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Post by Ben Freedman on Apr 8, 2009 9:10:47 GMT -5
Howdy...
My 2nd biggest concern flying the X6 (my first is wind) is the range of the video, and the range of the transmitter....
I can walk 20 feet away from the X6, and the signal strength drops to 60%. At 100ft of altitude, I'm usually around 30-40%.
Draganfly says this is normal, and that those levels are not as low as it seems, but I've also had times at around 200ft where I've lost control for a few seconds, which scares the heck out of me...
I sent the X6 back a while ago for a different issue, and they did a range test, concluding that there was nothing wrong, but I think that use in an urban crowded area like Phoenix may be causing a lot more interference than in Saskatoon...
What are your thoughts on range? Any issues?
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Post by helicrazi on Apr 8, 2009 12:23:51 GMT -5
Ben,
I don't have any input as to the video range yet, as I didn't get Dragonfly's glasses. I opted to get different ones from a good friend in the microwave industry, he has helped me with my mast system he's a guru when it comes to transmitting and receiving microwave frequencies. I will be seeing him this Sunday and maybe he can give us some input.
As to the range on the 2.4ghz side and the signal strengh this is what Spektrum say's: When used in intended parkflyer models, the range is farther than you can see the model to control it. We don't give a specific range because many issues such as signal attenuation due to metallic conductive material in the aircraft has an effect on the overall range. In fact, that is the main reason why the DX6 is limited to parkflyers only.
Maybe my friend can help us out on this also.
I feel I havn't been much help but I'll try and find out as much as I can.
Monte
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Post by skyshark on Apr 8, 2009 13:42:02 GMT -5
Ben and Helicrazy,
I've been doing a lot of research and comparison between Draganflyer X6 and Microdrones Md 4-200 model. I've noticed that the Microdrones has two antennas located outside of the aircraft. I've also read that Carbon fiber materials help decrease the chance of electromagnetic interference. Do you think the antenna location and or materials of the aircraft prevent good signal reception? Are you able to test the signal strength by flying the X6 without the canopy? Is the canopy even made out of carbon fiber or is that part nylon?
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Post by helicrazi on Apr 8, 2009 13:53:57 GMT -5
Hello skysark, the canopy is some sort of plastic, the 2.4ghz antenna must be located in the underside section as I have not seen it. most all my heli's that are 2.4ghz I have two antenna's and yes carbon fiber can cause problem's. one thing you shouldn't do is have the antenna pionted at the heli. as the signal is shaped like a funnel, and if it's pointing at the heli it could be a dead or weak zone. with the problems I'm having I haven't flown more than 100-150' away and I havn't had any link problem's. I would think that it should have at least a 1 mile range.
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Post by sRagnar on Apr 9, 2009 22:51:20 GMT -5
i have had it out about 450 feet and lost control. the video reception is only about 150 feet and after that it goes bad. dragan claims 2100 feet?? it is nowhere near that neither the video not the hand controller. yea and it is scary to loose control!  I was in an area where there was a ditch between me and the x6 so that would have been superbad. I walked towards it and got control again. not happy on that one. The video goggles that I got from dragan I sent back. they are very uncomfortable and the ones that I got did not function. i got some from a company called myvu. www.myvu.com/Myvu-SoloPlus-C26.aspxwhat a difference!! work like a charm very narrow so the field of vision over and under are great. very light and comfortable. way way better and only $99 for the pair. |
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Post by helicrazi on Apr 10, 2009 10:45:22 GMT -5
Siggi I know I've mentioned about antenna and have you had a chance to experiment with it ? I'm suprized about the video since it has two antenna's. have you tried moving the two video antenna's around when you lose video ? on our mast system we had a hard time getting it straightened out, and most the time we are less than 50'. one of our original systems still has issuse, and I pined it down, the radio is on 2.4ghz and video is on 5.8ghz hope thats right, ghz, mgz ? anyway if the two are to close to one another I get interferance even though it's two differant fregencies, the radio transmits at higher power like one watt, and the video is milliwatts. the newest system that was custom made by another Monte, Lol thats his name too !!!! he really knows this stuff, been in it for 30+ years I will be meeting with him Sunday if you want to call me while I'm there he could awnser any question's about microware. here's his site www.wirelessvideocameras.com/ great guy, I'm sure he'll have some input when we meet. I wonder what wattage Draganfly is using for transmiting on both side's ? on page 54 of the manual you can ajust the transmitter power, I check mine and if I remember right I couldn't set it at 17dbm it was ethier higher or lower, I'll ask the other Monte about this also Sunday. Monte |
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Post by helicrazi on Apr 12, 2009 9:39:40 GMT -5
I was able to see Monte @ wireless video cameras, he figured my connection problem with my video glasses, the X6 A/V out is wired to sony standard, and I didn't have an addapter for that. he made up an adt. works good now. as far as video range, I really didn't get a chance to discuss it. I know there are laws as to the power that can be transmitted on differant feq. I'll email him or call and ask him about it. I do know that I have lost video before on the mast and all I have to do is move the antenna.
Monte
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Post by helicrazi on Apr 13, 2009 10:23:41 GMT -5
On the 5.8 side this is what he said:
The output is listed as 50mV at 3 meter range or 0.25mW RF output.
Part of the difference in performance is the receiver sensitivity rated in dB, and the receiver antenna gain. In most cases the transmitter will be an Omni type antenna with zero gain. This is why have our H series transmitters for helicopter aerial photography work using a direction transmitter antenna pointed downwards with a cone type pattern, this has the effect of a higher output power as well as reducing the reflection from the carbon fiber blades.
Monte Salot
Wireless Video Cameras .com
800-790-8451
Cell - 949-533-3516
Fax 951-253-4766
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Post by skyshark on Apr 22, 2009 12:06:48 GMT -5
The transmitter uses Direct-sequence spread spectrum transmission. It should have excellent range and should be capable of operation in noisy electrical environments. Check out Wikipedia's definition on DSSP. It has some pretty good information on the technology. I think the solution could be a matter of antenna positioning of the transceiver and for the video. Could someone video a range test in an open safe area (distance) and post it on Youtube?
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Post by helicrazi on Apr 22, 2009 14:19:09 GMT -5
I'll see what I can do, this weekend is out have an event to go to, but I try asap.
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Post by skyshark on Apr 29, 2009 21:11:50 GMT -5
For video reception are you using the handheld controller or the base station's antennas? How is the base station's video reception for video. What's it's range??
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I was in an area where there was a ditch between me and the x6 so that would have been superbad. I walked towards it and got control again. not happy on that one.