Signal boosting

[Brodes97]

Hi there guys !
New phantom 3 standard owner here in Aus !
Just curious if there is a way to boost signal to my drone , noticed at around 100m in height the drone connection and signal drops to 1 bar and looses connection constantly , in a clear field with no obstruction, just wondering if there is any aftermarket signal boosters or things I can attempt to boost the signal !
Cheers

 

[captainmilehigh]

Welcome to the Forum !

There are a few signal boosters out there for the Standard. Two being the ARGtek and the Itelite. I myself use the Itelite booster and have excellent range and signal strength.

If you haven't already, check out msingers' site 'Phantomhelp.com' for everything you may need. Msinger is a member here, and an approved vendor.

On Phantomhelp.com, be sure to select the correct Phantom for your application. There, under Accessories/Antennas, you will see the listings of recommended antenna boosters.

 

[Meta4]

noticed at around 100m in height the drone connection and signal drops to 1 bar and looses connection constantly

It's not clear from your description if you sent the drone straight up.
But if you did, it's not uncommon to run out of signal up there.
With the drone straight above you, that is the worst angle for signal propagation.
For best results, you need to have the antennas of the controller and drone (in the legs) parallel and facing each other, which is impossible when the drone is directly overhead.

 

[Capt KO]

Even the cheap reflector type range extenders work, I was able to over double the range of my P3s with one. Might do in a pinch while deciding on something better.

 

[RodPad]

Welcome to the forum!
#1 Don't mess with the firmware!
#2 Have ever seen this work correctly?

I fought A LOT of P3S signal problems.

Rod ..

 

[Sixseas]

Hi there guys !
New phantom 3 standard owner here in Aus !
Just curious if there is a way to boost signal to my drone , noticed at around 100m in height the drone connection and signal drops to 1 bar and looses connection constantly , in a clear field with no obstruction, just wondering if there is any aftermarket signal boosters or things I can attempt to boost the signal !
Cheers

Hi there guys !
New phantom 3 standard owner here in Aus !
Just curious if there is a way to boost signal to my drone , noticed at around 100m in height the drone connection and signal drops to 1 bar and looses connection constantly , in a clear field with no obstruction, just wondering if there is any aftermarket signal boosters or things I can attempt to boost the signal !
Cheers

HI, I like flying the P3s down range. navigating by camera. Without a signal reflector at about 2000 feet (609m) down range it looses video not RC signal. I use a reflector about $4 on Aliexpress. At 400 feet (122m) altitude over a lake I get about 6850 feet (2088m), over the dessert and mountains about 5800 feet (1768m). Downrange I loose video feed before I loose RC control so need to return home because I cant navigate using the cam. A good quality signal and video booster may get you more range because this is a complex signal, as I understand it the RC signal is 2.4 Ghz the video 5.8 Ghz. My Mavic will fly significantly further but I prefer flying the larger P3s especially in the mountain winds where I need to go up 1800 ft to clear peaks.

 

[Mark The Droner]

HI, I like flying the P3s down range. navigating by camera. Without a signal reflector at about 2000 feet (609m) down range it looses video not RC signal. I use a reflector about $4 on Aliexpress. At 400 feet (122m) altitude over a lake I get about 6850 feet (2088m), over the dessert and mountains about 5800 feet (1768m). Downrange I loose video feed before I loose RC control so need to return home because I cant navigate using the cam. A good quality signal and video booster may get you more range because this is a complex signal, as I understand it the RC signal is 2.4 Ghz the video 5.8 Ghz. My Mavic will fly significantly further but I prefer flying the larger P3s especially in the mountain winds where I need to go up 1800 ft to clear peaks.

I would go with an ITELITE as mentioned in post #2, but it's hard to find a good mount for the P3S controller.

The P3S is a lot like the P2V series. Control is 5.8 ghz. FPV is 2.4 ghz.

The control signal transmits from the stick antenna. The FPV signal comes from two patch antennas hidden inside the controller facing forward. This means the parabolic deflector will potentially increase range for control but won't do anything for your FPV.

In the photo above, the deflector is blocking the front of the controller. Not good!

Here is a quick look at the inside of the P3S controller. Note the two patch antennas.

To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.

Accept third party cookies

This is probably the best thread on the internet for extending range for the P3S:

This is gonna be fun! (Distance tests)

Sup flyers! Been flying the p3a/p's for a while & i currently still fly the p2,vision,&vision plus running distance. Until now i havent got the chance to try p3's lil brother, the standard! Well a forum member here helped me complete my fleet(thanks Caleb!) I took the first flight tonight and...

phantompilots.com

Good luck

 

[captainmilehigh]

I would go with an ITELITE as mentioned in post #2, but it's hard to find a good mount for the P3S controller.

The P3S is a lot like the P2V series. Control is 5.8 ghz. FPV is 2.4 ghz.

The control signal transmits from the stick antenna. The FPV signal comes from two patch antennas hidden inside the controller facing forward. This means the parabolic deflector will potentially increase range for control but won't do anything for your FPV.

In the photo above, the deflector is blocking the front of the controller. Not good!

Here is a quick look at the inside of the P3S controller. Note the two patch antennas.

To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.

Accept third party cookies

This is probably the best thread on the internet for extending range for the P3S:

This is gonna be fun! (Distance tests)

Sup flyers! Been flying the p3a/p's for a while & i currently still fly the p2,vision,&vision plus running distance. Until now i havent got the chance to try p3's lil brother, the standard! Well a forum member here helped me complete my fleet(thanks Caleb!) I took the first flight tonight and...

phantompilots.com

Good luck

Wow, I remember that old thread about the Itelite DBS. It was about the time I got mine. That 'ol thread went on for 3 or 4 years with all sorts of great information. Still applies today too.

 

[RodPad]

@Brodes97
Are you still here?

Rod ..

 

[Brodes97]

Hi there everyone ! Still here!!
Sorry guys been super busy with work , now reading through all the suggestions and ideas and will be trying it out this weekend coming !
Really appreciate the support you guys have given !

 

[RodPad]

Thanks!

So many make 1 post, then disappear.

Couple of times I added maybe he fell of the cliff where he was looking for his bird.

Rod ..

 

[Brodes97]

Thanks!

So many make 1 post, then disappear.

Couple of times I added maybe he fell of the cliff where he was looking for his bird.

Rod ..

Oh it doesn’t shock me that people would do that, they get their answers and leave
I’ll post some footage in the next coming days (if everything works out and my drone doesn’t fall in the drink)

 

[Sixseas]

I would go with an ITELITE as mentioned in post #2, but it's hard to find a good mount for the P3S controller.

The P3S is a lot like the P2V series. Control is 5.8 ghz. FPV is 2.4 ghz.

The control signal transmits from the stick antenna. The FPV signal comes from two patch antennas hidden inside the controller facing forward. This means the parabolic deflector will potentially increase range for control but won't do anything for your FPV.

In the photo above, the deflector is blocking the front of the controller. Not good!

Here is a quick look at the inside of the P3S controller. Note the two patch antennas.

To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.

Accept third party cookies

This is probably the best thread on the internet for extending range for the P3S:

This is gonna be fun! (Distance tests)

Sup flyers! Been flying the p3a/p's for a while & i currently still fly the p2,vision,&vision plus running distance. Until now i havent got the chance to try p3's lil brother, the standard! Well a forum member here helped me complete my fleet(thanks Caleb!) I took the first flight tonight and...

phantompilots.com

Good luck

Thanks so much, I missed that. I cut the reflector back away from the 5.8 Ghz antenna. Now to do a full up range test next flight.