I have an entry level drone (Sky Viper 2400 HD) that I am using to practice with before making the jump to a DJI P4. Opinions on the validity of this training method aside, I would like to increase the range of my controller. The stock antenna is PCB mounted (printed circuit board) http://imgur.com/bDEJa3R and is located in the upper right corner of the picture. I have seen modifications where one can solder a piece of wire directly to the board but in contact with the PCB antenna. Has anyone done this and can you provide some tips? It is my understanding that 2.4 GHz, and its associated antenna should not be more than 4 inches in total length...why I have no idea, but I have seen this mentioned in videos and articles. It is also my understanding that the antenna should always be perpendicular to the drone as signal strength is more concentrated from the long edge of the antenna. Can anyone shed light on these two concerns? I was planning on running the wire extension in the same direction that the PCB antenna us running now and thus when facing the drone, it would be perpendicular. My goal here is to make some range monitions in an effort to better control the drone from longer distances. Right now I am limited to about 100ft but would like to increase that by 50-100 %. Also, are there after market controllers that can be programmed to work with the drone I have that might already have a better antenna and range? Thanks for any help you can offer
For 2.4Ghz you usually want to use multiples of 31mm. They are usually referred to as 1/4 wave = 31mm, 1/2 wave = 62mm etc.
I too wanted to increase the range of my Viper 2400. it was simple and took less than 15 minutes. I took an antenna off an old wireless router. Took the controller apart and soldered the wire to the PCB board. Like shown in the pic I uploaded . And boom....now it will go 3 times as far. It is amazing the difference it made. It would look better with a black antenna but white is what I had lying around.
