Syma X5C Mods - Range Extender Fix - Without Soldering Antenna Length Hack
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 29 ก.ย. 2024
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This Syma X5C TH-cam video shows how I extended the range and flight distance my Syma drone will fly before losing signal. I wanted to see if I could do it with no solder and it works great.
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CAUTION! Perform this mod at your own risk, doing so WILL void the product warranty.
ATTENTION UPDATE! Carefully use a hair dryer or a match to heat up the insulation on the antenna wire before stripping it. Otherwise you may crack the solder joints on the circuit board which may prevent your transmitter from binding with the drone.
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![SYMA X5C Quadcopter Drone RANGE MOD - Step by Step - [Works For Any RC]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/g1GblSfwlog/mqdefault.jpg)
![SYMA X5C Quadcopter Drone RANGE MOD - Step by Step - [Works For Any RC]](/img/tr.png)
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This is a BOGUS method, and I DON"T recommend anyone do this as shown. What he has done is change the TX antenna from 1/4 wavelength to a full wavelength (at 2.4ghz frequency). The problem is, the Full wavelength antenna DOES NOT exhibit the correct impedance to the RF output device. Because of this mismatch, 2 things can happen. The RF output device will NOT put out the proper amount of RF, and some will be reflected back at it, due to the mismatched impedance. The 2nd scenario is that this mismatch will cause the RF output device to heat up and FAIL. If you want to attempt this "hack" as shown, DO NOT make the antenna extension 12.5cm long. Rather, make it 9.5cm long. (a 1/4 wavelength antenna at 2.4ghz is = to 31.5 mm or 3.15cm) It is also advisable to solder the connection, rather than just wrapping it, as the oxidation between 2 dissimilar metals will eventually cause a poor connection and degradation of signal output. Finally, if RANGE is what you want, simply buy a Syma X8C TX for about $14 online at many of the China Retailers. Also, in the X5C quad itself, raise the 1/4 wavelength wire antenna up VERTICAL, and make a small hole in the top of the quad shell, letting the antenna protrude out the top. Using this method (X8 TX & vertical quad antenna), you will have range to 300+m .. well in excess of your visual ability to see the X5C. My qualifications for this information are that I'm a retired Senior Electronic Technician, and also hold the highest class Amateur Radio (ham radio) Operator's License. I've been working with RF for 50+ years. I hope this will help some who view this video from possibly making a mistake.
Thanks for the tips Bill.
I first tried the 12.5 cm length and it worked great. I did shorten it based on your recommendation and was able to fly it at a comfortable distance.
Bill Somrak thank you for great tip bill. and great step by step video to Robert
"Thanks for your time! And mine.
Bill Somrak I think you mean to say to add an additional 9.5cm to the existing antenna to create a final overall length of 12.5cm, not a final overall of 9.5cm? A full 2.4GHz wave in a vacuum is 12.49cm.
Orienting both vertically to the earth will definitely give the largest "cost-free" range increase, and impedance is absolutely important, as Bill stated.
Hi, does it improve the FPV wifi signal for x5sw models by any chance? Just afraid losing sight of the drone and have no idea where it is.
Can i attach a 5.8ghz circular polarised antenna to it? Will it work?
I'm not sure if that will work. If you try it let me know if it works or not. Thanks.
Robert A. Edinger of i use a rg316 coaxial cable instead of 18 gauge copper wire, what should i expect? Will it work better, poor or same?
That,or you could simply get a Wi-Fi repeater with a high gain antenna already in it. True or no?
yeah I suppose you could do that too.
Will the work with all syma 2.4ghz controllers? I have syma x56w. And can i somehow increase the battery capacity?
not sure
does it matter what type of wire
Pretty much any type of wire will do.
Forgive me if this question has been answered, but do you think this will work with the Syma x8g model?
I have a x8g also and the range of that seems fine for me, so I haven't had the transmitter apart.
Are you getting over a 100 meters? I think that's they're saying the max distance is. I haven't received mine yet.
It flies far enough that I am not able to see it to control it.
Tried the mod on my X5SW and ended up bricking the Tx. Soldered the extension to it and it may have conducted too much heat to the components on the antenna pcb and fried them, just a guess. The "On" light illuminates but no readout on the LCD screen and won't bind. Ordered another Tx...
That sucks. Thanks for the heads up.
Robert A. Edinger I'd like to try it again and not solder to test it then solder closer to the tip of existing antenna with an alligator clip to act as a heatsink in between.
Good luck. Let me know it goes.
Also be very careful when stripping the insulation from the transmitter antenna because it is easy to crack the solder joints on the circuit board.
Robert A. Edinger I used wire strippers a quarter inch at a time because the insulation didn't want to let go. I then tried to totally replace the antenna without success. I'll check that the antenna PCB solder joints to the main board are good. Thanks for the suggestion.
what type of Wire should I use
Almost any wire
ola amigo mais um escrito no canal video curto e objetivo obrigaduuuu - brasil - bela e santa catarina - iTAJAI
Thanks.
Works great I can now fly close to 350meters without interference it was easy and it made my day
Cool! I'm glad the video helped.
Does it help to extend the Antenna also on the drone its self. And can speaker wire work?
Joshua Felty u can just use any wire u want
Izra Imran Thank you. :)
Help it just beeps long
I once lost my old rc car's antenna and replaced it with a wire and than the car went left/right + backward but not forward anymore... I have to test different antenna lengths, and it might run in both directions again!
I hope it works for you. Let me know.
I cut off 5 centimeters from the antenna wire on the transmitter, but the car didn't worked forward. The car is working well even without the antenna. It is an older 27MHz rc car.
One wonders what have you been smoking lol!
WOW!!! excellent job... to the point, perfect execution of an awesome hack!!!!
thank you so much!!!!!!!
Thanks Eddie, I'm glad I could help.
your mod works great! i tested at 200m and signal is rock solid, i am sure it can go beyond 200m!
Awesome! I'm glad it worked for you.
Jacks Videos Wow! !!! That's Awesome !!! Congratulations 👍👍
Robert A. Edinger, thanks for this Very Helpful Video ! I tried this once, but it hadn't occurred to me to Drill/cut through the Fake antenna! I just Soldered 2 wires together, and tucked it inside throughout (if you will) ! Now I see that there is no need for Soldering! Can't wait to try this again, the way that you Demonstrated it ! I don't have a Ruler in Centimeters though ! I suppose I can just go Find one, lol, Thanks again 👍👍
Ps "Liked and Subscribed"
Jacks Videos Any Improvement is Good for Me 😊 👍
I used 18 gauge wire and shrink tubing, with an imperial length of 4.29". I also bent the wire in a 90 as they say to do with antennas...Triple the range. Thanks.
I'm glad it worked. Thanks for the comment.
Jeez, fake antenna, fake antenna, fake antenna. Calm Down
Hamadan Mahmood, you are totally right. I should have said "injection molded ABS plastic simulated antenna insert." Thanks for pointing that out. As for being calm, well... that is a subject for an entirely different video. Keep on watching.
can we adjust an rc car antena in it or what would happen if it is not of 12.5 but 6cm
6cm may work fine for an rc car.
First great video! Yes some of the info on this video is wrong such as wire length. but other than that it is what it is a solderless hack. The guy who wrote the book in the comments is right in every way but this isn't a professional quad, it's a toy. So if you don't feel like soldering this will work great. if you want to do it the correct way read Bill or Bob's not sure of his name but it's a huge comment about him being a radio tech.
I'm not sure if your comment was meant to be a compliment or an insult. Either way, thanks. I'm glad I could help.
nice video mate. i might give it a go.
Thanks and good luck.
Great video. Process very clearly described. Ill have a go at that. Thanks
Thank you so much.
is it okay if i cut not exactly twelve and one half centimeters? (like 12cm or 13cm)
It will still work but maybe not as well.
Just tested the mod. Seems like I pretty much tripled the range. A little too windy to actually fly today, but I was able to start and stop the motors for a pretty good distance.
Cool! I'm glad it worked out for you. Let me know how the first flight goes and thanks for the comment.
Hi sir!you test it? 100% Working?or..😀😀
yes it works great. there is a link in the description of the flight after the mod.
Mi like al canal y mi sub, me encanta ese drone, le he hecho de todo y aún lo tengo. Un saludo desde España 🇪🇸. edu bermudez
Muchas gracias por el comentario y el sub. Este dron está definitivamente bien hecho y puede soportar muchos choques.
How did you get 12.5 cm number?
12.5 cm is the full wavelength for 2.5 GHz.
Thanks bro im about to try it
I hope it works out for. Good luck.
I want to try this on a Promark Drone transmitter. Will this work on any 2.4 GHZ transmitter? Does it really help, were you able to see an improvement?
I am not familiar with that particular model but since it is 2.4 ghz, it just may help.
im just wondering, why Exactly 12 1/2???
12.5 mm because that is the full wave length at 2.4 ghz.
as bill said (make it 9.5cm long)
Sure
Amazing video. It seems that you are replying to everyone's comments. that's amazing! keep up the good work making videos on youtube and god bless
Thank you so much Matthew!
Robert, thanks for posting this! I recently got a Phantom 3 so I decided to look into modding my XC5 to see what all I could do with it. I had the spare parts for your mod so I put it together this morning and WOW! The added range is scary for such a small/light drone! Before I could barely get it 100' above my house before it'd start losing connection. If it wasn't so windy out I easily could have gone up twice that height today! You're the man!
Awesome! I'm glad it worked out for you.
Hi, can i do this with solid copper wire? how big would it have to be and what is better the wire you use or the solid copper wire.
I have 0.2cm wire. Also would it improve the signal if i make like a circle or biconical shape in the outer point of the cable? thanks in advance
solid wire should work fine but the length still has to be 12.5 cm. As for the shape, I don't know. Try it out and let me know. Thanks
Thanks, also is there anything i can do in a drone to help the range?
@@razstec I've not tried anything inside the drone to increases range. I suppose it's possible to lengthen the receiver antenna. But I'm not sure if that will help or not. If you try it let me know. Thanks
Can I use the wire from the exact same controller and add it to that?
Yes, that will work just fine.
18 gauge (1mm thick) hook-up wire, got it. Does type of metal matter much? Aluminum, copper, stainless steel etc..
The type of wire doesn't really matter, unless you intend to solder it. Aluminum and stainless steel can be difficult to solder.
@@roberta.edinger9405 Thank you! Will try solid copper tomorrow morning.
Let me know how it goes. Good luck.
I took a piece of wire that a Christmas ornament hangs on and clipped the insulation off the little nub of an antenna with some nail Clippers. I twisted the wires together a little and put it back together with wire hanging out. Double the range in 10 min.
cool, that's a great idea. Thanks for the information.
@@roberta.edinger9405 it worked pretty well but came loose so I soldered a 2.5 cm wire onto the antenna wire without even removing the board or anything and drilled the antenna nub for it to stick out. Works great.
Cool! I'm glad that worked for you.
i just tried this with a solid copper wire, it should have same effect if done properly right? wont be able to try it out for a few more hours
Should work just fine. Good luck.
Does this technique also work by modifying the antenna of the quadcopter? good video.
I haven't tried it but it might help. Let me know how it works if you try it. Thanks.
thanks for the video.
but it did not work
I am sorry to hear that it did not work. It very easy to crack the solder joints where the antenna circuit board solders on to the main board. However, those joints can be easily repaired but unfortunately you will need a soldering iron to do that. Good luck.
Hey robert, grt work. U got 1sub :). Jst wanted to ask u. Can i do the same thing with the quad? If yes then what should be the length of the antenna?
lakshya LG same doubt
Same doubt
Thanks for the comment. I've never tired it on the quad it's self. If you try it, let me know how it goes.
The stock antenna is what kind of wire? Is it available in the market?
18 to 22 gauge stranded hookup or automotive type wire.
Robert A. Edinger thanks
Myself, i would have soldered those wires, why skip it?
LogansPortPilot RP you are totally right. Soldering would be better. But I'm sure you would agree that many people either don't have soldering equipment or don't know how to solder. This video is intended to help them perform this mod. Thanks for the comment and the suggestion. If you have any other suggestions, please feel free to post them.
?????? !!!!!!!! ??????? !!!!!!!!!! I've to agree with Bill's comment below..... I modded my kid's X8HW but soldered coaxial cables and proper antennas on both transmitter and the drone RF modules.
Good for you.
What type of wire do u add
just about any stranded wire will work
Do you think this will work on the X5SW? as well
It should work, at least for the controller.
Hey dude i have a rip off version of this along with the official syma x8hg, anyway the controller for the ripoff ( x5c-1 ) died without warning would be possible to use the official syma ( x5c-1 ) controller with the ripoff version since it is the same frequency and all the buttons do the same thing?
I think it might work. Let me know how it works out.
G reat price here: bit.ly/2sFi2zo
Cheers1!
th-cam.com/video/ztHoItvRcMg/w-d-xo.html
what wire did you use?
I believe it was 18 or 20 gauge stranded automotive wire.
Great video!! Can a guy change the wave length to 5.8ghz by cutting the TX/RX antenna to 5.17cm?
That is a good question, but sadly it doesn't work that way. Thanks.
Hi Robert.....Thanks for the informative videos... I was curious... It seems like the X5 and several other quads have VERY SIMILAR circuitry in the transmitter... I own the WL Toys STRIKER-X HD model... I am thinking that your mod might work for me. Do you happen to have first hand knowledge or a line on someone who might??
I'm sure they use the same basic circuitry for many of their products. If your transmitter antenna is as short as the one depicted in the video, this mod should make a definite difference in it's range.
I tryed it and it didn't work at all. Could the probolem be that I am using doorbell wire which is one big pice of copper vs twisted strands? Also, if you are getting better range, is there lag?
I would think the door bell wire should work just fine. I am definitely getting better range with no lag. I wonder if there may be some radio interference in your area? Of course I don't think the transmitter would bind with the drone if that were the case. Sorry, I wish I could help.
Proof is in the pudding!
Here's my kid's drone after the mod (sorry for the shaky flight, was windy) - th-cam.com/video/gOtbnPGLZgE/w-d-xo.html
Cool, I'm glad it worked! Thanks for the video.
where did you buy that antenna
It was just a piece of scrap wire I had. 18 to 20 gauge stranded automotive wire will work just fine. You can also buy it on amazon.
which will work the best ?
1.earphone cable
2. micro-usb charging cable
3. sata data cables (connecting hard drives)
Which ever one has the most copper wire.
Hi, just wondering if this mod will help my problem of the video from freezing on my x5sw. Getting plenty of range out of the drone but its just the freezing/lag of the video i have recorded thats the problem.
Since I only have the X5C I can't say for sure if this mod will help your video. Hopefully another viewer can comment and help you with the answer.
Does this work with other drones remotes which have the same antenna design?
I have drone mt300 , and it's transmitter is 2.4ghz, it have range of 120 meters , I watched your video, can this mode increase it's range more than 120 meters, and the second thing that is it necessary to match the copper wire gauge with the antenna in transmitter? , coz I don't have any device to measure gauge... I want to do this but at the same time i'm afraid that a slight mistake could ruin my drone forever.. Kindly answer my questions, thank u
Yes it just may work. Just about any will work.
I have the Tarantula X6 so would this technique work too?
Thanks. That is a good question, however I don't have that model so it is hard for me to say.
Solder much? HaHa! That's one of the most ghetto antenna mods I've witnessed. It's one thing to use electrical tape, like I did when I was a kid, it's a whole other mess if you're not even gonna use it right. I personally would not recommend any methods of anything show in this video. I figured if you weren't going to solder, you'd at the very least use a crimped connection.
Not everybody knows how to solder or even has access to a soldering iron or a crimping tool. this video is for those people. But thanks for the criticism.
THX for the Video. I have the Zoopa q420 and maybe i give this mod a try. i have a question. is it possible to do this mod at the drones antenna to? modify both :)
Thanks for the comments. The most important antenna is the transmitter however modding the receiver antenna "also" might have a slight benefit. But if you can't get a good signal from the transmitter, a bigger receiver antenna won't do much good. Hope this helps.
Can you do this with foil?
Worth a try, let me know.
great video. I'm going to try this today. I have a few questions if you don't mind... you mentioned 12.5cm being the full wavelength for 2.4ghz. Is that best though? How can I learn more about this? Also, I found an antenna from a linksys router. Why would that wire work better than traditional speaker wire/etc? Just trying to learn
Mark, Sorry I'm not an electrician, I'm just a handyman. I wish I could help you more. Hopefully another viewer will be able to answer your questions. thanks for watching and thanks for the comments. Good luck.
Thanks, just got one of these, will do that. Why should it preferably be 12.5 cm and how did you know that?
because 12.5 cm complements the wavelength that 2.4GHz
Would it work with visuo xs809hw?
I really don't know because I don't have that model. Sorry.
How much of a difference could you tell from doing this? Any before and after distance measurements?
It now flies farther than I am able to see it clearly.
Can I use the copper wire of a earphone?
It should work.
i just tried this with a solid copper wire, it should have same effect if done properly right? wont be able to try it out for a few more hours
I hope everything went well.
Way cool! But does this work on a syma x5sw? It has the same controller. I want to try this really bad because i only get like 50 meters :D
Yes it should be exactly the same for the Syma x5sw.
Cut 12.5 ? 12.8, ? 13?
12.5 cm
Robert A. Edinger
Do you know of a link that explains the reasoning behind that? And if a longer length is possible?
I read somewhere the 12.5cm is the right length, but unfortunately I don't remember where I saw it. Sorry.
will it work with syma x13 Storm ? It has not an antenna outside on the controller ?
I can't say for sure, but it should work being that it is also 2.4 ghz. Please let me know if you try it.
I will try it immediately when the drone arrives. I purchased it but I'm facing some cargo issues...Hope it will arrive soon...
Cool! good luck.
Robert A. Edinger I did the upgrade man but in my case I take out the drones antenna too and it's give me some more range I don't know how but it works very well! Thanks for the helpful info bro!
Awesome!
Can i do the same thing with the quadcopter? If yes then what would be the length of the antenna?
no need
Done the mod but ran out of time to test. Will try in the morning. Thanks for the video. Hope it works for me!
Good luck!
Hi Robert, does the finished mod require the new wire antenna to be straight up or can I hide it inside the controller handle ? fantastic clear video well done
Some have hidden the wire with satisfactory results. Thanks for the comment.
Very good you understand radio waves.
maybe kickout 2.4ghz frequency if do this.
I don't understand, But thanks for the comment.
Could the same be done on the quadcopter, or is it a waste of time?
Even though I never have, others have done the receiver as well with good results.
"Maysure from that point."
nice video man!
Thanks!!!
Robert A. Edinger your welcome!
Can you fold it so it won't be sticking out? Can it be shorter than 12.5? Can I use any wire such as from a phone charger?
I wouldn't fold the wire however, some have run the wire up thru the groove in the handle. It does need to be 12.5cm for best effectiveness. And yes, phone charger wire just might work. Let me know. Thanks.
Robert A. Edinger Thanks so much I appreciate it.
Will this work for my syma x5sw? And where can I get that type of wire
It may work on the syma x5sw, almost any type of wire will work.
which one is better syma x5c or syma x5hw????
sorry, but I'm not familiar with the x5hw.
Hi Robert,
Great video. I am thinking to get one of the X5C-1.
Would it work on it as well?
Regards.
Yes, it should work just fine on the X5C-1.
Thank you Robert, I've got one that I can use FPV X5SW. As the controllers are the same, I think it should work with this one aswell.
Cool!
what type of wire did you use to twist with the original antenna?
I just tried to keep it about the same gauge stranded wire, 16 to 20 gauge should work just fine.
Do those low range X5/X5C quadcopters that need range mod have some old revisions of the boards? I am getting 250+ m range with Syma X5 (not X5C) + stock TX without any modifications (the board is revision 6). I bought that X5 + TX + battery + 5-in-1 cable + spare parts for $28 + free shipping.
Yes, it is very possible the newer models might have more range. But I just don't know. Thanks for the info.
I have in the meantime opened the drone and the remote and I did some research. I believe your remote is with a green LED and the new one is with a blue one. The remote for v6 boards uses Beken 2461 transceiver (NRF24L01+ clone) and different communication protocol. BTW, you can use *symarx* code, AVR microcontroller and NRF24L01+ for receiving data from Syma remote so you can use it to control the devices around the house. You can use analog axes or trim values to control the position of servo motors or to send some analog data so you can use thrust or trim commands to control airfow, fan speed, light level, target temperature etc.
COOL! THANKS!
Lol, this is an awesome mod! I'ma do it! 12.5mm from the board?!
Yes, 12.5mm from the board. Thanks.
i would like to try this on my x8hw...do u think it works?
I believe it will work. It's worth a try. Please let us know how it works out. Thanks.
Unconscious barbarian. I'm counting at least one antenna size for that frequency, not adding a piece of wire.
Unconscious barbarian? You are totally wrong. I am completely aware of my barbarism.
@@roberta.edinger9405 I personally consider myself a conscious barbarian, although not if I faint or go into a coma. Great video Robert.
Thank you my barbarian brother.
@@roberta.edinger9405 wha'ts the wire you're using
You only used coper wire?
Yes.
Robert A. Edinger cool. I got a bunch of those laying in the garage.
Can I use 16 AWG loud speaker cable?
Will work fine.
I used this on my transmitter and it works great now! Thanks!
Cool! I'm glad I could help
Nice video. You say that the wire must be 12.5 cm long, on a comment it is said that it must be 9.5 cm long. How long must it be? The difference of 3.5 is so much.
I did 12.5 cm
I want to do this Antenna mod on a 2.4g wireless camera, any idea as to what length the wire should be? The camera antenna wire is only 1" long now. Any help would be great. It's going in a R.C. glider.
12.5 cm should work for your camera as well.
If a use a rg316 coaxial cable instead of copper wire, what result should i expect as compared to the copper wire? Will the range increase, decrease or remain same than copper wire? .
decrease
If 12.5cm is the correct antenna length for 2.5G then why on earth have Syma used such a short wire? there must be some reason why they haven't done this themselves.
12,5 cm is full wavelength, you can go with 1/2 or 1/4 (which is a standard in all cheap quads)
don't know
Thank you for sharing God bless you
Thank you so much.
will it work on other syma controllers?.😊
It might.
Can the total length be 6.25cm ?
It is worth a try, but a full wave length at 2.4 ghz is 12.5cm Please let me know if you try 6.25 and thanks for watching.
can it work with the.x8w it has 2 antennas
I can't say because I don't have the X8W. I'm sure it'll work just fine on the transmitter antenna, but I'm not sure about the camera antenna. That could be on a different frequency. Thanks for the comment and good luck.
that's cool. Do I need to extend the antenna in my quad too? or does it work by just doing the controller ?
Thanks. I just modded the controller and it made a definite difference.
thanks! I just did my controller this morning but I haven't tested the distance
Never mind its broken I guess if toucan afford it don't do this took me 3 years to be able to buy a copter oh well just wanted to warn you
sorry dude
Any reason it has to be exactly 12.5 cm ?? .... and what about the antenna on the X5 , could we do something with that ?
12.5 cm is a full wavelength and it might also work on a X5..