Mavic Mini signal strength boosters?

[Starz]

Portability wasn’t a concern. Experimenting was the idea. Still have the original controller that fits in the DJI case.

 

[rambo6]

The mini comes in 2 models, the FCC (MT1SS5) and the CE (MT1SD25).
I'm quite sure that the transmission power is Built into the transmitter through hardware and you are not able to 'mod' it through software.

Only thing is... for the FCC version, it reduces to lower transmission power in a CE country which may cause it to perform similarly(or worst) to a CE version in the same flight path. The advantage to the FCC version is that you're able to hack it into thinking it is in the US and thus fly it at max. transmission power.
Comparing both versions, the FCC version still holds the advantage over the CE version.

 

[ruggb]

I guess I will order this and try it out. For the price, it is an easy test.
Be aware, it will take 2-4 weeks to get it from this vendor. Otherwise AMZ has them at 2-3x the price.

A simple sheet of foil behind the antenna would probably make things worse. The idea of the parabola, is to catch the signal that misses the antenna and FOCUS it back to the antenna. That is where the gain comes from. The same concept of the dish antennas or even a Newtonian telescope.

If you are not pointing the reflector AT the AC, at some positions you can expect far worse performance than without it as it is then blocking the normal signal. At other positions, maybe up to 45° off, it will be the same as no reflectors.

 

[potzed]

Also you can download a modded DJI fly app to switch the drone from CE (0.1W transmission) to FCC (0.4W transmission), therefore increasing the signal strength fourfold. This is what I have done with my m1p and the strength and 'video smoothness' have increased by far.

Where

 

[Frosty Of The North]

Where

I'm curious too. And whether that could become problematic with warranty coverage or any legalties.

 

[Frosty Of The North]

I guess I will order this and try it out. For the price, it is an easy test.
Be aware, it will take 2-4 weeks to get it from this vendor. Otherwise AMZ has them at 2-3x the price.

A simple sheet of foil behind the antenna would probably make things worse. The idea of the parabola, is to catch the signal that misses the antenna and FOCUS it back to the antenna. That is where the gain comes from. The same concept of the dish antennas or even a Newtonian telescope.

If you are not pointing the reflector AT the AC, at some positions you can expect far worse performance than without it as it is then blocking the normal signal. At other positions, maybe up to 45° off, it will be the same as no reflectors.

Did you receive it and try it out? What's been your experience?

 

[208driver]

i bought the 4hawks antenna, went from 2,5km max to 4,5km without problems (Germany)

 

[Frosty Of The North]

i bought the 4hawks antenna, went from 2,5km max to 4,5km without problems (Germany)

Have you noticed a difference with signal strength -- specifically interference in populated areas?

 

[Tyson76]

Smal or big 4hawks?

 

[208driver]

Have you noticed a difference with signal strength -- specifically interference in populated areas?

Yes, before I could go to 2,5 km maximum,
Now 4,5 without a signal drop.

 

[Frosty Of The North]

Sorry, I should have been more clear. I don't need increased range. I'm looked for less signal interference. I imagine there's a correlation between distance and signal strength, but I wonder if you've seen any decrease in signal interference?

 

[Tyson76]

4hawks Sr or xr?

 

[208driver]

Sorry, yeah a lot more stable...it's worth the investment!
4hawks SR

 

[Tyson76]

Thank you!I order it too

 

[Frosty Of The North]

Sorry, yeah a lot more stable...it's worth the investment!
4hawks SR

Thanks. I just might try it out.

 

[Sideburn]

I have a new 4hawks USA version that doesn’t have the 2.4qhz antennas which frees up room to put the larger XR 5.8 antennas in it. I am also boosting the right (closest to power button) antenna which is the TX / RX antenna.

I am not boosting the RX only antenna (closest to RTH button) because I don’t think it helps. I don’t think you can boost the Rx signal ?. It doesn’t seem so from my tests.

With this setup I’ve definitely doubled my range and probably more.

I think stock I was getting about 3,000 feet in my residential area when flying west which is an open area downhill through a park and to the beach.

With the boosted 4hawks I can now go a little past 7,000 feet.

And the setup is still fairly compact so it fits in my case still.

If anyone knows wether boosting the RX only antenna would also make an improvement, please let me know. I tried it once and it didn’t seem to make a difference so I returned it.

 

[Len750]

The best and simplest way to get a stronger signal is to make sure it’s not getting ‘diluted’ by turning off your smartphone’s Wifi and cellular - AFTER you cache the maps where you will be flying as maps require either (not both) of those.

So putting phone in airplane mode after cacheing (?) maps?

 

[Len750]

All I can say is that I don't fly without the range extender anymore.

View attachment 88235
View attachment 88236

What tablet is that? Also, what is that tablet adapter? I would love to fly my new Mini with my Ipad like I do with my Phantom 4 Pro V2!

 

[zeusfl]

What tablet is that? Also, what is that tablet adapter? I would love to fly my new Mini with my Ipad like I do with my Phantom 4 Pro V2!

The tablet is an Ipad Pro 11 inches (lasted model) and the adapter is an OTG to USB-C 11 inches. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0747RSPWJ/

 

[Frosty Of The North]

So for those of us in Canada, which version of the 4Hawks is recommended -- the US version or the non-US version? I asked the manufacturer but their answer was vague.