FPV Antenna Guide, RHCP, LHCP Polarisation, Directional vs Omnidirectional

FPV Antenna Guide, RHCP, LHCP Polarisation, Directional vs Omnidirectional

Antennas are a crucial component in your FPV system, affecting both the range and quality of your signal. This guide explains the different types of antennas used in FPV (First Person View) flying, helping you choose the right one based on your needs.

Antenna Frequency

FPV antennas are frequency-specific, meaning you must match the antenna frequency to your FPV equipment. Most FPV systems use 5.8GHz antennas, which are smaller than lower frequency antennas like 2.4GHz.

Antenna Polarization: Linear vs. Circular

Polarization is how the signal is transmitted and received by the antenna. There are two main types:

  • Linear Polarization: Signals are transmitted in a straight line. These can provide longer range but require perfect alignment between the transmitting and receiving antennas. They’re less ideal for drones due to constant movement.
  • Circular Polarization: Signals rotate in a corkscrew pattern, making them more reliable for drones as they maintain consistent overlap regardless of the drone’s orientation. Most FPV pilots prefer circular polarized antennas for this reason.

LHCP vs. RHCP: Circular polarized antennas come in left-hand (LHCP) and right-hand (RHCP) versions, and both antennas (transmitter and receiver) must be of the same type for compatibility.

Directional vs. Omnidirectional Antennas

Antennas are also categorized by how they direct their signal:

  • Omnidirectional Antennas: These offer wide coverage with shorter range, ideal for general FPV flying as they don’t need to be pointed directly at the aircraft.
  • Directional Antennas: These provide longer range but have a narrow signal beam, requiring the antenna to be pointed at the drone. Ideal for long-distance flights but may need manual or automated tracking.

Using Multiple Antennas

For optimal performance, some FPV systems use a combination of antennas. A common setup is using an omnidirectional antenna for general coverage and a directional antenna for extended range. These setups use diversity receivers to automatically switch between antennas for the best signal.

Antenna Gain

Gain refers to the antenna's ability to focus its signal, measured in decibels (dB). Higher gain antennas stretch the signal for longer range in a specific direction, at the cost of beam width. Lower gain antennas provide a more even, spherical coverage.

Common FPV Antennas

  • Duck Antennas: Linear, omnidirectional, with moderate gain.
  • Cloverleaf and Skew Planar: Circular, omnidirectional, popular for general FPV use.
  • Helical and Patch Antennas: Directional, offering longer range in a specific direction.

To learn more check out our full article over on dronetrest.com - The complete guide to FPV antennas for your drone

    • Related Articles

    • Caddx Vista / Nebula Troubleshooting Guide

      If you have any issues with your Caddx Vista Digital FPV system, this guide will help you to narrow down the source of the fault. Poor range with Caddx Vista If you have poor range or weak signal with your Caddx vista the first thing to check is that ...

    • Choosing a FPV Radio Controller, TX Module and Receiver

      Your radio is one place where a larger initial investment will go a long way, especially if you decide to stick with FPV long-term. When getting into FPV, your first purchase is most likely going to be your radio transmitter (or TX). The radio takes ...

    • I Can't Update My DJI FPV Air Unit (Caddx Vista)

      If you are having issues with updating your DJI FPV air unit, or Caddx Vista Air Unit, this guide will help resolve some of the common issues we encounter with them If your Air Unit gets stuck during a firmware update: Try to flash different USB ...

    • Poor FPV video range or bad VTX (video transmitter) signal - What to check.

      A fairly common issue in FPV is that you are getting worse video signal that what you would expect.  Fortunately, most of the time this is not a hardware fault, so this guide will walk you through some of the common issues that can cause bad video ...

    • BetaFlight Resource Mapping Guide

      As manufacturers are stuffing more and more features into flight controllers, we are increasingly seeing boards that have fewer pins available for accessories. The result is lost capabilities, such as: Not enough UART input/outputs Inability to fly ...

    • Recent Articles

    • Update on the Caddx Avatar HD Goggles X Extension Module

      Background: Caddx has recently announced an important update for customers using the Avatar HD Goggles X. On September 9th, 2024, Caddx released an official statement regarding an extension module that will be made available for customers whose ...

    • What to Do if You Entered the Wrong Email Address During Checkout

      We understand that mistakes happen! If you accidentally entered the wrong email address during checkout, you won't receive any email updates about your order's progress. But don’t worry — we have alternative ways to keep you informed. How to Get ...

    • How to Access Product Manuals and Firmware for LDARC Products

      If you need the product manuals or firmware updates for your LDARC products, such as the X43 R/C Crawler or the CT01 radio controller, you can find all necessary documentation and files on the LDARC official website. Where to Find LDARC Product ...

    • How to Get a Receiver Installed on Your Pre-Built FPV Drone (PNP)

      How to Get a Receiver Installed on Your Pre-Built FPV Drone (PNP) Are you looking to have a receiver installed on one of our pre-built FPV drones? We’re here to help! Whether you're new to FPV or just need a specific receiver setup, we offer ...

    • What to Do If Your Tracking Number Has Not Updated

      We understand that it can be worrying when your tracking number hasn’t updated for some time. Rest assured, we are here to help you resolve this issue. Here’s what you need to know and the steps you should take if your tracking information is not ...