So, I bought a Phantom 3 Standard and flew around a bit. Then, to get better range, I bought a windsurfer that worked nicely. It increased the range by about 1.5x and then the controller signal would still be good but the image signal would be gone. To get even more range, I bought the ArgTek antenna upgrade for the controller. The image signal is great now and has lots of range, but the controller signal is behacing weirdly. Firstly it seems to have a lower range now than the stock antenna with the windsurfer, and secondly it gets stronger and weaker . Sometimes, it will go from 3-4 bars to one bar or signal lost. Also, it changes when I change the orientation of the drone.

If anyone here has experience with the ArgTek antenna kit, do you have any idea what could be causing this and how it could be resolved?
I already took apart the controller again and redid all of the connections, I also covered the plugs in hot glue to make them stable.
What else can I do? Are there other 5.8G antennas out there that might work better? Or do I just have one with a bad contact or something?

If anyone can, please help.

Make sure the antenna wires have a good, solid connection. They stress that with the instructions.

ALFA panel antennas are the upgrade to Argtek antennas

Thanks for your replies, guys, but I figured out my issue, and yeah, it is a bad connection.
But this bad connection is not on the plug or the antennna, it is inside the Argtek plastic thing that goes onto the controller. When I encounter my issue, I literally have to shake the controller once and it will go away.
Kinda sucks, but works.

Thanks for the post. good info 4 me. Was thinking of the same up-grade next year for my P3S.

fansef854c89 Posted at 2017-10-13 06:25
Thanks for your replies, guys, but I figured out my issue, and yeah, it is a bad connection.
But this bad connection is not on the plug or the antennna, it is inside the Argtek plastic thing that goes onto the controller. When I encounter my issue, I literally have to shake the controller once and it will go away.
Kinda sucks, but works.

If you have issues kindly email to sales@argtek.com and they will following up your case.

One of the issues I had with the Argtek connectors on the 'bridge' ... the plastic is just that little bit thick and the antenna needs to be tightened down to make sure connection is 100%. If you fit any other antenna or booster - I had to grind back the antenna screw barrel approx. 0.1mm to make sure it seated fully home. The threaded connector exiting the plastic is just that touch short.

One test I made was to glue two Windsurfers together and then fit to the Argtek centre antenna ... WOW !! I had over 4500m range then ...

Nigel

there is another known issue with the argtek take a look at the picture I posted its from my DBS but the connection is the same. see the center pin, it should be even with the top of the rim or slightly above it as in the picture. some have been found to be below it some by a decent amount and it weakens the connection between the connectors. if yours are below the top rim you can carefully file that top rim down, do not go so far as to damage the threads if it looks like you will have to file that far I suggest just sending it back for a new one [img]https://forum11.djicdn.com/data/attachment/forum/%5BURL=http://s1007.photobucket.com/user/epicdoom/media/20170913_213640_zpsfkh7am0f.jpg.html%5D[/URL][/img]

I'm having the same problem but my connections are tight. Did you remove the stock antennas from the inside?

Epicdoom, I checked, it's just fine, the center pin slightly sticks out. It probably really is a bad contact. I also want to point out that shaking the controller just once does reliably fix it (for a certain amount of time or until I accidentally shake it the wrong way).

KEM, I left them in there, but they aren't connected. Additionally, those are the 2.4 GHz antennas, I really don't see any way they could influence the 5.8 GHz antenna.

I just got an ARTEK antenna for my DJI phantom  3 advanced. I also get a poor connection when BOTH antennas are connected. When one antenna is connectrect it works, but limited in distance the drone can go. Anyone have this problem?

I did not have any luck with the ARtek antenna system on my P3S.  It did little to increase my range.  So I removed them and stored them on a shelf.  Waste of money for me. After a minor crash, I sent the drone to DJI for evaluation.  They actually sent me a different drone.  Now, right out of the box, I'm getting 6,500 feet and loving it.

solentlife Posted at 2017-10-13 11:26
One of the issues I had with the Argtek connectors on the 'bridge' ... the plastic is just that little bit thick and the antenna needs to be tightened down to make sure connection is 100%. If you fit any other antenna or booster - I had to grind back the antenna screw barrel approx. 0.1mm to make sure it seated fully home. The threaded connector exiting the plastic is just that touch short.

One test I made was to glue two Windsurfers together and then fit to the Argtek centre antenna ... WOW !! I had over 4500m range then ...

I got poor range with ARGtex.

Do you mind send me some photo of where and how you file it down to make 100% connection? Kynhan2009@gmail.com.

I appriciate it!

I would but DJI are not allowing the post

you can always put TWO reflectors together on that central stick antenna ...

Works very well

fansef854c89 Posted at 2017-10-13 06:25
Thanks for your replies, guys, but I figured out my issue, and yeah, it is a bad connection.
But this bad connection is not on the plug or the antennna, it is inside the Argtek plastic thing that goes onto the controller. When I encounter my issue, I literally have to shake the controller once and it will go away.
Kinda sucks, but works.

Have you fixed the problem?
If you have, what distance and hight can you get them?

solentlife Posted at 2017-10-13 11:26
One of the issues I had with the Argtek connectors on the 'bridge' ... the plastic is just that little bit thick and the antenna needs to be tightened down to make sure connection is 100%. If you fit any other antenna or booster - I had to grind back the antenna screw barrel approx. 0.1mm to make sure it seated fully home. The threaded connector exiting the plastic is just that touch short.

One test I made was to glue two Windsurfers together and then fit to the Argtek centre antenna ... WOW !! I had over 4500m range then ...

Were Is the place where it can be weak contact?
how does one do to fix it?