Maxx VS Terminator. Long distance antenna shootout!

Ed209 · May 20, 2016

Zhōngjié zhě

shockwave199 · May 20, 2016

RocketBrew said:
I noticed that the swivel indent from the DJI antenna made it difficult to properly tighten the connector, and that it moved when putting on an antenna or cable. Fortunately we have a nice soldering / microscope station at work and a guy who knows how to use it who repaired the cable connection to the connector.

Asked Jake about these little plastic spacers shown in an eBay kit from China.
View attachment 54531
He suggested using a washer with a larger outside diameter to hold it against the chromed ring instead. A few cents at Ace hardware and that did the trick for me, along with a few dabs of hot glue inside for insurance.
View attachment 54532

Is this the Maxx uav clean install kit? Why would you need to buy washers? I'm waiting on that kit too but I expected it to be complete and fit so there's no need for anything extra to noodle around with, such as washers to make a better fit. Am I misunderstanding? Thanks.

RocketBrew · May 20, 2016

shockwave199 said:
Is this the Maxx uav clean install kit? Why would you need to buy washers? I'm waiting on that kit too but I expected it to be complete and fit so there's no need for anything extra to noodle around with, such as washers to make a better fit. Am I misunderstanding? Thanks.

Correct.
It is "complete", but I was not happy with the way the included washer seated, and as such I did not tighten it down enough to keep it from twisting. The wider washer allows the nut to tighten evenly, which seems to provide a more secure fit.

nix240z · May 20, 2016

I mounted my 2.4 GHz 14 dBi Flat Panel Range Extender Antenna's on a tripod with 4' cables.
I read that the antenna's need to be spaced apart, so these are about 6".
Raining here so cannot test against the panels side by side.

phxbird57 · May 20, 2016

Where did you read about spacing them. Because Horizon had them right beside each other.

maxwell smart · May 20, 2016

nix240z said:
I mounted my 2.4 GHz 14 dBi Flat Panel Range Extender Antenna's on a tripod with 4' cables.
I read that the antenna's need to be spaced apart, so these are about 6".
Raining here so cannot test against the panels side by side.

View attachment 54555

That looks good , cant wait to hear how it works for you.

phxbird57 · May 20, 2016

maxwell smart said:
That looks good , cant wait to hear how it works for you.

Yes it is interesting I'm interested to see how it works apart

Ed209 · May 20, 2016

4ft cables? I think that you'd have a lot of loss?

phxbird57 · May 20, 2016

Ed209 said:
4ft cables? I think that you'd have a lot of loss?

I did not measure mine. But I think it's only like 24 inch's . And I was thinking I'll leave it. Because one less connection.

Ed209 · May 20, 2016

I think adding any great length of coax is gonna mess with the attenuation enough. And also depending on the model RC you're going to lose some power due to length of cables.

phxbird57 · May 20, 2016

Ed209 said:
I think adding any great length of coax is gonna mess with the attenuation enough. And also depending on the model RC you're going to lose some power due to length of cables.

I was reading somebody was stating how much but it was based off of 100 ft drop line. Which we are not talking about. Yes you loss db with any cable and also any connection. By me leaving the cable on I have one less connection.

nix240z · May 20, 2016

Ed209 said:
4ft cables? I think that you'd have a lot of loss?

These panels side by side have already outperformed my fpvlr v2 boosted setup

Ed209 · May 20, 2016

Hey it's worth a shot. 24" and 4' are a big difference. The loss in the connectors is really minimal but the loss in the length of cable is greater. I'm not sure how the DJI radios will perform with long cables but ideally in the FPV world you want to mount your transmitter/radio as close to the antenna and then run a control line to the rc controller. But we don't have that luxury with the DJI remotes.

phxbird57 · May 20, 2016

Ed209 said:
Hey it's worth a shot. 24" and 4' are a big difference. The loss in the connectors is really minimal but the loss in the length of cable is greater. I'm not sure how the DJI radios will perform with long cables but ideally in the FPV world you want to mount your transmitter/radio as close to the antenna and then run a control line to the rc controller. But we don't have that luxury with the DJI remotes.

Yes true.

Reed L · May 21, 2016

You could try beveled washers - Google Search to adjust for off angles inside the remote

RocketBrew · May 21, 2016

Reed L said:
You could try beveled washers - Google Search to adjust for off angles inside the remote

The problem isn't an angle inside. It is on the outside where the original antenna has a piece of plastic that limits the rotation of the antenna. So that creates a void in the outer stub where it travels.
The eBay Chinese kit shows these filler pieces, but someone here who purchased it said theirs did not come with them.

phxbird57 · May 21, 2016

Ed209 said:
Hey it's worth a shot. 24" and 4' are a big difference. The loss in the connectors is really minimal but the loss in the length of cable is greater. I'm not sure how the DJI radios will perform with long cables but ideally in the FPV world you want to mount your transmitter/radio as close to the antenna and then run a control line to the rc controller. But we don't have that luxury with the DJI remotes.

Ed question for you. If you look at picture 6 of the antenna in question. You will see a 1/2 " of copper wiring coming though the solder. It's bent over and it's the core of the cable for contact to the plates. I was thinking that may cause a problem with the signal? Do you know.

Ed209 · May 21, 2016

phxbird57 said:
Ed question for you. If you look at picture 6 of the antenna in question. You will see a 1/2 " of copper wiring coming though the solder. It's bent over and it's the core of the cable for contact to the plates. I was thinking that may cause a problem with the signal? Do you know.
View attachment 54607

I am not an antenna expert but I believe that is ok/by design. Perhaps someone else can chime in.

phxbird57 · May 21, 2016

Ok

Ed209 said:
I am not an antenna expert but I believe that is ok/by design. Perhaps someone else can chime in.

Ok

Andy Thomas · May 21, 2016

Did my first test with the Maxx. Went to a park that I have flown several times and flying in 4 different directions, the best improvement over the smaller Itelite brother was only about 100 yards further over a mile distance. Also had some sporadic drops on control and video. Very disappointed so far.