Mavic Air 2 recommended antenna/signal boost mods

Chanabra · Sep 27, 2020

Hello I live in dense populated city lots of interference..

My MA2 gets about 2000 M before significant signal loss...

Looking to mod a second controller that just arrived..

Was looking at the new alientech boosted 2.4//5.8 ghz... seems expensive

was reading around and saw some other stuff I am not familiar with

Due to terrain, LOS is an issue.... hills//buildings etc...

i apologize if this is a topic elsewhere i spent a few hours reading before posting this
looking for your recommendation on signal boosters//antenna mods

I am good with a soldering gun and not afraid to open up my hardware

thanks for your time much love

lannes · Sep 27, 2020

I believe the Alientech is the only amplified option at the moment for the MA2

You could also try the cheaper passive Yagi antenna option, that doesn’t require the controller modification.

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Buy STARTRC 5.8ghz Extended Range Yagi Antenna Signal Booster Suitable for DJI Mavic Air 2 at cheap price online, with Youtube reviews and FAQs, we generally offer free shipping to Europe, US, Latin America, Russia, etc.

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Chanabra · Sep 27, 2020

to my understanding alientech is not going to do much for LOS hills//buildings etc?
.... if i could get further without interference with los i would be happy...
is difference between powered/boosted and un-boosted that great?

thanks

lannes · Sep 27, 2020

Chanabra said:
to my understanding alientech is not going to do much for LOS hills//buildings etc?
.... if i could get further without interference with los i would be happy...
is difference between powered/boosted and un-boosted that great?

thanks

Haven’t really seen any independent range tests tests on the Alientech/ MA2 solution.
There have been reviews of their other antenna solutions on

Amazon.com: Customer reviews: ALIENTECH Duo Antenna 2.4G & 5.8G Signal Booster Range Extender for Spark Mavic Mini/air/pro / 2 Zoom / 2 pro Drones Assessories (Spark/Mavic, Black)

Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for ALIENTECH Duo Antenna 2.4G & 5.8G Signal Booster Range Extender for Spark Mavic Mini/air/pro / 2 Zoom / 2 pro Drones Assessories (Spark/Mavic, Black) at Amazon.com. Read honest and unbiased product reviews from our users.

www.amazon.com

If you think about it, if the range boosters are really significantly better why hasn’t DJi incorporated them in their controller design or released their own version.

I use the Titan range of amplified antennas but for me results have been mixed, As I only fly 2-3 km away, I haven’t really noticed any signal strength improvements over the stock antennas.

Cpt.Barbossa1072 · Sep 30, 2020

Alientech PRO 2.4ghz powered amp booster for sale w/receipt never used)asking $300

For Sale i have a NIB/never used Alientech PRO 2.4ghz (powered amp) booster along w/including a mod-kit for the DJI SmartController, (if you decide to mod your SC)to accept the booster amp...its new in box w/receipt including shipping with in USA....i had lost my M2P & sold the modded S/C to...

mavicpilots.com

Chanabra · Oct 15, 2020

lannes said:
If you think about it, if the range boosters are really significantly better why hasn’t DJi incorporated them in their controller design or released their own version.

Because the signal output is beyond FCC legal limit.

Thomas B · Oct 15, 2020

Chanabra said:
Because the signal output is beyond FCC legal limit.

What is that limit? Reference please.

zeusfl · Oct 16, 2020

The Antennas works and boosters as well.

Chanabra · Oct 16, 2020

Please correct me if I am interpreting all this incorrectly. Technically the boosters push you beyond what DJi can legally put out on their hardware. Yes, in the countryside with no interference one would fly beyond their batteries capabilities.

However, for someone like me, who lives in a city, and has to deal with a crap ton of intereference, something like the boosted alientech 2.4/5.8 would be ideal in strengthening the signal and limiting interference in the connection.

FCC Rules and Regulations | AIR802 | 2.4 & 5 GHz Bands

Transmitter Power (EIRP)
2.400-2.4835 GHz:
FCC: ≤26 dBm
CE: ≤20 dBm
SRRC: ≤20 dBm
MIC: ≤20 dBm

5.725-5.850 GHz:
FCC: ≤26 dBm
CE: ≤14 dBm
SRRC: ≤26 dBm

zeusfl · Oct 16, 2020

Correct. Will give you much better strange in high interference environments.

zeusfl · Oct 29, 2020

Very very interesting. The fact you can boost the aircraft as well is very promising. I will love to give a shot.

lannes · Oct 29, 2020

JohnLietzke said:
Chanabra,
Thanks for the DBm by regulatory agency breakdown.

JohnLietzke · Nov 1, 2020

Anyone tried the software based hack signal boost from some of the third party companies that use the full power of the antenna as opposed to a hardware mod? From what I found on YouTube it little impact on the battery.

RandyBullard · Nov 5, 2020

I've got a MA2 and would like to get the Alientech Pro. Assuming I do and I mod the controller so that the antenna can be attached.... can I also/instead hook up small rubber quick-release antennas to the antenna posts if/when I'm not needing to actually use the larger/heavier antenna booster? I would prefer not to buy a second controller, but the idea of having to always lug around and use the antenna booster once I mod the controller, even when I don't need the range is a negative. In the pictures, they look like standard quick release connectors so I'm fairly certain that should work, but wanted to see if anyone that has modded their MA2 controller have used non-boosted antennas on the posts, and whether the experience when they did so was analogous (range/quality) to using the stock antenna?

JohnLietzke · Nov 6, 2020

Yes, Alientech sells detachable antennas either as kit or individually. You need an antenna tuned 2.4GHz and 5.8 GHz and they must be installed on the appropriate antenna post.

Deleted member 109911 · Nov 9, 2020

I can't find it now but saw a YouTube video on adding two signal boosters other controllers giving you an additional 10-15dbh. To the controllers giving a 36dbh. Instead of 20.dbh from the original and each booster ran 20 each so a little of solder and cable fittings runs about 45-50 usd and you can boost the signal just as far for 400 dollars cheaper.

Silver Surfer 42 · Nov 13, 2020

RandyBullard said:
I've got a MA2 and would like to get the Alientech Pro. Assuming I do and I mod the controller so that the antenna can be attached.... can I also/instead hook up small rubber quick-release antennas to the antenna posts if/when I'm not needing to actually use the larger/heavier antenna booster? I would prefer not to buy a second controller, but the idea of having to always lug around and use the antenna booster once I mod the controller, even when I don't need the range is a negative. In the pictures, they look like standard quick release connectors so I'm fairly certain that should work, but wanted to see if anyone that has modded their MA2 controller have used non-boosted antennas on the posts, and whether the experience when they did so was analogous (range/quality) to using the stock antenna?

I have the Alien Tech Duo and I performed the modification on my controllers. It is pretty straight forward; just follow along with the video. Also, I purchased the following: