Taranis Range Issues!

General Help and support for the Taranis Radio.
Post Reply
Ocean
Posts: 9
Joined: Thu Apr 09, 2015 5:05 pm
Country: -

Taranis Range Issues!

Post by Ocean »

Hi there,

So I have exhausted every possible option to do with my Taranis and still I can't get it to work.

Right so in short I am getting really bad range with my Taranis, once I fell out of the sky at 10m (lol) but usually I get around 60m.

Here's what I have tried + noticed:
-About this time last year I snapped off the original Taranis antenna due to bad care, to combat this I originally tried to solder on an RP-SMA pigtail but my bad soldering destroyed my internal XJT Module. So I purchase an external XJT to use, this had range issues so I purchased another internal XJT replacement board that had a u.fl connector and I performed the 5dbi Upgrade mod from Aloft Hobbies. Ever since then its been on and off in terms on range, althought I suspect this has been due to my antenna placement, etc.

-No range difference between my X4R-SB, MicroFrX and X8R.

-1.3Ghz and 5.8Ghz FPV VTx effect the range both equally as bad.

-My friend flies at exactly the same location and gets perfect range every time.

-There is a radio tower transmitting these frequencies with these powers 1.5Km away from where I fly.
Frequency UHF kW Operator System
482.000 MHz 22 200 COM5 (ARQ A) DVB-T
490.000 MHz 23 200 PSB1 (BBC A) DVB-T
506.000 MHz 25 200 COM4 (SDN) DVB-T
514.000 MHz 26 200 PSB2 (D3&4) DVB-T
529.833 MHz 28- 200 COM6 (ARQ B) DVB-T
538.000 MHz 29 20 LTVmux DVB-T
545.833 MHz 30- 200 PSB3 (BBC B) DVB-T2
570.000 MHz 33 43.1 COM7 (ARQ C) DVB-T2
586.000 MHz 35 39.8 COM8 (ARQ D) DVB-T2

As well as a few analogue radio signals at 4kW or so.

Does anyone have any ideas to why I am getting such bad range issues? I am absolutely stuck for ideas.

Thank you in advance

Ocean

Ocean
Posts: 9
Joined: Thu Apr 09, 2015 5:05 pm
Country: -

Re: Taranis Range Issues!

Post by Ocean »

Let me add that I have replaced the antennas on the X8R so I doubt it is this.
User avatar
bob195558
Posts: 2377
Joined: Sun Dec 16, 2012 7:24 pm
Country: United States
Location: New England, Vermont
Contact:

Re: Taranis Range Issues!

Post by bob195558 »

Ocean wrote: I performed the 5dbi Upgrade mod from Aloft Hobbies.
Hi Ocean,
Are you saying you are using the FrSky 5dB Module Antenna with your new internal FrSky Taranis Backboard with internal XJT module ? :?:
The FrSky 5dB Module Antenna may hurt you more then what is suggested to be of a help.
Having the right antennas can help, but some antennas on the market are not correctly made and maybe adding more problems.

Dose your friend using the same model of Taranis radio that you are using with the same type of receivers like you are using ? :?:
And if so, do you both fly the same kind of model and do you both locate your transmitter and receiver antennas in the same way ? :?:

What are your RSSI readings compared to your friends RSSI readings ? :?:

Radio tower transmitting frequencies, YES can be a big problem when they are transmitting there more powerful transitions.

I am not an expert on this subject, but I also have had some problem with the older Taranis-x9d model with its internal XJT transmitter module.
I mostly use the external XJT module, which gives me a higher RSSI reading.
Power lines and metal objects like chain-link-fences also can have negative affects.
Some time I have seen, partial lost of stick control with one model and have full control with a different model
and without changing anything the next day have full control of both models.
I think this may have something to do with outside RF frequency interference.

So I ask the question, what is happening, what are the variables that are changing from one time to the next ?
There can be a lot of them.
That's why I ask you a lot of questions above.
You should have your XJT antenna at a 45 or 90 degree angle as the RF signal comes from the side of your FrSky 2dB Module Antenna.
Not the top of the antenna.
Have your receiver whisker antennas away from (if any) metal or carbon-fiber fame structure
and have them at a 45 degree angle from each other.
These are some thing to do that have helped me.

Bob B.
Er9x on 9x radio, with Smartieparts Programmer and TelemetrEZ Board.
ErSky9x on Taranis, Sky9x, 9Xtreme radios.
3D-Printing: (https://openrcforums.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=129).
User avatar
bob195558
Posts: 2377
Joined: Sun Dec 16, 2012 7:24 pm
Country: United States
Location: New England, Vermont
Contact:

Re: Taranis Range Issues!

Post by bob195558 »

Here is a good video that will help to understand a little more about frequency: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCVd3QGQhKU).
A very good youtube ! The Fresnel Zone explained (2.4GHz Signal Freguency's): (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCVd3QGQhKU&t=1034s).

More info about spectrum analyzers: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19JNDCVHaQQ) and (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio_spectrum).
FPV antenna gain and range explained: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bx7gMUw1MGw).
Flite Test - FPV Antennas - FLITE TIP: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2m169lcBYs).

Some tools that could help: (http://www.immersionrc.com/downloads/ma ... Manual.pdf),
(https://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/sto ... duct=51616).
And this: (http://j3.rf-explorer.com/60-rfe/specif ... cification),

(Updated): Another thing that can cause problems is not using a 5 volt UBEC (5 amp rating) to power your model receiver.
If you are using the 5 volts out from your ESC, which maybe only rated at 2 amp and so can may be causing your receiver to fail.
This is called receiver brownout, which is insufficient current to power the receiver.

Bob B.
Last edited by bob195558 on Wed Mar 22, 2017 7:26 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Er9x on 9x radio, with Smartieparts Programmer and TelemetrEZ Board.
ErSky9x on Taranis, Sky9x, 9Xtreme radios.
3D-Printing: (https://openrcforums.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=129).
Ocean
Posts: 9
Joined: Thu Apr 09, 2015 5:05 pm
Country: -

Re: Taranis Range Issues!

Post by Ocean »

Hi Bob and thank you for the reply.

What I purchased from Aloft was called the "5dbi Upgrade Mod" , it was essentially a u.fl pigtail to RP-SMA. The included antenna could be the FrSky 5dbi antenna, but I am not 100% sure. They do look identical though. I also add that I have made a 1/4 wave monopole that I will try at one point to see if it makes a difference. If this doesn't improve it I will purchase the stock 2dbi antenna.

My friend flies on a D4R-ii receiver and I fly on an X4R-SB mainly. However I have tried none of my 3 X8Rs are any different. However oddly my MicroFRX works as well as the X4R-SB on the same quad, however the antennas on the X4R are much closer to the FPV equipment. I usually mount my antennas at a 90 degree angle to each other and secure using zip ties and heat shrink.

I have yet to do any methodical testing however I plan to do this ASAP once I can get my friends Taranis available to do the testing.

I would love to get a power meter or an RF Explorer but currently my budget is tight and for the cost of a new quad its an easy decision.

My thoughts on what it could be is the bombardment of RF from the radio tower (this is a BIG tower) with 6 or so channels transmitting 200kW each. Combined with 5Ghz Wifi as well as an FPV transmitter is creating absolute RF hell for the receivers and why the range is so bad.

User avatar
bob195558
Posts: 2377
Joined: Sun Dec 16, 2012 7:24 pm
Country: United States
Location: New England, Vermont
Contact:

Re: Taranis Range Issues!

Post by bob195558 »

FrSky RF Coax Assembly.
FrSky RF Coax Assembly.
2.4 GHz FrSky 5dB Module Antenna.
2.4 GHz FrSky 5dB Module Antenna.
2.4 GHz FrSky 2dB Module Antenna.
2.4 GHz FrSky 2dB Module Antenna.
FrSky 7dB Patch Module Antenna.
FrSky 7dB Patch Module Antenna.
How to fix FrSky 7dB Patch Module Antenna.
How to fix FrSky 7dB Patch Module Antenna.
Here is some more info: (viewtopic.php?f=95&t=8580) and (viewtopic.php?f=96&t=8563).

Bob B.
Er9x on 9x radio, with Smartieparts Programmer and TelemetrEZ Board.
ErSky9x on Taranis, Sky9x, 9Xtreme radios.
3D-Printing: (https://openrcforums.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=129).
flyoz
Posts: 4
Joined: Tue May 10, 2016 12:57 pm
Country: -

Re: Taranis Range Issues!

Post by flyoz »

The Freqs you list have nothing to do with you radio which is 2.4GHz.
Have you seated the antenna wire connector properly on the board. The microscopic connectors can be a real !@$%#!

I noticed one I had was not truly seated and needed to carefully prise the wire end connector edge/ring a bit to open it enough to properly seat on the PCB connector-- then used a blunt wood skewer to ease it seated, carefully twisted the connect left and right a tiny bit to make sure it was and then added a dab of hot glue to hold it secure.

Good luck let us know how you went :D

PS for what its worth: I have been trained in NASA standard soldering technique and I would be nervous in soldering those little B---rs .
The secret in soldering is "Everything needs to be clean and shiny and the heat just enough to quickly melt the solde"r:
: wipe the iron tip clean and tin with a tiny bit of solder to make the tip shiny, clean your solder in a cloth or tissue, put a little flux on areas to be soldered and tin each item to be soldered with a tiny bit of solder then hold together heat for the shortest time to get the job done and touch a tiny bit of solder. It should all take a fraction of a second. that way the solder flows nicely and you wont delaminate the copper cct board pads or have the wire insulation recede back up the wire.
Ocean
Posts: 9
Joined: Thu Apr 09, 2015 5:05 pm
Country: -

Re: Taranis Range Issues!

Post by Ocean »

Thanks to everyone that helped on this thread.

I have now solved the range issues. I switched to a 2db antenna similar to the taranis stock antenna. My limiting factor is now my video range when I fly and I rarely have brownouts. I also moved my receiver antennas as far away from my video transmitter as physically possible.

I still have the 5db antenna lying around. My question is when is it better to use the 5db antenna over the 2db one? And what direction does it have to be oriented?

Thanks once again.
User avatar
bob195558
Posts: 2377
Joined: Sun Dec 16, 2012 7:24 pm
Country: United States
Location: New England, Vermont
Contact:

Re: Taranis Range Issues!

Post by bob195558 »

Here is a video by Mr Steel of his Taranis plus radio mod to a 5dbi antenna
with range testing: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBRddJsTYb0).

Bob B.
Er9x on 9x radio, with Smartieparts Programmer and TelemetrEZ Board.
ErSky9x on Taranis, Sky9x, 9Xtreme radios.
3D-Printing: (https://openrcforums.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=129).

Post Reply

Return to “General help (FrSky Taranis radio)”