FPV 5.8GHz helical antenna shootout
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 1 พ.ค. 2014
- Here are three 5.8GHz FPV helical antennas that were sent to me for review.
The bottom line is that all three antennas provide a very worthwhile gain over the basic omnidirectional skew-planar or clover-leaf antenna and all had quite a wide beam-width.
The standout winner was the antenna from Circular Wireless - but it's also the most expensive, by a significant margin so in terms of value, the other two rate very well also.
No losers in this shootout.
The 7/8 turn helical is from Circular Wireless
www.circular-wireless.com/en
The 5 turn helical was from Simon in the UK who sells them (as bignose13) via the FPVHUB website:
www.fpvhub.com/index.php/topic...
The 3 turn helical was from ryan and can be seen (along with other CNC-made stuff) here:
www.fpvca.com/shop - วิทยาศาสตร์และเทคโนโลยี
Please don't give up Bruce, that would be giving them what they want. I don't see you being the kind of guy that would let them win and we'd all miss your channel if it went.
ATB Malc
RCTV-UK
Bruce, please don't stop the Sense and Avoid work. Its very much needed and will revolutionize the field.
Well I wish someone would tell CAA, MFNZ and the local district council -- all who seem to think that the SAA system is far less important than preserving a particularly unhealthy monopoly in respect to RC model flying at/near airfields.
***** Progress cannot be stopped. I think the answer is to stay under the radar with mini quads for this technology. Testing with mini quads and SAA should go unnoticed.
Chris Horianopoulos
No, still can't fly miniquads at the airfield (where my test gear is located -- not practical to relocate it) so that's no help.
And remember -- CAA bitched and whined about me flying an AXN in a tropical cyclone -- even though: probably every other full-sized light aircraft in the country was grounded due to the weather, I had a radio, I had an observer and I was under the supervision of a "wings" carrying MFNZ member. Their bitch? The wings-holder was standing too far away from me.
There are some (me) who can do no right, and others (everyone else) who can do no wrong -- at least in the eyes of MFNZ and their buddies at CAA.
***** This is ridiculous. Maybe its time to build a company that develops this technology and is situated outside this constraint.
Chris Horianopoulos
Ah... that requires money :-) Unfortunately, with MFNZ working so hard to stop me earning a living from my chosen vocation (promoting and educating the hobby), money is in rather short supply right now.
I don't need money though -- I just need people to get out of my way and stop acting like grumpy old men :D
All the manufacturing stats we read are interesting but your applied tests are BRILLIANT. You're worth more money!
Bruce, please don't stop the videos. Thank you very very much for everyone of them . your time and hard work you have dedicated to them is very much appreciated .
Thank you once again for the most interesting video! Please don't let the locals discourage you too much, you'll always have an appreciative audience here!
I'm new to the hobby and value very much these educational video's for my up coming purchase of a vision + quad copter for videography. FPV seems to be the logical choice for this. The information that you are providing is invaluable to the layman such as myself. I'd much rather hear it from someone that knows what they are talking about over the guy in the field or salesman in a store. 5.8 GHz helical ant 7/8 rap a long with the omni directional ants seem to be the way I want to go now. Thank you for you time in making this and the other videos that you've done. Bruce, please don't stop making them because all you are doing is passing a long information in an understandable manor for all us noobs to understand. A teacher of sorts.
I have to say that I'm look forward to getting more educated through more of your videos. Thanks again. Don
One of your most applicable FPV videos ever Bruce. Thanks,
Great work! I very much like your way of presenting, you seem very enthusiastic and knowledgeful which makes it a joy to watch and learn from you. Don't let grumpy people let you down, keep up the good work and spirit! :)
Love the video Bruce. Really interesting topic. I have learned so much about electronics from your videos. Can't wait to see part 2 and best of luck with everything going on. No matter what happens please keep up the bench videos. They are an extremely interesting and educational look into the details behind rc.
I commend you whole heartedly. Your videos are utterly sublime and you are considered the best at what you do in the entire world. Keep at it. We need you and you have our support.
It's always one of the very first of the Freedoms to get attacked, free flow of information. Don't stop the videos, their some of the best I've seen. Thanks from the States.
Thanks for the info on the helical antennas Bruce. You just steered me in the direction I was not sure about using on my Hex Quad FPV setup.
Great job on the tests and explanations as usual ;)
Bruce thank you so much for the work you do for the hobby. I really hope that the powers that be can get off your back and let you continue your progress in helping the RC community forward with awareness to safety and do it yourself fixes to common problems. You're one of a kind sir and I hope you can continue your passion.
Got to admire your tenacity Bruce!
Interesting topic, thanks for the time you put into these videos.
Forward, ever forward! ;)
Thanks for enlightening us about antennae.
You're an asset to RC hobbyists everywhere.
Please continue to do what you do now, you are one of the great hobbyist out here (internet)
Love the videos/reviews. Thank you for taking the time to make/post the videos. I've learned a lot from the videos and ALWAYS looking forward to the next one. Thanks again...........
Great work as always Bruce.
Please don't stop
Bruce, you are this hobby's Albert Einstein, it's unfortunately with your current situation in New Zealand. Just so you know, you have my deepest respect and support here from Denmark. It would be great if all viewers just donated a small amount for you so you can continue the good work. Best regards Jan Sig, Denmark.
You have inspired me to take a course on electronics. I'm presently looking for a certification course I could take to better understand my new way of life. Your a great teacher and I would be honored to make your acquaintance. Keep the tutorials coming I look forward to them as they poses a vas deal of knowledge, and you make them so easy to comprehend. You are my go to guy when I need clarification on RC. Teacher of the year :-)
Nice work Bruce. Very interesting as usual.
You certainly have rattled some cages over there.
Definitely time for them to start building bridges!
Hey Bruce, I love your videos. Your commitment to the hobbie is very much appreciated! Thank you very much!
Thanks for the comparison. Never having done FPV myself I found the comparison using an actual image quite interesting -- and more useful than the RSSI. Keep going!
Thank you so much for this video, as it is the most informative one i have seen for helical vs clover leaf.
Thanks for doing that experiment Bruce. _Good to know._
Very nicely done Bruce.
Thanks for the video review. Just now researching various RX antenna platforms to maximize my range for FPV with my aerial camera UAV (XK X380).
Congratulations Sir to a well done episode !
Keep Walking......
Thanks for sharing it with us.
nice one bruce i always check in on you before i buy anything please keep up the good work i am sure you can overcome your obstacles and you are doing it for the greater good ie:us many thanks you are very much appreciated all over the world mate
Thanks once again for an informative, engaging and inspirational video. Your teaching style is perfect. I am born and have lived in NZ for 30 years, I see that "respectful fun" and people that try to promote the concept (which can stem education, innovation, entrepreneurship, a different contribution to our economy - and not to mention a happier society) are being taken out of the equation, ever so slowly, one by one through various methods. Commonsense and personal responsibility is a thing of the past. People telling you how to operate (people that have little to no idea themselves) will be a normality soon - if it isn't already. With bureaucrats its not so much about the facts, its all about schmoozing and being schmoozed. You cant apply normal logic to their way of thinking and acting ;) But you already knew that. The power is in the people, always has been and always will be, the people just need to wake up and realise this ;) your wide awake - so keep fighting the good fight!!
Yes, unfortunately there are too many dim-witted folk (usually in the halls of bureaucracy) who believe that safety is a function of the number of rules you can create. I believe that safety is not about rules but about understanding, knowledge, education and respect.
I try to make the hobby safer by educating people and providing them with the levels of knowledtge and understanding they need to ensure that they do not unwittlingly place person or property in jeopardy.
Sadly, the dim-witted folk are usually well-funded and backed by more rules (legislation) that allows them to continue dumbing-down everyone else to their level.
I always love these reviews, even as a total noobie, I recently bought a Bixler2 lots of work on it to make it upto the specs that I want, such as making the easy to take off and fit into a Backpack, together with all the other smaller stuff.
Great video Bruce! Keep up the good work!
I learn so much from this guy please don't go away :(
Thanks Bruce. Some good pointers for my future builds.
keep up the great work your doing educating our future generations.
Another excellent video...keep on trucking Bruce...Rgds...Laurie
Never give up Bruce
To be honest Bruce, you do not need to fly to make one of the best rc youtube channels right on par with flitetest! you are brilliant!
Still sad that you can not fly but your videos are great anyway.
Very interesting. You're good for the hobby, pity people cannot see that.
who in the world would imply otherwise? Bruce has taught me more about foundations than perhaps any other person. I can honestly say, he is probably responsible for almost all of my successes, and if I had known about him sooner, I suspect I would have had far fewer failures.
The almost 10,000 people who've watched this video in the last week would probably say that Bruce is good for the hobby! ;)
Thanks again Bruce. Well done.
Really enjoy your videos.
Thanks.
Well done Bruce. Thank you.
Thanks for your videos. I hope the SS get of your case soon.
Bruce- wondering if that video from when I met you might be up soon:) Really looking forward to it and it would really help out my channel. Thanks!
Excelente video, muy ilustrativo.
keep on keeping on
keep em coming Bruce LOVE ure vids :)
Thanks so much Bruce!
Great video!
Very informative, very enjoyable and very entertaining
I don't get a lot of time to "tinker" much anymore but I love R/C & electronics I really enjoy your build videos as well as your way of explaining it all -But WHY on earth would anyone try and "STOP" what you are doing??? I just don't get it it is a sad thing if you let them achieve that goal but I also understand that's how it go's sometimes Just wanted to say Thanks for all you have taught me and you have my support in what ever direction you choose
give em hell bruce.
I love your videos!
A few people making video's like yours, with the reviews and testing and explaining stuff. BUT none as in depth and explanatory as your vids. Your the best! Top of your game. Leader of the pack.
Have you heard of the ImmersionRC transmitter-Flysight 32 channel monitor issue? Perhaps you could do a vid on this. It seems to me (i'm a noob) that the cheapest way to fix this would be to replace the ImmersionRC transmitter with a different brand. Instead of replacing the expensive monitor. But I don't know really. Many people with this set up having range issues (antenna not the problem), could get a lot of views.
Thanks! Been trough lots of your vids, you brightend so mutch for me i really apreciate, mostly in FPV, Hope u carry on your work for a long time...
And dont let the haters get u down!!!
Karma comes back around some day.
Buck to the binch. Thanks Bruce!
Extremely cool and informative videos with great humor!
In the end of this video you mention trying a lefthand circ pol antenna with a right hand counterpart. But I can't find that video. Can you do that experiment? :D
Dear Bruce The information that you are providing is invaluable to me and I believe for many many others.I had gained most of my knowledge in RC flaying from your in-depth and interesting tutorials. Please keep up with your excellent job !!!! for our worldwide community.I live about 12.000 km (7500 Miles) East to you and steel have good "reception", audio and video, of the materials you are "transmitting" (talking about the FPV Helical antennas discussion).
Thank you so much
I have the CW 5.8 helical and I'm not prepared to say the range I get, but the three kilometre test will be aced by this unit no problems!
Hi Bruce , good vid mate , I have made a 4 turn helical to try on the 1.29 diveristy circuit you made . I have 2 RC 805 and a skew for the other antenna , cheers G W
very informative,thanks for sharing.👍
Did a group ride once where a guy pulled out a McDonalds hamburger from his back pocket and started eating it halfway through. Was pretty ungentlemenly of him not to offer me any. Smelled amazing.
might try these out
Great vid Bruce. Man you are the best. I sure hope they get a change of heart so you can put up more flying vids. Come on guys if you don't have something positive to say how about keeping it to yourself. Bruce produces good content and outdoor vids have challenges. Get over it boss you can always go to another channel with sound quality you can live with.
Maybe you want have a look to the immersionRC rf meter. With it you will be very well able to meassure the receive power.
Cheers.
Has the review for the Hitec Aurora 9x
been published?
Hope you can continue with your invaluable
TH-cam show
You can notice that the signal (voltage) is linear with the number of turn of the helix antenna. We may conclude that the quality and the performance of the three antenna is similar.
Hi Bruce
what about the Immersion RC RF meter it can tell you the VSWR and other details for a moderate price. It can also tell you the mw from vtx's so you can test the power from those 200mw micro tx's.
Great video and hope you get the sense and avoid working.
Hi thanks for the video, did you ever do a video to explain/ demonstrate left hand polarised and right hand polarised antennas?
Looking forward to the second part Bruce! I find this subject very interesting indeed.
I have one of those helical antenna's from Circular Wireless and I've just received my SkyZone goggles (thanks to your review) and will use that antenna in conjunction with IBCrazy's 5 Lobe Mad Mushroom on the Vxt.
I was going to use a antenna tracking system but I will wait to see the results of your "Part 2" to see if it's worth it. Which brings me to a question: If I do use a tacking system can I use a higher gain 9 coil or higher for further range? Is there a limit to turns on these antenna's i.e. can you make a 15 turn 35db with a 12 degree field ?.
Thank you for doing these video's I always learn a lot.
Thanks Mr. Bruce. Very interesting. Has any one thought about making a tracking system for these antennas? I'm sure you could figure it out.
thanks again from Texas.
Hi great video, there is a new 5.8 vTX available by Flysight called the Black Mamba. This vTX supposedly will get you as far as 9km with the stock antenna. 2000 mW
Bruce, please do the followup video on this one. I'm very curious to see how the chinese antenna performs against the others.
Throw your receiving antenna at the focal point of a 600mm satellite dish. Now we have some gain, with a narrow beam width !
Hi! Fantastic work. I wondered why you are using an antennuator on the reciever?
I have been watching your TH-cam presentations and must say that I am learning a lot about this new hobby of mine. I have a need to use a small transmitter in a stationary position and a receiver stationary as well. In order to not interfere with others on the spectrum, I would like to use as little power as possible. Everything is line-of-sight and up to 600 meters at ground level. I would like to use Helical antennas on both ends. My question is, would there be a problem using the "Aomway FPV 5.8g Helical Antenna 11dbi Right Circular Polarization" antenna on both transmitter and receiver? I am concerned with damaging the transmitter mainly. Thanks for all you do and hope to see much more of your work.
Great video Bruce! Have you ever tought about making a DIY antenna tracker?
I loved your DIY diversity controller, and it would be a great sollution for allot of us who dont have the budget to buy one!
What surprises me is how wide the beam is on these helical antennas. Using receiver diversity with a cloverleaf on one receiver and a helical on the other, I may not even need an antenna tracker.
Absolutely.
Hey! I love your videos! Quick question: what gauge is the copper wire used in these ? are they the same?
Bruce , will you ever do a helical antenna build video , or could you tell us what is the correct wire and bottom plate to use for best results ? many thanks Scott .
Very good demo of rhcp helicals.I really like using the 305 receiver(rssi) out to compare the antennas.
Can you also use the (305) receiver for other type antennas in the 5.8ghz band?
Great stuff Bruce. I really enjoy your videos.
I'm new to the sport as you know... So please may I ask some daft questions?
What does the 2.4gHz antenna do? Is this for the mechanical controls? Are there better options than the standard black finger shaped antenna that came with my Hubsan X4 H109s without using an amplifier?
Amusing stroke of bad luck. My Hubsan arrived yesterday. I put the batteries on charge. I oiled the motors. Now a 70mph gale has blown in and looks set to stay for the next four days. Bum Bum Bum!!!
How do I decide on LHCP or RHCP helecals?
Also how can I extended my Controller range 2.4ghz range, same helecals in 2.4ghz?
Did you ever test the cheap antenna?
Great video. I recently lost a model and am researching how to avoid this in the future. I bet this would be right up your alley! Thinking of going the beacon route. Any advice ?
I agree give me hell ......... What yr doing helps a lot of people........ Even the ones who don't fly Rc FPV it's al EDUCATIONAL in my books that works 👍
Any chance that for the next video you could remove the protective film off your multimeter screen so we can get a better picture?
Hello Bruce, a little late I know, but the HobbyKing video says that the Circular Wireless antenna includes an SMA to RP-SMA adapter in the box, is that true? Love all your videos man keep up the good work!
hey bruce. from what i have seen over the past time you are really brilliant at electronics... why dont you convert such a sun tracker for solar cells into one using a high gain antenna. then you'd had all the benefits. shouldnt be a problem for you.
Which receiver points the wires must be connected to measure the multimeter ? We imagine the boscam 200mw model 5805 receiver for example ...
Great video. What kind of antenna did you have on the TX while doing this review? Cloverleaf I take it?
Hi Bruce,
How about a video about:
- Lost Model Tracker (Locator - Finder)
- Transponder chip (Like in car keys)
Bruce, changing channels will also change the SWR. what i dont like about the antenna manufacturers is they never provide the SWR for the optimal channel so its hard to match antennas. If you ever do this again, can you switch the channel too
thankyou sooo much
Sorry to hear "they" are still trying to shut you down. I really find your videos good and very use full.
Keep up your mood Bruce and stop if doing the videos is killing you, Don't let them stop the SENCEandAVIOD. If youcan make it cheap, and fairly light You might get it into every full size glider, and save someone's life.
sadly I haven't got the spare money to help you out, ever $ my daughter as of now, no job and all.
In regards to what Antenna to use, How about trying the TBS patch that comes with the TBS 5.8Ghz Module for the FatShark Dominators?? Would be very interested in seeing your results.
Good video. Did you ever get around doing the 3km range test? If so, can you post a link to the video? I looked around and didn't find it. TIA.
Nicely presented vid, you've got to get the flying situation sorted out! I've taken a bit of an interest in your history Bruce, although youtube only let's me go back so far.. Have you decided against the video you were going to post regarding your situation?
Well I'd rather that people started using some commonsense, courtesy and pragmatism in resolving the situation that currently exists, so I've held off embarrassing "the powers that be" in the hope that they'll come to their senses.
However, it's looking increasingly as if that's just not going to happen -- and my patience is growing short.
I'd rather that everyone came to a resolution that not only solved problems but allowed us to all walk away feeling that something had been gained, not lost.
A forlorn hope? Perhaps.
***** Maybe you should just leave it - you know what George Bernard Shaw said about wrestling with pigs:
"I learned long ago, never to wrestle with a pig. You get dirty, and besides, the pig likes it."
Would also like a comparison of the various omni antennas as there are some dodgy cheap antennas out there.
Did you see this from the nampilot who seems to be an antenna guru:
diydrones.com/profiles/blogs/antenna-feedpoint-matching-baluns-turnstiles-and-why-homegrown
Can you check the antenna voltage using a tester ???
Hey Bruce, on a side note, have you ever thought about reviewing the Boscam Thunderbolt TX? Was wondering if it was worth the extra cost over their new 600mw version. Thanks!
I second that review
Nice shootout video Bruce.
I'll try to get my local rf expert friend to build you a mixer+LO for your 3Ghz spectrum analyzer... This way.. you can play at high Ghz....
I was thinking of doing that myself -- and perhaps I will -- but I wanted to get this vid out because I know lots of folk have been waiting for it.
*****
Sat LNB's are a good source of parts.....
I have just sent you a TXT offering you a Sharp Ku-LNBF model BS1D1AQ412A free for parts if it is of any use? L.O.:10.75GHz 11.7~12.75/12.25~12.75GHz 950~2000/1500~2000MHz. Brand new, never used.
If the FPV goggles has only one antenna input, could you attach both a clover-leaf and a helical and have some electronics choose the best signal?