Drones have revolutionized the way we capture aerial footage, perform various tasks or just for FPV fun. However, the range of your drone is limited by its antenna.
Using a low-quality antenna can result in a weak signal, which can cause your drone to lose control or crash, especially during long-range flights. In extreme situations poorly tuned antennas can “burn” your VTX.
Therefore, it is essential to use a good quality antenna to ensure the safety and stability of your drone. High-quality antennas are designed to provide a stronger and more stable signal, allowing your drone to fly farther and with greater precision. Investing in a well tuned antenna can save you money in the long run by reducing the risk of crashes and equipment damage. So you should always choose best FPV antenna for your system. No matter that is analog or digital drone racing system.
When are you choosing the right antenna for your long-range drone it’s important to know different types available. There are two types of antennas – directional and omnidirectional.
Directional antennas are designed to “focus” signal in a specific direction, while omnidirectional antennas provide a 360-degree coverage.
Directional antennas are ideal for long-range flights where the drone needs to maintain a stable signal over a specific area/range. They are often used for tasks such as long range flights, surveying, big area mapping, and inspection in difficult terrain. The main advantage of directional antenna is their ability to provide a stronger signal over longer distances. But you should to know that they require aiming and positioning to achieve optimal performance.
Omnidirectional antennas are designed to provide a wider coverage area, making them ideal for tasks such as fun flying near you and you don’t care long range flying. They are easy to install and require aiming or positioning, but they provide a weaker signal over longer distances.
This type of antennas can also be divided into linearly and circularly polarized antennas.
Linearly polarized antennas are less expensive and easier to install, but they are also more susceptible to interference, which can result in a weaker signal.
Circularly polarized antennas provide better signal quality and are less affected by interference, but they are more expensive and require more precise tuning.
Circularly polarized antennas are generally better than linear polarized antennas. This is because circularly polarized FPV antennas can transmit and receive signals in multiple planes, allowing them to better navigate through obstacles and handle reflections (because reflected signal change it’s polarization). They also have less signal loss due to changes in polarization caused by reflections, which can be a significant problem for linearly polarized antennas.
Circularly polarized antennas come also with higher cost and more complicated design. Manufacturing process of circularly polarized antennas need more precise assembly, tuning and calibration to achieve optimal performance. This can result in a higher price point compared to linearly polarized antennas.
In conclusion, selecting the right antenna for your long-range drone depends on the specific task at hand. Directional antennas provide a stronger signal over longer distances but require precise aiming and positioning. Omnidirectional antennas offer a wider coverage area but provide a weaker signal over longer distances. Linearly polarized antennas are less expensive and easier to install, but they are more susceptible to interference. Circularly polarized antennas offer better signal quality and are less affected by interference, but they are more expensive and require more precise tuning.