GETTING MORE FLIGHT RANGE FROM YOUR PHANTOM II
"In the interest of getting more range on my Phantom 2, I upgraded the antenna system both on the phantom and the transmitter."
This is not something for the faint of heart as you are doing major surgery on both to get coax cables to the gain antennas.
Instead of two monopole diversity antennas hanging down next to the legs for control, I have a 2.4Ghx pinwheel and a Vision patch antenna.
Another pinwheel antenna replaces the original 5.8 Ghz video transmitter white one (that tested about as well as a dummy load).
The Transmitter has a Half Sphere compact helix antenna with circular polarization,9 db gain, 76 degrees beam width.
The video receiver has a 4.24 turn helix.
Maximum range is around 2 miles. I do not recommend attempting to better that, as my max range test was really scary!
I still had control and video, but at 6+ minutes I turned around for home and flew straight back, deviating only to stay over dry land.
As it came high overhead the WARNING LEVEL 1 was on and I made a rapid but safe descent.
My recommendation is that you should always start your stopwatch just BEFORE you start the motors, and make sure you are on the way home before what you believe to be halftime on your batteries. I almost lost my Phantom and don’t wish to get that feeling of helplessness again!
From one of our favorite members!
Hank (juiceguy@juiceguy.com) Pictures below
