A long post coming up, but if you're having the same problem as me, it will be an interesting read, in which case, I'd like to hear your experience with this issue.
I'm an electronics engineer with a lot of experience in soldering and trouble-shooting. Bought a brand new Alientech PRO 5.8G, the R/C mod went flawlessly, and I was impressed with the improvement in range on my Mavic Air. After about 6 months (only about 20 flights with the Alientech), I started getting strange behavior during flights. At first, the record on/off button-push on the controller would sometimes fail to register at the drone. Eventually, the flight controls became erratic and sometimes even unresponsive! During this time the controller would start throwing "Weak Signal" and "Disconnected" errors one after another, even though the drone was only about 20 meters away.
This problem did not begin suddenly, but rather it got worse as the flight progressed. At first, the problem would start a few minutes into the flight. Landing and letting the Alientech cool down would solve the problem, only to have it return again after a few minutes into the next flight. Over the course of a few weeks, the problem appearrd progressively sooner and sooner after powering on the Alientech, until it got to the point where the problem started just a few seconds after power-on. Turning off the Alientech during flight would immediately solve the problem, full control of the drone regained. I can safely conclude that the problem is with the Alientech, problem gets worse as the Alientech's temperature rises, and is a result of some some component(s) having gone through a degradation process as indicated by the fact that after the problem developed, it got progressively worse over time as opposed to happening suddenly.
I was able to get a warrantee replacement from Alientech, new unit worked perfectly, but after only about 3 months this time (≈15 flights), it started to show the initial symptoms of the first unit. Over the following weeks the problem gradually got worse, same as with the first unit. Finally it got to the point where all sorts of transmission errors occur starting a few seconds after power-up. Now I'm back to flying with omni-directional rubber-duckie antennas, no signal problems at all.
I've searched everywhere online and nobody seems to have this problem. I cannot believe that I'm the only one who has experienced this, given that TWO of my units failed only after a few months use!
I've disassembled the unit and there is a small power supply module just behind the power button. I've bypassed this module and now powering the two RF amplifier boards directly off a benchtop power supply. Preliminary tests indicate the Alientech is working fine. I'm suspecting the power module is oscillating, will have to get an o-scope on it next. Will keep you updated as to my progress. If you've experienced this problem, I'd love to hear from you.
I'm an electronics engineer with a lot of experience in soldering and trouble-shooting. Bought a brand new Alientech PRO 5.8G, the R/C mod went flawlessly, and I was impressed with the improvement in range on my Mavic Air. After about 6 months (only about 20 flights with the Alientech), I started getting strange behavior during flights. At first, the record on/off button-push on the controller would sometimes fail to register at the drone. Eventually, the flight controls became erratic and sometimes even unresponsive! During this time the controller would start throwing "Weak Signal" and "Disconnected" errors one after another, even though the drone was only about 20 meters away.
This problem did not begin suddenly, but rather it got worse as the flight progressed. At first, the problem would start a few minutes into the flight. Landing and letting the Alientech cool down would solve the problem, only to have it return again after a few minutes into the next flight. Over the course of a few weeks, the problem appearrd progressively sooner and sooner after powering on the Alientech, until it got to the point where the problem started just a few seconds after power-on. Turning off the Alientech during flight would immediately solve the problem, full control of the drone regained. I can safely conclude that the problem is with the Alientech, problem gets worse as the Alientech's temperature rises, and is a result of some some component(s) having gone through a degradation process as indicated by the fact that after the problem developed, it got progressively worse over time as opposed to happening suddenly.
I was able to get a warrantee replacement from Alientech, new unit worked perfectly, but after only about 3 months this time (≈15 flights), it started to show the initial symptoms of the first unit. Over the following weeks the problem gradually got worse, same as with the first unit. Finally it got to the point where all sorts of transmission errors occur starting a few seconds after power-up. Now I'm back to flying with omni-directional rubber-duckie antennas, no signal problems at all.
I've searched everywhere online and nobody seems to have this problem. I cannot believe that I'm the only one who has experienced this, given that TWO of my units failed only after a few months use!
I've disassembled the unit and there is a small power supply module just behind the power button. I've bypassed this module and now powering the two RF amplifier boards directly off a benchtop power supply. Preliminary tests indicate the Alientech is working fine. I'm suspecting the power module is oscillating, will have to get an o-scope on it next. Will keep you updated as to my progress. If you've experienced this problem, I'd love to hear from you.
