Mobile Insanity...

JohnnyB · Dec 24, 2017

Through about a year's worth of me aggravating the crap out of people, and after many changes and tweaking, I figured I would close out 2017 sharing the final outcome of my favorite build of the year... The Mobile Station.

After building many different mounts and trying many different cables/boosters/remotes/batteries/etc..., this is the best the build has ever been performance wise and has been what I have stuck with. Ended up more simple than it started for sure. Over thinking I was good at. Absolutely love it and wouldn't have been able to do any of it without this forum so thanks to all the guys who take the time to share your creations!

Though shared scatterly in another thread, I figured I'd put the final pics all in one spot to share, and for my own records...

A list of the parts used is in this video description. My video skills obviously needs work but this is about the build...

JohnnyB · Dec 24, 2017

Here's a couple measurements for my reference... May not be correct but it's the best of my ability and will be used as reference for troubleshooting.

Measuring straight out of the RF-Linx SAXU 1W signal amplifier.... And using this Times Microwave Calculator to figure attenuation...

Welcome to Times Microwave | Coaxial Cable - Attenuation & Power Handling Calculator

Same method measuring Sunhans 3W...

JohnnyB · Dec 24, 2017

A couple more of this year's builds....

9dB panel with same type amps... A little beast!

Tripod build...

Helihover · Dec 24, 2017

All this work just so you fly against regulations?

GMack · Dec 24, 2017

It's fine if your RC doesn't randomly shut down and disconnect like with my Inspire 2. The RC's main green LED goes dark and all the others stay on bright. Cheap DJI radio!

wa5tef · Dec 24, 2017

Interesting! But I can out distance my new high capacity battery with just my $14.00 Windsurfers.
Thanks
Jim
WA5TEF

tevek · Dec 24, 2017

Helihover said:
All this work just so you fly against regulations?

Or he may live in an area similar to where I am that is surrounded by a million 40-50m trees where the standard controller drops its lunch at 100mtrs. I have nothing like his work of art but my boosted set up is the difference between flying it without constant RTH events and a modicum of enjoyment or throwing it in the bin.

wa5tef · Dec 24, 2017

Yep, I can see where that would indeed be a problem. Our pine trees around here seem to have their pine needles tuned to 2.4 GHz which is exactly what they need to effectively block most of the signals. AND, they stay on the trees all year long. Such a setup might prove useful after all. It would be fun to experiment with for sure. Thanks for posting.
Jim
WA5TEF

JohnnyB · Dec 24, 2017

tevek said:
Or he may live in an area similar to where I am that is surrounded by a million 40-50m trees where the standard controller drops its lunch at 100mtrs. I have nothing like his work of art but my boosted set up is the difference between flying it without constant RTH events and a modicum of enjoyment or throwing it in the bin.

Nailed it. It's not only trees, I live in a bowl shaped valley where I have hills on all 4 sides. I'm not about distance at all or trying to out-do the next person.. and the majority of my flying is low, slow and through the trees. Down the field where I live are power lines. Stock, that's as far as I could get and that's less than 1000'.. the lines would take me out. Now I go past them, all behind the barn and beyond with no cutouts at all. This video shows where 95% of my flying takes place... one place behind the barn, there's even some ground between the bird and me...

The biggest thing for me about this was the builds themselves and the learning process that came with it. That was as much fun for me as the flying afterwards. As a friend said, being able to fry bacon and eggs with your antennas from 30 meters while out in the field is pretty darn cool! Lol

JohnnyB · Dec 24, 2017

wa5tef said:
Interesting! But I can out distance my new high capacity battery with just my $14.00 Windsurfers.
Thanks
Jim
WA5TEF

Yeah but, I have a spit cup holder... (Laughs)

JohnnyB · Dec 24, 2017

Helihover said:
All this work just so you fly against regulations?

Nope, just so I can fly.. Period

JohnnyB · Dec 24, 2017

I can't see the junk cars in the video above from where I was setting and there's a house in between.. Plus the power lines... Not to mention I was beyond the crest of the hill... THATS what it's about for me and that's why I love this set-up. Not bragging at all.. just like havin' a little fun..

DaveD · Dec 24, 2017

Nice work. Very interesting!

tevek · Dec 24, 2017

JohnnyB said:
Nailed it. It's not only trees, I live in a bowl shaped valley where I have hills on all 4 sides. I'm not about distance at all or trying to out-do the next person.. and the majority of my flying is low, slow and through the trees. Down the field where I live are power lines. Stock, that's as far as I could get and that's less than 1000'.. the lines would take me out. Now I go past them, all behind the barn and beyond with no cutouts at all. This video shows where 95% of my flying takes place... one place behind the barn, there's even some ground between the bird and me...

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The biggest thing for me about this was the builds themselves and the learning process that came with it. That was as much fun for me as the flying afterwards. As a friend said, being able to fry bacon and eggs from with your antennas from 30 meters while out in the field is pretty darn cool! Lol

And this is one of the reasons I like this forum with people like yourself not accepting sub par performance, whether it be drones, motorbikes or anything else mass produced for the plebs. Cannot see myself going down the road you have as my FPVLR boosted setup with Fatsharks is streets ahead of the original kit, but appreciate you sharing the adventure. Happy Christmas!

chazzm · Dec 25, 2017

Hey speaking of “all this work just to fly against regulations “ where I live and with any Phantom or Mavic Pro you’ll auto land before leaving my property! Not many high trees but plenty of mesquite though and it’s all mine I’m personally checking into power boosters also and our little airport is about 12 miles away so no troubles there, I fly fpv pretty much exclusively using Fat Shark dominator v3, I’ve just yesterday ordered The DJI racing edition goggles!

JohnnyB · Dec 25, 2017

chazzm said:
Hey speaking of “all this work just to fly against regulations “ where I live and with any Phantom or Mavic Pro you’ll auto land before leaving my property! Not many high trees but plenty of mesquite though and it’s all mine I’m personally checking into power boosters also and our little airport is about 12 miles away so no troubles there, I fly fpv pretty much exclusively using Fat Shark dominator v3, I’ve just yesterday ordered The DJI racing edition goggles!

As far as 2.4ghz, these boosters are hard to beat for the money.. $50 (each) on eBay compared to the sunhans $74 (each). In the measurement pic, it's a TX measurement but the kicker for me is the 20dB RX it brings. RX is where it's at. Not kicking the sunhans at all.. they have their place in my set-ups. It's about finding the balance in the location your flying in.
I love the RF-Linx because of the AGC (automatic gain control) and the 20dB RX. The sunhans doesn't have AGC so output is solely based on the input received.. which can very well be the balance you need for your location. The RF-LINX takes an input and automatically adjust it's output to max performance without distorting the signal using built in filters to help filter out interferences. And that's why they just work great with these Omni antennas. But, I can pair the sunhans on the panel antennas and get a great performance in this location also. The difference.... Setting comfortably in a heated car and it 30 degrees outside.. and, it's a great sunshade.

JohnnyB · Dec 25, 2017

Little penetration test using the same equipment but installed in my truck...

Foosy · Dec 25, 2017

JohnnyB said:
Nailed it. It's not only trees, I live in a bowl shaped valley where I have hills on all 4 sides. I'm not about distance at all or trying to out-do the next person.. and the majority of my flying is low, slow and through the trees. Down the field where I live are power lines. Stock, that's as far as I could get and that's less than 1000'.. the lines would take me out. Now I go past them, all behind the barn and beyond with no cutouts at all. This video shows where 95% of my flying takes place... one place behind the barn, there's even some ground between the bird and me...

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For more detailed information, see our cookies page.

The biggest thing for me about this was the builds themselves and the learning process that came with it. That was as much fun for me as the flying afterwards. As a friend said, being able to fry bacon and eggs with your antennas from 30 meters while out in the field is pretty darn cool! Lol

Note that you are also frying your own eggs when flying with this gig. Not all power restrictions are to prevent long distance flights. There is also the issue of exposure to radiation. Unfortunately many people think that things you can't see, can't hurt you.

You can/should read about it here: hps.org

JohnnyB · Dec 25, 2017

Foosy said:
Note that you are also frying your own eggs when flying with this gig. Not all power restrictions are to prevent long distance flights. There is also the issue of exposure to radiation. Unfortunately many people think that things you can't see, can't hurt you.

You can/should read about it here: hps.org

Interesting read. I'll investigate further. Thanks