https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LATEGOA/ref=cm_cr_ryp_prd_ttl_sol_0
If you want a way to inexpensively, easily, and effectively "boost" your DJI drone's signal strength and range then Kuuqa's copper lined parabolic reflectors are the way to go. I prefer copper over the aluminum because copper is the nobler of the two metals which means it has less resistance and therefore is more conductive. This increased conductivity means more RF energy will go up and out of the antenna and not get trapped wasted it into heat energy. I've seen videos out there of people opening up their transmitters, drilling holes all over and adding different gain antennas onto them but this is risky and also obviously voids your warranty. I put the word "boost" into quotes because these parabolic reflectors do not literally boost the signal strength, but instead refocus the RF signal out and away from you in a more focused signal. They are a perfect parabola (or nearly) where the foci is in the perfect location as to maximize your signal.
These reflectors easily slide onto your existing dual antennas on your DJI remote. Note that these are made only for DJI transmitters with dual antennas, not the earlier single antenna on earlier Phantom models. When sliding on notice that one hole is a different shape then the opposite end. I tried initially installing them and couldn't figure out why they wouldn't fit but it was because they only go on one direction. I wish there were markings on the reflectors to indicate this but a simple arrow UP with a Sharpie solves the problem.
These Kuuqa's reflectors came in a nice box and I was surprised about how small and compact it was for storage and travel since they open and close in a clamshell fashion. Mine had a bit of oxidation where presumably a factory worker touched the metal because you could see the fingerprints. A quick rub with a salt and vinegar solution cleaned these up well. Take care to not scratch the copper surface. The smoother and cleaner the surface, the better the performance. Speaking of performance. I can't give you quantitative numbers of how far these will increase your signal, however if you keep them directed at the aircraft always while flying then you will get the most out of them. I did a field test with and without the reflectors on the street about 800 feet away and only a few feet off the ground with cars and mailboxes blocking my path. WITH the reflectors I had immediate camera control and video, without them there was about a 1/2 to 1 second latency in the camera movement and I had lost and frozen frames in my tablet's screen. If you're up for some very technical but informative information on how antennas work then go to www.antenna-theory.com. DJI's antennas on the transmitter are a dipole antenna and thereby create a "donut" shaped radiation pattern. This means that wherever the tips of your antenna point then you are the hole in that donut and you will get a greatly diminished signal. So...pointing the tips (not sides) towards the quadcopter "the donut hole" will give you the weakest transmission signal. If your parabolic reflectors are facing out and angled up then your range will improve significantly as well as video signal strength. This is where these reflectors, although work very well, fall a bit flat. When installed they point/angle down slightly because the transmitter gets in the way and they won't angle up further. This is complicated more if you have a large tablet hanging over it. If you don't hold the transmitter correctly with your antennas oriented properly then your range may reduce.
PROS:
If you want a way to inexpensively, easily, and effectively "boost" your DJI drone's signal strength and range then Kuuqa's copper lined parabolic reflectors are the way to go. I prefer copper over the aluminum because copper is the nobler of the two metals which means it has less resistance and therefore is more conductive. This increased conductivity means more RF energy will go up and out of the antenna and not get trapped wasted it into heat energy. I've seen videos out there of people opening up their transmitters, drilling holes all over and adding different gain antennas onto them but this is risky and also obviously voids your warranty. I put the word "boost" into quotes because these parabolic reflectors do not literally boost the signal strength, but instead refocus the RF signal out and away from you in a more focused signal. They are a perfect parabola (or nearly) where the foci is in the perfect location as to maximize your signal.
These reflectors easily slide onto your existing dual antennas on your DJI remote. Note that these are made only for DJI transmitters with dual antennas, not the earlier single antenna on earlier Phantom models. When sliding on notice that one hole is a different shape then the opposite end. I tried initially installing them and couldn't figure out why they wouldn't fit but it was because they only go on one direction. I wish there were markings on the reflectors to indicate this but a simple arrow UP with a Sharpie solves the problem.
These Kuuqa's reflectors came in a nice box and I was surprised about how small and compact it was for storage and travel since they open and close in a clamshell fashion. Mine had a bit of oxidation where presumably a factory worker touched the metal because you could see the fingerprints. A quick rub with a salt and vinegar solution cleaned these up well. Take care to not scratch the copper surface. The smoother and cleaner the surface, the better the performance. Speaking of performance. I can't give you quantitative numbers of how far these will increase your signal, however if you keep them directed at the aircraft always while flying then you will get the most out of them. I did a field test with and without the reflectors on the street about 800 feet away and only a few feet off the ground with cars and mailboxes blocking my path. WITH the reflectors I had immediate camera control and video, without them there was about a 1/2 to 1 second latency in the camera movement and I had lost and frozen frames in my tablet's screen. If you're up for some very technical but informative information on how antennas work then go to www.antenna-theory.com. DJI's antennas on the transmitter are a dipole antenna and thereby create a "donut" shaped radiation pattern. This means that wherever the tips of your antenna point then you are the hole in that donut and you will get a greatly diminished signal. So...pointing the tips (not sides) towards the quadcopter "the donut hole" will give you the weakest transmission signal. If your parabolic reflectors are facing out and angled up then your range will improve significantly as well as video signal strength. This is where these reflectors, although work very well, fall a bit flat. When installed they point/angle down slightly because the transmitter gets in the way and they won't angle up further. This is complicated more if you have a large tablet hanging over it. If you don't hold the transmitter correctly with your antennas oriented properly then your range may reduce.
PROS:
- Nearly perfect parabolic shape means that you will get the best range possible
- Inexpensive and easy to install
- Smooth copper reflective material is superior to aluminum
- I found Kuuqa's customer service to be stellar with quick response times to my questions and friendly, helpful staff
- Build quality is nice and copper never delaminated from the plastic substrate
- Reflectors should be made shorter so that they do not interfere with the transmitter and can be angled up where they are most efficient (see photos)
- Although the clamshell design is nice, I would prefer the two parabolic reflectors to be separate so that I could adjust each individual antenna. This can be done, by the way, by just removing the two pins at the hinge of the clamshell