chazz said:
Hi Itchybeard, like your handle...I have a question, I have a phantom 2 vision plus and I installed the compact extreme on the rc unit and I'm not getting much farther distances from the fpv or controller signal. 1300ft maybe. I was getting 1100 stock. The area I fly has a lot of trees. To get the distances some are getting does it need to be a totally clear line of sight? I thought I may have messed up soldering the two part connector to the RC but connecting the cable to the wifi repeater was pretty much fool prof and I'm not getting much better distance with that either. Will changing the UAV antennas and adding a rf amp help with this issue and get me to 4000ft? or do i just have to get away from the trees? Thank You
Hi, Chazz
Changing the cable in the RC controller might help (if your soldering job is a bit dodgy), but it means you'll have to take the risk of scraping away the silicone that glues the DJI pigtail to the board. Yes, I did do this myself, but I would not advise anyone else to try it. It requires a lot of patience and a very delicate touch.
If you do decide to try it then the 180mm cable is a better match than most off-the-shelf cables on the market at the moment.
Are you using an Android display device? If you are then use a booster app to increase FPV range.
My display device is a Samsung Galaxy Note 3 and on the test flight where I got out to 4230 feet (yes, it was line-of-sight). I was using PVFlyer's "FPV Booster" app. These days I use Taco RC's "Vision+ Utility Pro" because it allows me to boost the power of the range extender as well as the power of the wi-fi module in the bird.
If you
do use Taco Rc's app, don't go mental and crank it all up to 11. Run about 17dBm boost on the range extender and 12bdBm boost on the camera in the bird.
Also, if you are running an Android display device then get a copy of the "WiFi Prioritizer" app, and then put your Phantom's wifi at the top of the list. This will help to stop your device trying to connect to networks with a stronger signal than your Phantom.
You must keep the antennas pointed at the bird as accurately as possible. The radar display can help you do this, but you should calibrate the compass in your display device before every flight so that the app gives you a true heading.
Get a bit of altitude. 400 feet will get you out further than hugging the ground at 150 - 200 feet.
Get away from the trees! Trees soak up an RF signal like a sponge. Also stay away from sources of interference like power lines, cell towers and residential areas. Some people have amplified their wi-fi systems and this can knock out your FPV signal.
I hope this helps
Itchy