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GoPro Karma Controller Antenna Upgrades

bfarnam

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Does anyone happen to have the spec sheet for the GoPro Karma controller RangePro antenna from ITElite?

I am specifically interested in the center frequencies, the design gain, and the max power handling.

I am trying to decide if this is worth it or should I design my own external antenna. The internal antenna, a TAOGLAS WLP.25 (aka WLP.2450.25.4.A.02) is a 2.4~2.5GHz Ceramic Patch Antenna with the following specifications on a 50mm by 50mm ground plane:

Frequency Range : 2.44GHz ~ 2.525GHz
Frequency (Center/Band) : 2.4GHz
VSWR : 2 max
Gain : 5 dBic MAX

Unfortunately the antenna is mounted with out such a large ground plane and its gain will be greatly affected. The antennas are very very cheap so making the proper PCB with a 50mm by 50mm ground plane (x2) to get the proper gain values is actually not very hard. However, the most I could achieve would be a gain of 5 dBic. So if the RangePro is not much higher than that, why would I bother?

There are some technical considerations. For instance the internal antennas are canted outward to improve the horizontal axis while the RangePro is 90 degree flat. What you lose in horizontal you hopefully acquire in additional gain.

Just some thoughts for the technical in here: There is a near drop in replacement inside the controller. The Abracon APAKN2504-S2448-T has very similar ratings with a 7 dBi max gain with an identical footprint. However, the Taoglas offers a 85 MHz bandwidth while the Abracon only offers a 100 MHz bandwidth with a frequency range of 2.142 GHz to 2.484 GHz. So knowing the actual frequencies of the Karma Controller would be paramount. The Abracon is more expensive, so just the bandwidth might not be the reason that GoPro chose one over the other.

Any thoughts?
Does any one have the RangePro spec sheet?
Has anyone taken apart the RangePro so see what actual antenna is inside?
Has anyone else actually measured the frequencies?

Thanx!

Brett
 
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I went all out and never lose a signal now , I was losing about 400' in both alt and dist. Now I can go farther then my bat will allow . 2000' 3000' . It was designed for a solo 3 , I mad my own mods and it is fantastic. here are some photos and a website . www.rexuav.com.
 

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I hope you can answer a question for me. Do you know if the passenger app connects to the drone or the controller? I want to upgrade my antenna as I can't seem to get very good range. I also use the passenger app on a tablet. I'm trying to figure out if the upgrade will help with the video feed on the passenger app or is that connecting directly to the drone so it would not help that but only the controller connection and video.

If you guys have experience with that I would love to know!

Mike.
 
I went all out and never lose a signal now , I was losing about 400' in both alt and dist. Now I can go farther then my bat will allow . 2000' 3000' . It was designed for a solo 3 , I mad my own mods and it is fantastic. here are some photos and a website . www.rexuav.com.
Very interesting, could you share what mods you made to work with the Karma?

On a side note, I have been able to get just over 5900 ft in horizontal distance while at the same elevation as the stock controller with the flat surface positioned towards the drone.
 
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interesting idea you have there. to my knowledge, you need SDR (software define radio) hardware to acquire the information you are looking for...and more. google it to know more about this device and where to get it also, how to use it. neat little device and you will love it. i wouldn't get anything above $50 tho.

here a quick summary,


i encouraged additional readings. good luck on the project and keep us updated.
 
Very interesting, could you share what mods you made to work with the Karma?

On a side note, I have been able to get just over 5900 ft in horizontal distance while at the same elevation as the stock controller with the flat surface positioned towards the drone.

I just received this , they sell the unit for $199.00 and this is what I did . here are the photos .
 

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I just received this , they sell the unit for $199.00 and this is what I did . here are the photos .

Could you tell me what to buy and how it should be mounted? or if I can send you the necessary amount and you assemble it for me, obviously paying for the trouble
 
It’s very simple , you need a YouTube video for the conversion . Also some torx scerewdrivers .
 
[QUOTE = "Rcsaugus, post: 6472, membro: 1992"]
È molto semplice, è necessario un video di YouTube per la conversione. Anche alcuni cacciaviti torx.
[/ CITAZIONE]

Can you help me to find it?
 
Look in the thread its all there www.rexuav.com the solo 3d I think ,call them they are very helpful . Im just passing info of what I did , I do not do this type of work . Hope it all goes well ...be safe .
 
Look in the thread its all there www.rexuav.com the solo 3d I think ,call them they are very helpful . Im just passing info of what I did , I do not do this type of work . Hope it all goes well ...be safe .
[/CITAZIONE]


Can you at least tell me which pieces you bought from them?
 
It’s too complicated to spell out. Just go on their website it’s all there. Good luck.
 
Hi. Im also interested in this for my karma but the 3rdr solo that list 199 doesnt come with an antenna.
Which packade did you get?
 
[QUOTE = "dronelover, post: 6515, membro: 2927"]
Ciao. Sono anche interessato a questo per il mio karma, ma il solo 3rdr che elenca 199 non viene fornito con un'antenna.
Quale pacchetto hai ottenuto?
[/CITAZIONE]

Devi prendere questo:
 
you need to purchase the antenna separate
2020 REXUAV - DJI, 3DR Solo 2.4GHz CP Long Range Antenna V4


$134.99 Regular Price
$99.99Sale Price
 
This is the base unit
2020 3DR Solo Booster Kit


$249.99 Regular Price
$199.99Sale Price
 
Thanks. Ill look into this.


so only the antenna seprately bought and the base unit?
Nomore extra cabled needed?

I see i do need to fabricate 2x screw thread post and bolts.
Did those two coaxial gold fittings you installed under karma controller came with the kit?
anyhing more needed?
 

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