How to get better signal on fpv and rc car transmitter

[Pcinacan]

I have just got an fpv camera and monitor to put on my rc car, but the range is not too good.  Most antenies are made for drones that up in the air so what would be good for a road that is a bit hilly. I want to go drive it around and mess with people. I will also have a gopro on it to record people. MY video is in 5.8 and the rc car controller uses just 2.4, but it is a bit better in length. 

[Hackentosher]

What antennas and VTX are you using (specifically power, but whatever)? And what objects are between you and the car when you start losing video? 

[Pcinacan]

54 minutes ago, Hackentosher said:

What antennas and VTX are you using (specifically power, but whatever)? And what objects are between you and the car when you start losing video? 

I dont have any specs that much, but i have some pics. Also maybe 6 houses or like 50 yards?

[Hackentosher]

Oh shit, well there's part of your problem. Can I get some pictures of your rig? The components involved? You sure it's running on 5.8 using normal FPV frequencies?

[Pcinacan]

19 hours ago, Hackentosher said:

Oh shit, well there's part of your problem. Can I get some pictures of your rig? The components involved? You sure it's running on 5.8 using normal FPV frequencies?

yah sure tomorrow 

[KaminKevCrew]

If it's running on 5.8ghz, there's very little chance that you'll be able to get through 6 houses with any sort of good signal. If you want to be able to go through houses or hills, you should be running the fpv on sub 1mhz frequencies.

[Hackentosher]

1 hour ago, KaminKevCrew said:

If it's running on 5.8ghz, there's very little chance that you'll be able to get through 6 houses with any sort of good signal. If you want to be able to go through houses or hills, you should be running the fpv on sub 1mhz frequencies.

Perhaps he could use one of those old 1.3mhz fatshark VTXs? Doesn't that have better penetration? However, I think I remember Mr. Steele talking about how he couldn't go behind trees without signal breakups while Skitzo was dancing around objects on 5.8 with no issue. Damn I need my HAM license so I can understand this stuff  

[KaminKevCrew]

Just now, Hackentosher said:

Perhaps he could use one of those old 1.3mhz fatshark VTXs? Doesn't that have better penetration? However, I think I remember Mr. Steele talking about how he couldn't go behind trees without signal breakups while Skitzo was dancing around objects on 5.8 with no issue. Damn I need my HAM license so I can understand this stuff  

In the above post, I meant sub 1GHZ frequencies, not sub 1mhz... My mistake

 

Basically, the lower the frequency, the better the penetration that you'll get. The issue that steele was likely having was that the old fatshark receivers were super insensitive. 

 

Lower frequency gives you better penetration (which is why some guys still fly 72mhz), but you're also at the mercy of how well the antenna is tuned, as well as the sensitivity of the receiver itself. 

 

If you really want amazing penetration, you would really want to get something like a 433mhz Tx, with a 933 mhz VTx, and then run an external antenna for Tx and VRx, probably something like a 3+ turn helical. If you run a setup like that, you will end up with extreme range. (you know those TBS videos, where they fly out to 100km? Yeah, that's the kind of setup they're using, more than likely.)

[Hackentosher]

7 minutes ago, KaminKevCrew said:

In the above post, I meant sub 1GHZ frequencies, not sub 1mhz... My mistake

 

Basically, the lower the frequency, the better the penetration that you'll get. The issue that steele was likely having was that the old fatshark receivers were super insensitive. 

 

Lower frequency gives you better penetration (which is why some guys still fly 72mhz), but you're also at the mercy of how well the antenna is tuned, as well as the sensitivity of the receiver itself. 

 

If you really want amazing penetration, you would really want to get something like a 433mhz Tx, with a 933 mhz VTx, and then run an external antenna for Tx and VRx, probably something like a 3+ turn helical. If you run a setup like that, you will end up with extreme range. (you know those TBS videos, where they fly out to 100km? Yeah, that's the kind of setup they're using, more than likely.)

Damn, I thought they only went like 10km. I'd worry that you'd be bingo battery () after a few km on a TBS Discovery. Those Sheep bastards are crazy.

[Pcinacan]

1 hour ago, Hackentosher said:

Perhaps he could use one of those old 1.3mhz fatshark VTXs? Doesn't that have better penetration? However, I think I remember Mr. Steele talking about how he couldn't go behind trees without signal breakups while Skitzo was dancing around objects on 5.8 with no issue. Damn I need my HAM license so I can understand this stuff  

Here ar a few pics of the Getto Setup also How much would it cost to get some sub 1mhz stuff? 

Can i also convert my old stuff to it 

[Hackentosher]

Just now, Pcinacan said:

Here ar a few pics of the Getto Setup also How much would it cost to get some sub 1mhz stuff? Can i also convert my old stuff to it 

It's so ghetto I love it  

 

You'll need a VTX from this list https://www.fpvheadquarters.com/fpv/1-2-ghz/vtx.html

This receiver and a display device that can accept that video output https://www.fpvheadquarters.com/fpv/1-2-ghz/vrx/digital-1-2-ghz-video-receiver.html

and then this ridiculous, larger-than-your-head 1.2ghz antenna https://www.fpvheadquarters.com/fpv/1-2-ghz/antennas/vas-1-2-ghz-rhcp-bluebeam-whip-set-ibcrazy.html

 

I realize that's expensive, but it's propper FPV gear. 5.8 is a lot more popular because reasons that I would understand if I got my HAM technician license, and thus makes it cheaper as well.

[t0wer]

You won't get very far on that system.

5.8ghz linear system that I can only assume is 10-25mw for an FCC stamp.

 

put the antennas higher and you will get a little better range. 6 houses without obstructions will be pushing it. I tested 10mw 5.8ghz 6 houses down yesterday, and it was borderline with a skew planer.

 

If you change the transmitting antennas on your current system or change the system to 1.3ghz you need a ham license. $15 to take the test for a 10 year license in USA, iirc.

[Pcinacan]

18 hours ago, t0wer said:

You won't get very far on that system.

5.8ghz linear system that I can only assume is 10-25mw for an FCC stamp.

 

put the antennas higher and you will get a little better range. 6 houses without obstructions will be pushing it. I tested 10mw 5.8ghz 6 houses down yesterday, and it was borderline with a skew planer.

 

If you change the transmitting antennas on your current system or change the system to 1.3ghz you need a ham license. $15 to take the test for a 10 year license in USA, iirc.

ugg tests 

[Pcinacan]

22 hours ago, Hackentosher said:

It's so ghetto I love it  

 

You'll need a VTX from this list https://www.fpvheadquarters.com/fpv/1-2-ghz/vtx.html

This receiver and a display device that can accept that video output https://www.fpvheadquarters.com/fpv/1-2-ghz/vrx/digital-1-2-ghz-video-receiver.html

and then this ridiculous, larger-than-your-head 1.2ghz antenna https://www.fpvheadquarters.com/fpv/1-2-ghz/antennas/vas-1-2-ghz-rhcp-bluebeam-whip-set-ibcrazy.html

 

I realize that's expensive, but it's propper FPV gear. 5.8 is a lot more popular because reasons that I would understand if I got my HAM technician license, and thus makes it cheaper as well.

Well i dont have much money, what can i do for like 25ish???? waht if i got a bigg ass antenna and/or an amp for it? 

[Hackentosher]

1 hour ago, Pcinacan said:

Well i dont have much money, what can i do for like 25ish???? waht if i got a bigg ass antenna and/or an amp for it? 

HAHHAHAHAhA. cute. For $25, you can maybe get a 25mw cheapass 5.8ghz vtx.

[t0wer]

You can get a HAM license, and build some antennas, but you still won't be able to go over a hill.

[Hackentosher]

1 hour ago, t0wer said:

You can get a HAM license, and build some antennas, but you still won't be able to go over a hill.

Eh, when it comes to FPV, you can usually get away with not having a license. But it's good to have anyway.

[Pcinacan]

20 hours ago, Hackentosher said:

HAHHAHAHAhA. cute. For $25, you can maybe get a 25mw cheapass 5.8ghz vtx.

so what if i got this? http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__77702__TXPA58002W5_5_8GHz_AV_Transmitter_Signal_Booster.html and http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__91614__Aomway_5_8GHz_4_Leaf_Clover_Antenna_Set_for_TX_RX_SMA_RHCP_AR_Warehouse_.html

[Pcinacan]

Just now, Pcinacan said:

so what if i got this? http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__77702__TXPA58002W5_5_8GHz_AV_Transmitter_Signal_Booster.html and http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__91614__Aomway_5_8GHz_4_Leaf_Clover_Antenna_Set_for_TX_RX_SMA_RHCP_AR_Warehouse_.html

or this boster http://www.tmart.com/5.8GHz-FPV-Transmitter-RF-Signal-Amplifier-AMP-for-Airplane-Helicopter-Model_p335143.html?cc=USD&fixed_price=hk_intl&gclid=CjwKEAjw26C9BRCOrKeYgJH17kcSJACb-HNAFw_Xl2UgVD3cQyToddeYNeDUXV0Fzehd5NBCe_duoRoCqoHw_wcB

[Hackentosher]

34 minutes ago, Pcinacan said:

or this boster http://www.tmart.com/5.8GHz-FPV-Transmitter-RF-Signal-Amplifier-AMP-for-Airplane-Helicopter-Model_p335143.html?cc=USD&fixed_price=hk_intl&gclid=CjwKEAjw26C9BRCOrKeYgJH17kcSJACb-HNAFw_Xl2UgVD3cQyToddeYNeDUXV0Fzehd5NBCe_duoRoCqoHw_wcB

 

35 minutes ago, Pcinacan said:

so what if i got this? http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__77702__TXPA58002W5_5_8GHz_AV_Transmitter_Signal_Booster.html and http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__91614__Aomway_5_8GHz_4_Leaf_Clover_Antenna_Set_for_TX_RX_SMA_RHCP_AR_Warehouse_.html

These just add more power to the signal. If you have a 600mw transmitter, that adds an extra 200mw. An omni directional antenna might not be the best choice. A diversity receiver with an omni and a hugeass directional antenna will also help, but these are expensive things we're talking about. You're not going to be able to do this on the cheap.

[Pcinacan]

12 minutes ago, Hackentosher said:

 

These just add more power to the signal. If you have a 600mw transmitter, that adds an extra 200mw. An omni directional antenna might not be the best choice. A diversity receiver with an omni and a hugeass directional antenna will also help, but these are expensive things we're talking about. You're not going to be able to do this on the cheap.

I have whats some videos an that seams to be the best bang for buck. also what will the extra 200mw do for me?

[Hackentosher]

2 minutes ago, Pcinacan said:

I have whats some videos an that seams to be the best bang for buck. also what will the extra 200mw do for me?

Well range is dependent on a lot of things. In a perfect environment with no obstructions, 800mw could maybe (by my guestimations) go for a mile. But as soon as you throw in interference from Wi-Fi networks on 5.8ghz, obstructions of both concrete and metal, that range will be drastically reduced.

[Pcinacan]

Just now, Hackentosher said:

Well range is dependent on a lot of things. In a perfect environment with no obstructions, 800mw could maybe (by my guestimations) go for a mile. But as soon as you throw in interference from Wi-Fi networks on 5.8ghz, obstructions of both concrete and metal, that range will be drastically reduced.

but the 200mw and better antenna will make it better right? also i dont have much 5.8 around me. 

[Hackentosher]

Just now, Pcinacan said:

but the 200mw and better antenna will make it better right? also i dont have much 5.8 around me. 

Yes. But it will (legally) require a HAM license to operate.

[Pcinacan]

 

2 minutes ago, Hackentosher said:

Yes. But it will (legally) require a HAM license to operate.

ok