How to boost your 2.4Ghz Spektrum/JR Transmitter signal!

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!

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Comments

roy maas March 23, 2011 at 12:30pm

Ed,

The stock DX7 antenna works fine, but:

I wil take the stock DX7 antenna off and make a new connecton at the same place for:

1; flying "normal" with a rubber duck antenna, but i don't no which one.

2; Flying FPV with a booster .

So this way i can choose.
Ed Stewart March 22, 2011 at 10:37am

It very much depends on your application, for flying line of sight (a kilometer or so) the stock antenna will serve you very well. If your going for long range FPV type flying you could read some of Ibcrazy's threads on rcgroups.com for a education on the subject.

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1328260
roy maas March 22, 2011 at 10:30am

Thanks Ed,

What antenna is a good one for the DX7?
Ed Stewart March 22, 2011 at 9:12am

yes but it looks like it might be a high gain, meaning very directional antenna so it would need to be pointed at the aircraft. Possibly even when it was close in and over head... That's the problem with any high gain antenna. You trade coverage for gain in a specific direction.
roy maas March 22, 2011 at 8:45am

In other words: can i use the standard boosterantenna if i connect it directly to the DX7 (without the booster) ?
Darren March 19, 2011 at 2:36pm

I'm not sure if this will work with your radio, but this is my next add-on to the frsky two way telemtry rig I'm building.

Which is made up of this booster

And this Antenna

But for right now this is the antenna I have on the radio.

Ultimatly, I would like to build a combo patch/omni for the radio, or another that works with the antenna tracking system on the ground.
roy maas March 19, 2011 at 1:21pm

Hi all,

I like to mod my DX7 for a booster and antenna, something like a RP-SMA?? connection replace the original DX7 antenna .

What antenna can i use for my DX7, type dbi ???
Duane Brocious March 14, 2011 at 8:55pm

In the USA, if you interfere with someones WIFI or other 2.4Ghz system do not be suprised in the FCC confiscates your radio and aircraft (to be destroyed) and fine the heck out of you for illegal modification to a transmitter/antenna. I suggest a good read of FCC documents or just ask some truckers what happens if you get caught with an "alligator" (slang for linear amplifier).

Just because you can buy something doesn't mean you can use it.
Kim Halavakoski March 5, 2011 at 12:30am

Hello,

has anyone modded Hitec Aurora 9(Spectra 2.4Ghz) module/transmitter with this? I'm just curious about how to connect the antenna cable, since the HItec modules have no U.FL connectors visible...probably inside the module case but has anyone opened up one yet?
Bill Vickers January 22, 2011 at 9:08am

You can check out what people are saying about the DL and the range they are getting here.

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1026959

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