Basic Guide to Solo Antennas (Stock, Alfa, FPVLR)

3drHighMileFlyer · Jan 27, 2017

dmyhill said:
I do not see a discussion here of parabolic reflectors (such as those so popular with DJI products). Are they not applicable to the type of system on Solo?

Hey. You can use them on the solo. Are they going to be the cleanest attachment? No. But for the short time I was waiting for my Alfa antennas they worked for what I was trying to do. The stock antennas on our solo remote when you aim them a certain way and then place those reflectors on them they droop down and you have to be constantly re-adjusting them. Not fun so that's why I got the better antenna.

jcar · Jan 29, 2017

I ordered these 5 dbi antennas 2.4GHz 5dBi Wireless Wifi Antenna Booster WLAN RP-SMA

jcar · Jan 29, 2017

nbrege said:
Are there any aftermarket omni antennas that will work with the Solo controller & outperform the stock antennas?
How about these?

I am going to try these out 2.4GHz 5dBi Wireless Wifi Antenna Booster WLAN RP-SMA

Pedals2Paddles · Jan 29, 2017

jcar said:
I ordered these 5 dbi antennas 2.4GHz 5dBi Wireless Wifi Antenna Booster WLAN RP-SMA

Junk. Those will not improve anything even if they are a quality product. And given the crap manufacturing, they might make it worse.

jcar · Jan 29, 2017

Ok I will order the flat plates. I wonder why IB crazy never designed a version for the Solo.

3drHighMileFlyer · Jan 30, 2017

Pedals2Paddles said:
Junk. Those will not improve anything even if they are a quality product. And given the crap manufacturing, they might make it worse.

I agree, no use. Long range will not do anything for the controller. You gotta get the Alfa panel ones. I have solid four bars past 2,000 feet.

jcar · Jan 30, 2017

I just ordered the panel Alfa

3drHighMileFlyer · Jan 30, 2017

jcar said:
I just ordered the panel Alfa

Sounds good, you won't be disappointed with them. If you have the regular carrying case that came with the drone you have to unscrew them so they the controller fits perfectly in the box. And place the antennas somewhere else.

dmyhill · Jan 31, 2017

3drHighMileFlyer said:
I agree, past 2,300 feet or so I can't see the drone if there's trees or building near me. I agree definitely fly in your line of site.
I was running into problems where I would loose connection roughly 900ft to 1,400 depending on the day. All i wanted was a solid connection past 900ft and up to 2,500 feet depending where I fly and can have a visual line of sight at all times. Less then 900 feet when the drone returns to home is way to short with stock antennas and a few barrieiers such as tress and other wifi interference

And, it is always nice to have a margin of error. If I am limiting myself to 1000 feet, having 2000 feet of useful range is a nice security blanket!

Northeastern_Solo · Feb 6, 2017

Hey guys, I ordered rexuavs circular polarized antenna which is a clone of the fvplr antenna. I have to say I was pleased coupled with the wifi card upgrade. In my neighborhood I was able to hit 2000' feet before a dropped signal and RTL. My area is extremely wifi congested at least 10-15 access points near me alone bleeding on all channels. Also was flying above trees so didn't have a 'clear' line of sight to the UAV.

Jameson · Feb 12, 2017

I'm flying usually next to my house, so wanted to check what is the interference with surround WIFIs.
I should probably go with the Alfa and since it is not a omni, I assume I should be fine.

Pedals2Paddles · Feb 12, 2017

Are you losing connection with the stock antennas? Are you trying to fly further away than the stock antennas can cover? If no, than you don't need to buy anything.

Harrel · Feb 12, 2017

I just flew 4600 feet with stock antenna the only reason not further was fear of hitting freeway overpass over one of our levees here in sacramento. Going to try for a mile later this evening with the wife on the other end of the mile. Trying to post a pic i took of my controller display here cant figure out how.

Ethan Endres · Feb 13, 2017

how come nobody ever has anything to say about the DLSRPros Horizon range Extender?

Harrel · Feb 13, 2017

Glad you brought that up, ive never heard of them. Gonna go research now.

FamilyFlyGuy · Feb 16, 2017

(from post) "Alfa Antennas"

Well it appears Amazon is out of them. Probably from all the new Solo owners gobbling them up. I just found this googling for other sources.
Antenna 2.4GHz 7dBi Directional Panel w/ RP-SMA. Signal Booster

#26 Pedals2Paddles, Jan 17, 2017

Thanks P2P, Just ordered another set from here this morning...already shipped and cheap!

andrew.baker.142 · Feb 17, 2017

Anyone try one of these 8" 2.4 GHz 11 dBi Dual Spatial Diversity/MIMO/802.11n Antenna - 3ft RP-SMA Plug Connector antennas?

Readymaderc also has them (but with SMA connectors). 2.4 GHz 11 dBi Dual Diversity Antenna - 3ft SMA Male Connector

Although not as sexy as some of the antennas sold for Solo, and probably difficult to use without a controller mount, the price seems good for a quality 11 dBi antenna

David Boulanger · Feb 18, 2017

andrew.baker.142 said:
Anyone try one of these 8" 2.4 GHz 11 dBi Dual Spatial Diversity/MIMO/802.11n Antenna - 3ft RP-SMA Plug Connector antennas?

Readymaderc also has them (but with SMA connectors). 2.4 GHz 11 dBi Dual Diversity Antenna - 3ft SMA Male Connector

Although not as sexy as some of the antennas sold for Solo, and probably difficult to use without a controller mount, the price seems good for a quality 11 dBi antenna

I've bought a few antennas from L-Com over the years. I have looked at this one and thought about trying it out on an antenna tracker.

Bigd5555 · Feb 19, 2017

First flight with Alfa antennas. My range went from aprox 1850 per flight to 3800 feet. I was trying to reach 4000 but lost connection. It was a clear day with no obstructions.

andrew.baker.142 · Feb 22, 2017

jcar said:
Ok I will order the flat plates. I wonder why IB crazy never designed a version for the Solo.

I asked Alex that very same question. You can read the exchange here:
Alex, Ever Consider Developing an Antenna Set for the 3DR Solo?

His final response was:
"In general just using 2X Crosshairs is a HUGE boost... even with adapters. Loss is only ~ 0.2db, so I wouldn't sweat the loss.

However, if you can replace the antennas on the bird, the range jump is incredible. In fact, you will get more range from 4 cloverleaf antennas (2 TX, 2 RX), than using the stock antennas on the bird and Crosshairs on the ground. You want the rotation directions to be all the same.

-Alex"