Question about range extenders

[CCCHA]

I have a question about the popular folding range extenders people are using with their Sparks. I noticed the brass concave mirrors are really quite dull. Would we see any benefit if the brass were polished to a mirror finish. It just seems to me that a shinier surface would reflect signals/lights better. Therefore extending the range even further.

 

[DesertWindAero]

I'm not an RF guy but I imagine that the level of shine is not of any consequence.

 

[Dronason]

Marketing stuff. If it is reasonably flat, it will be fine enough.

 

[Dronason]

But IMO they are really improving the connection.
Some are not that well made on plastic side where they don't fit nicely the antenna. Some are well fitting. The antenna are not exactly at same position regarding distance from front of RC. One I have was nice and the other one I had to extra cut some space so it is really parrllel to one of the antenna, after it is a little loose.

 

[Edslittleworld]

Worthless. I have seen ranges over 10,000' in ideal conditions WITHOUT any kind of extender/reflector.

 

[Buddy411]

I know people swear by them, but they haven't done anything for me on any DJI product. I do think they make you more conscious of keeping the antenna pointed at the AC, so that may be something.

 

[GDN21]

I'm RF specialist (Fighter Radar engineer) i ordered one. Bright or not is not the goal, should be in metal to reflect the RF waves. Can make the antennas more directive...will test. The best things to do is to use 2,4 GHz instead of 5,8 GHz. The lower the frequency is the longer it goes.

 

[Texas Gonzo]

I'm looking into adding sma connectors and a huge patch or yagi antenna on a tripod with coax running back to my controller. I've seen some freakishly long range stuff pulled off using a similar system. They're not that big a deal to setup.

Regarding the parabolic reflectors, shiny doesn't make any difference as GDN21 previously stated... as long as its smooth and metal. Even good ol tinfoil on cereal box cardboard accomplishes the same goal. Its all about having a proper parabola, and the antenna sitting at the focal point. I like mine, it definitely made my feed and control more stable at shorter ranges, and gets me out to 5000-7000 ft with a solid fpv display using an OTG cable

 

[GDN21]

Yes flat antenna with SMA connector and even with a amplifier of some dB will really increase range. First will be the possibility to change location for UE users...limitation to 0,25W transmission power

 

[Scobo]

I tried making my own with a 3D printer and aluminium foil but they made no difference whatsoever.
Here's the file if anyone wants to give it a go ..... Dji Spark antenna parabola by Arcicorsa

 

[GDN21]

Should be interesting to open the spark to put a mushroom antenna omnidirectional.
On home made drone normally video use 5,8 GHz and remote 2,7 GHz. Don't know if Dji use 2 specific antennas or only one and where are they located. To obtain better range the antenna should be outside the drone

 

[Texas Gonzo]

Yes flat antenna with SMA connector and even with a amplifier of some dB will really increase range. First will be the possibility to change location for UE users...limitation to 0,25W transmission power

Well, if all the whack-a-doodles are actually right, an impending pole-shift may very well take care of that issue for yall!

Ya, I'd hate to be hit with that limitation, believe me, even in fcc land, things ain't all that great necessarily. I can't imagine trying to get by on one nut...