Hi Guys, I have ben thinking about purchasing a range extender, but on looking about there seems so many to choose from (they also vary in price). Therefore 'oh great ones', I have the following questions;

1. Do they actually work?
2. If so, what would be the preferred manufacturer?

Thank you

/Chris

I bought a cheap set that were no use the bird flew farther with out em

Toorboy Posted at 2018-2-15 06:48
I bought a cheap set that were no use the bird flew farther with out em

Oh - I did wonder as you get a set on EBay for under a fiver

I have various and they ALL work. I have ones I 3D printed ... I have ones I bought that worked out as cheap as my printed ones !

For the Adv / Pro - you need the Dual Parabolic Reflector. This folds together for storage and goes into a case by side of P3 if necessary. You unfold and place over both antenna.

Does it work ? Yes most definitely. I averaged about 30 - 40% increased range or signal stability. I could hold 4 bars signal both video and command longer. But note that they make your signal directional - so you need to face them at your AC ... watching signal bars to be sure when at range.Do you need to be careful of which manufacturer or price ? Not as far as all the ones I have ... I tested various as it cost very little to do it.

The Dual I have for my P3P was less than $10 ....

I cannot show the eBay link as seller no longer active.

Any of them on this search will do fine - honest :

https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/sis.h ... 2057872.m2749.l2658

Nigel

I purchased this one from amazon for my P3S, it did increase my range https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/prod ... e?ie=UTF8&psc=1, it does my the antenna more dir3ctional tho.

AlanHd Posted at 2018-2-15 06:54
I purchased this one from amazon for my P3S, it did increase my range https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01K1ESM7M/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1, it does my the antenna more dir3ctional tho.

The P3S reflector is shorter and single ....

For P3A / P3P - needs a taller version and double as there are two antenna.

My P3S near doubled control range with reflector - but of course was nothing for video as that has different antenna inside case.

The P3A and P3P of course has both antenna external - that's advantage for the reflector as you now affect both command and video.

Nigel

Not worth buying. Some people swear they do, but my experience has been that in the area I fly, it does absolutely nothing.  Maybe if you're in a  relative flat area with no obstructions such as over
water , then it possibly could make a slight difference.

I use this one - https://www.amazon.com/gp/produc ... 5_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I think it does make a difference as I rarely lose signal now.

For less than $10 ? Worth a try anyway !! No modifications needed ... just slip it over antenna and try it out.

Nigel

I use DIY ones for my P3P when flying in areas where transmission is difficult (through tree tops or mountain canyons). I find they do help a lot. Since the signal is quite directional you need to pay attention to where your AC is.

I can fly further than my battery will last without them so meh..  just more crap to carry

Aloha Chris,

     Below is a thread from last year that really gets into it and with photos and video.  In my opinion, they supplement the antennae very well.  I use mine all the time.  

https://forum.dji.com/thread-60563-1-1.html

Aloha and Drone On!

Definitely a good to have..if under FCC ,this are even better to have.

I use a pair I got for $5 on ebay and they are fantastic.
No more dodgy signal down low and far out since I bought them.
No need for anything fancy, the cheap ones are perfectly good if the reflector is well shaped.

For me - its not about range - I got that out of my system when I modd'd my P3S and was getting over 5km range ...

Now its about quality and strength of signal. Generally I don't use my dual parabola - but occasionally I look at the location and feel helping signal could be better. Even a parabola that is not 'focused' precisely is better than none. Think about it - with stock antenna - you have signal being promulgated 360deg .... but with a parabola - the signal that was basically wasted is now reflected forward. Even if it is not parallel forward as a true parabolic reflector is supposed to - it will still push that signal forward and if you are not dead straight to AC antenna - will help.  
Measuring these reflectors - the ones I have are not true parallel beam reflectors ... but they create a 'beam' with a shallow angle - making a 'beam' that allows AC to be off that parallel centre line and still benefit.

Most time - you won't see benefit - but usually its there in signal strength. Don't forget - its two way as well .... the signal back from AC which hits parabola is reflected TO the antenna ...  

Nigel

Siambuddhas Group Posted at 2018-2-16 23:19
Definitely a good to have..if under FCC ,this are even better to have.

with FCC mode i dont need boost any antenna

I have an inexpensive reflector type booster for my P3A and it does improve range, particularly when the signal is going through trees.  It also makes it much more directional, so you have to be sure you are pointing it toward your bird.  

Like most here have said, they definitely help

Nebuchadnezzar Posted at 2018-2-17 03:56
with FCC mode i dont need boost any antenna

it more pin point..but can do without it if under FCC transmisson.....

Nebuchadnezzar Posted at 2018-2-17 03:56
with FCC mode i dont need boost any antenna

I think he meant LESS than FCC power ... when  he said "under FCC" .... ie CE.

But in fact FCC is still radiating 360 deg ............ so if you are now redirecting the 'wasted signal' forward to add to the 'beam' going to AC - you may not have more range power - but a better signal density. Less likely to lose good connection.

Nigel

It's interesting, I pushed my drone a little further today, some 700m out (I'm a novice so don't be hating). I was getting video interference at 700m (not total loss but it didn't look right). Is that normal? I wouldn't want to push it much further if it is.

Fly Safe.

Regards Chris

Chris_A Posted at 2018-2-17 16:13
It's interesting, I pushed my drone a little further today, some 700m out (I'm a novice so don't be hating). I was getting video interference at 700m (not total loss but it didn't look right). Is that normal? I wouldn't want to push it much further if it is.

Fly Safe.

Aloha Chris,

     If you use parabolics, the video will still be clean.

Aloha and Drone On!

Chris_A Posted at 2018-2-17 16:13
It's interesting, I pushed my drone a little further today, some 700m out (I'm a novice so don't be hating). I was getting video interference at 700m (not total loss but it didn't look right). Is that normal? I wouldn't want to push it much further if it is.

Fly Safe.

I have tried the homemade ones along with the purchased ones. All of them will improve your signal. All will have different results, but I find it hard to believe those that say they did nothing. Mostly it is not about getting out there just a long ways, but have a good signal while you are flying IMO. They are cheap, but you do have to remember they will focus your signal in one direction now, so you will have to stay pointed towards your phantom. I have tried these on a standard, P3A, and P3P, and was extremely surprised with the results on all of them. Good luck!

I also have had good luck with them. Don't remember the manufacture but they are inexpensive so I gave them a try. As the post above me states and I agree you have to keep them pointed toward your aircraft since they are more directional.

Something else you need to take in to consideration and thats the atmospherics, lets say you havent bought the parabollics  yet and go fly and manage 700m with a bit of loss in video but on a whole, it was ok, but then go out the next day, that loss could start at say 600m, or it could start at 800 or even 1000m each day will be different, some will be negligible other days , more noticeable, now, get ya self a reasonable parabollic and i can pretty much guarantee you can change that 700 in to a deffo 1200m (being conservative)  I doubled my distance when i got mine, more than worth it even if its just for closer work, less chance on break ups

Well I've ordered a set of Parabolic Antenna Range Booster via E-Bay (only a few £'s) and I'll run some flight tests once they arrive. Thanks to all for the comments

Regards

Chris

Chris_A Posted at 2018-2-21 01:10
Well I've ordered a set of Parabolic Antenna Range Booster via E-Bay (only a few £'s) and I'll run some flight tests once they arrive. Thanks to all for the comments

Regards

For the price .... costs more to park the car !!

Even if you don't see better range - check the signal bars at top you will most likely see  ... when AC is at moderate distance and visual - turn side to side slowly and you can see the signal bars change as the return signal has its angle to the reflectors altered ...

Nigel