This Article is about how to boost the range of your 2.4GHz controller - should work with all 2.4 Ghz transmitters

In order to boost the Output power of my Spektrum transmitter I made this very simple ( and not so elegant ) modification . In the Uk the power output is set to 100mw . In the US it is 200mw. With my modification it is now 2000mw ( 2 watts ). 

The range is now increased by the square root of 20 ( 4.47 times further ) . In the US it is the square root of 10 ( 3.36 times further ) . This is because the signal doesn't go in a line , so double the power means double the area not the distance ( 4 times the power to double the distance in this case ). 

This power increase is not really necessary unless you have eagle eyes and regularly fly out of sight, but in Fpv I have found the video transmitter reduces the control range ( even though their different frequencies it creates a shield effect) so if you find you still have video but no controls then this should help.

 The basic plan is to open up the Transmitter , "steal" the output from the transmitter module within the controller and run this through a Booster ( indoor wifi booster it claims ! ) and then run this through a seperate antenna.

Step One - open up the transmitter - unscrew these higlighted

Step 2 - Locate the transmitter module antenna plug

Step 3 - Drill a hole in the side (9mm approx ) to allow for the wire connector to screw onto the side (or remove a switch, I removed the flap switch as it was already loose and irritating me ! )

Step 4 - Attach the antenna plug - the tiny plug to the transmitter module within the controller , the larger plug is then screwed on the hole drilled previously.

Step 5 - get a sewing needle and cut a tiny length of it using wire cutters (5mm will do) and insert into the inside hole of the plug (which should now be screwed onto the side of the transmitter). Now plug the appropriate connector (from the WiFi booster pack ) to this, making sure the needle end slots in nicely.

Step 6 - Connect the wire plug to the wifi booster on the end labelled " To Radio " and attach the Antenna to the "To Antenna" end.

Step 7 - .......

Now if you live in the US this may differ but the power source provided has a US wall adapter. I simply cut this wire in the middle , binning the wall plug but keeping the other end (circular plug ).

I stripped the insulation off revealing the positive and negative. This is then soldered to a 5 volt voltage regulator output (2 amp i recommend) . And simply connect the battery of your choice to the voltage regulator input ( I used a 4000 mah 2 cell Lipo I had lying around ! )

 Please note to turn on the booster before the transmitter as I am led to believe it could damage the transmitter module within the transmitter so be careful.

The parts are all available online . Consisting of a Indoor Wifi Booster ( this comes with a Coax cable, Antenna and a US power wall plug adapter) a separate " adapter antenna wire" is required to link the transmitter module within the controller to the booster . 

This modification should " in theory" work with any 2.4Ghz transmitter as long as you can find an adapter ( I think there all standard plugs on the transmitter module) but I know for certain it works with Spektrum controllers , I am yet to try others.

Total Cost around £40 or $63 Ishh

http://www.flyingwings.co.uk/

http://www.ehandfordap.moonfruit.com/

Or visit my youtube channel - Ehandford 

http://www.youtube.com/user/ehandford?feature=mhee

Links for products

Booster - 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2W-Wifi-Wireless-Broadband-Amplifier-Router-2-4Ghz-Power-Range-Signal-Booster-/110845007435?pt=UK_Computing_Other_Computing_Networking&hash=item19cee0964b#ht_5184wt_1168

Adapter - U.FL IPX to SMA Female Pigtail cable 1.13mm for WiFi 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B008AGUTPC/ref=oh_details_o03_s00_i00

Voltage regulator

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=4319

batter I would recommend 

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__6540__ZIPPY_Flightmax_2200mAh_2S1P_20C.html