a 72mhz radio just to increase range of my FPV/UAV. So in collaboration with my friend JB we find out the cheapest and secure way to amplify the signal, it even works in some Futabas and virtually with any 2.4Ghz radio, but some modifications are required. Lets see some options:-Spektrum Dx7 this is the cheapest solution for a very reliable 2.4Ghz radio, i used it for about a year and i never had any signal glitch (unless i fly beyond 2000 feet). The problem with this one is that you have to modify it, you need a SMD to U.FL adapter, drill a hole in the side of your radio and just connect and screw the adapter, no soldering required. If you have more than 5 hours of experience with Legos your qualified to do this job. Then you just need to connect the booster. The one in the picture (middle) is already modified.-If you have the awesome JR radio but is 72Mhz you can buy the Spektrum 2.4Ghz module and just insert it in the back of your TX, personally this is my favorite setup. It's a good deal because includes a $99 dlls receiver for free! Note that JR TX alone cost around $600 dlls, but you can get it for less, i got mine for 300 bucks with Spektrum Module included on R/C Groups =P. Remember you are looking for the JR XPS9303.If you have one of the fallowing Futaba radios:7U Series Radios8U Series Radios8J Series Radios9C Series Radios9Z Series RadiosFN Series RadiosYou can just go and buy the Spektrum 2.4Ghz module, easy and with no hassles. It's also a good deal because includes a $99 dlls receiver for free!
One of the advantages of the Spektrum receivers is the build in diversity system, you can even buy one with 4 satellites like this one, or buy a super tiny, tiny setup like this one, or the traditional one.The diversity is crucial to have a reliable link when you are flying far away, also Spektrum has a receiver for Carbon Fiber airplanes (Carbon Fiber blocks RF signals).The idea is to have the best reliable hardware with an SMA connector and the SMA extension cable, after that you are ready for the final step: Get an amplifier. But we are talking about a few hundred dollars here, if you get the weakest one of 100mW it will cost you around $150 dlls. This is not pocket friendly in my point of view. So again our Asians friends come to the rescue, after making some research around the net I've found on eBay and a home Wireless Amplifier, so i decided to give it a chance and i bought it for 60 bucks including shipping! Wow that's a good deal! The one i got is this one.Note that the amplifier needs 6Volts to work, you can get a cheap 6V power regulator from here and just make the adapter. A 3 Cell LIPO is enough to supply it for a long time.
After receiving the AMP i did some tests, here are my results:Before using the amplifier, i was able to fly around 3000 feet away (~1 km) using a 900Mhz@500mW Video transmitter. I never lost the video signal, only the radio link...Using a 1.3Ghz@1Watt Video transmitter i was unable to fly more than 2000 feet away (~600meters). So the 1.3Ghz Video transmitter reduces my 2.4Ghz Spektrum range...Then i got my cheap Asian amplifier and using a 2.4Ghz Patch Antenna i was able to fly around 2.6 miles (4.18Km) away without a single glitch, but i was unable to continue because now my video was causing me problems, hehe!Not bad at all! Honestly i don't need more than 2 miles of coverage, is really a long way for an EasyStar. In conclusion the maximum range for my setup still unknown, but the range achieved is more that 2.6 miles and the +2 extra miles of coverage gained for less than $100 dlls is really a good deal for me!
Now just remember this:-The range will be different in other setups.-Never turn on your radio without antenna.-Never turn on the Amplifier without antenna.-Note that in some country's this amplifier may be illegal.Thanks for watching!
I am new to these forums. I have been reading this particular forum for awhile now. I am curious if this amplifier will work with the Futaba 10cg FASST transmitter. maybe someone has answered this and I have not seen it yet? Input much appreciated.
seems the amp is well made, looks like they use 2 attenuators on the input of the power amp chip. the power amp chip has a 33.5 db gain to it, so i'm thinking the 2 attenuators built in are rated for 20 db give or take.
when i connected my DX6 up to it with a 10 db attenuator inline i noticed the green led wouldn't stay on. even with a 3 db attenuator it would go out after a bit. no attenuator it didn't go out. and had the rated power out (well the best i could tell with my equiptment) i'm still playing with it until i feel comforable in usuing it with fpv helicopter.
after receiving my amp, i checked it out on my computer wifi and it seemed to work fine, so, i just had to open it up it see how it works. the link below is for the RF power circuit. From looking at the specs it appears to be pretty high gain.
Thanks Sqt. Ric. Yes that would have been helpful to have a link on the page where I bought it like the SMD - U.FL adaptor. That would have saved me some time trying to figure out what was wrong :)
Skyler Guest, my green light on the booster now turns on and doesn't need the airplane Rx to be turned on.
I haven't worked with Jordi's amps, but back when I was adding an 8db patch antenna to the back of my Futaba TX, I ran across the difference between SMA and RPSMA male and female ends.
I see the DIYDrones store does sell this adapter... perhaps that is what you needed? (remembering that SMA and RPSMA define female and male differently)
Well, the problem is solved and I don't know where to leave this information as the Drone store does not seem to have a customer service link. I bought both amps from Drone (500 mw and 1 watt) and both of the cables included are a male to female cable not Male to Male. So I purchased a gold pin to insert in the female end and it worked perfectly. I use the 6 db attenuator in line and I like the small cable as to keep everything on the radio.
So if you plan on using the included cable to connect your radio to the booster, you need to check the cable to make sure it has two male ends SMF.
Comments
seems the amp is well made, looks like they use 2 attenuators on the input of the power amp chip. the power amp chip has a 33.5 db gain to it, so i'm thinking the 2 attenuators built in are rated for 20 db give or take.
when i connected my DX6 up to it with a 10 db attenuator inline i noticed the green led wouldn't stay on. even with a 3 db attenuator it would go out after a bit. no attenuator it didn't go out. and had the rated power out (well the best i could tell with my equiptment) i'm still playing with it until i feel comforable in usuing it with fpv helicopter.
philip
after receiving my amp, i checked it out on my computer wifi and it seemed to work fine, so, i just had to open it up it see how it works. the link below is for the RF power circuit. From looking at the specs it appears to be pretty high gain.
http://www.skyworksinc.com/uploads/documents/200436E.pdf
Skyler Guest, my green light on the booster now turns on and doesn't need the airplane Rx to be turned on.
I see the DIYDrones store does sell this adapter... perhaps that is what you needed? (remembering that SMA and RPSMA define female and male differently)
So if you plan on using the included cable to connect your radio to the booster, you need to check the cable to make sure it has two male ends SMF.
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