Crossfire Antennas | Are you doing it wrong?

[@swissfreek]

A comment on orientation not really mattering at close ranges: I once had a wing failsafe on me at just over a mile, which was unusual. It turned around and came back a little way and I got link back, continued to fly around the park, then landed. When I went to investigate the failsafe, I found that the antenna had broken off at the u.FL connector in a previous crash. So, I had a solid CrossFire link all the way up to 1 mile, with NO antenna!

[@Its_Mee_Bee]

That’s what I mean about the robustness of crossfire. If you’re flying close you will likely be just fine with nearly any orientation. I wouldn’t call a mile close, though 🤣

[@swissfreek]

BrOverbee well that’s the thing, I had to go a mile to notice there was a problem! Who knows how long I was flying like that until one day I decided to stretch my legs. In my engineering mind, I know that CrossFire isn’t actually magic, and the laws of physics still apply, but the emotional part of my brain thinks it’s pretty freaking close...

[@huzafah_]

Wild

[@sunsetpark_fpv]

Hey BrOverbee - I've watched this video in the past and watching it again today - I appreciate it just as much as the first time. The way you present your opinions and your examples and your POV in general is just GREAT. I wish that you were making quad videos like this still. Hope that you're doing good. Be well.

[@Its_Mee_Bee]

Thanks! I’m glad you find it useful. One of the things about life is nothing ever stays the same. I still fly from time to time, but my video making days are over. Thankfully, YT stores them all for whomever. Best of luck out there!

[@tsunami6253]

Thank you for making this video. I'm really new to FPV drone and was thinking of the different ways to mount the antenna. You've just cleared the air

[@Its_Mee_Bee]

Glad I could help! Have fun out there

[@MUNKYFPV]

Yep totally agree, for racing and freestyle where you don’t intend flying more than a couple miles out it’s better to set antennas up for protection rather than optimal transmission/reception so you can bash on the quad without damaging them as easily. Something else I’ve started doing is soldering the multi standard wire together on the very end then glue the little rubber caps back on. It doesn’t seem to have a noticeable affect on range and stops the antenna splaying apart if it gets a prop strike.

[@Its_Mee_Bee]

I might amend your first comment to say “...more than a couple [hundred yards]...”, but you get the gist. Thanks for watching!

[@mikebergman1817]

Thank you for the explanation!! I've been trying to find info on the bardpole setup, and you nailed it for me. Thank you for making this! Subbed!

[@Its_Mee_Bee]

Happy to help!

[@frequentlyfascinated]

Just wanted to say, I appreciate the candid coverage of discussion points without any of the hyperbole often included elsewhere

[@Its_Mee_Bee]

Thanks!

[@h-dawg969]

I have the immortal T. The only issue is that the little plastic end but seems to have gone. Must have touched the prop. I’m so relieved hearing you say that it won’t matter if that little bit has gone. My quad still flies fine and I’ve not noticed any drop in range or anything. I have guna replace the immortal T but it seems I don’t really need to which is ideal.

[@Its_Mee_Bee]

You’ll be fine without them. You can always add a little heat shrink to the end if you want to. If your antenna is physically damaged, however, you should replace it.

[@jordannovek2911]

Excellent video, very well explained . I look forward to the next crsf video. Thx

[@PortalFPV]

Love it! If you're using Crossfire, no one is right & no one is wrong....Yay! ;D

[@Its_Mee_Bee]

It’s such a great system

[@alora_pan]

Oh My Gosh, Man, Your explaining is just so very well clear and on point. I just learn something from you!! Thank you! and I'm so agree with your opinions BTW : )

[@Its_Mee_Bee]

Glad you found it helpful :)

[@martybaecker5612]

Hey Brandon,,,,,,enjoyed your video. I am not to the point of long range flying but of course am interested. There is just so much potential in this rc hobby that it is hard to pick a direction and stay realistically focused:-). Though my flying maturity is considerably behind you, much of what you have said regarding any antenna placement still helps me in confirming issues I am currently experiencing and corrective thoughts I am considering. Thanks again for taking the time to prepare and produce your videos. I can imagine the fun you are having sharing at your level. Keep up the good work.

[@maceliusfpv370]

Basically, if you need maximum range/performance you want them vertical and aligned, if you're not pushing the limits anything that works well enough is fine, you loose some db when they're not aligned, but it still works fine, and if you're doing flippy floppies it's gonna make little difference anyway.

[@Its_Mee_Bee]

That’s essentially the point I’m making yes. Purists will tell you that alignment with your transmitter antenna is a requirement and anything else is heresy - in fact, some of them made their triggered presence known in the comments. The reason the flexibility on orientation I explained in this video is OK for Crossfire is predominately due to the frequency that Crossfire operates at relative to your proximity to the aircraft.

[@MrRolloTamasi]

Thanks for collecting and sharing - very helpful!

[@Its_Mee_Bee]

You’re welcome!

[@irishlostboy]

Having recently changed my quad over to Crossfire, I have been having nothing but good experiences. I am wondering, as a quad pilot, how should I interpret the low end of my LQ limits. I am afraid to push it that much further than I would go on my old FrSky, as I am flying out past the point where I could reasonably retrieve the quad. So far I have gone out to the point where my LQ goes down to about 1:40. Once it gets there I freak out and turn back. I still have perfect video and control. I am just wondering, at what LQ do you start getting worried and decide you are at your comfortable limit? I am not after "how to get the farthest", I just want advice on interpreting the LQ in my goggles. Thanks for the informative hype-free video. appreciated.

[@Its_Mee_Bee]

Here’s a video I did on how to interpret the crossfire stats. The short answer is you can go much further than you think. Once crossfire changes from 150Hz mode it stops displaying LQ in the 100-300 range and begins displaying it in the 0-100 range. At that point it gets a bit complicated for a KZbin comment answer. Watch this video where i explain it all in detail, and feel free to share with your friends. m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/paOkc2Vqj9Kcetk

[@changeagent228]

Hi whats your max range with the mini mortal t? I have one and it only has 63 rssi at point blank range and then it drops off to the low 20s after 100m.

[@Its_Mee_Bee]

Hi, thanks for watching. I use my mini-T on a small 3in racing trainer, so I’m never more than 60m from my quad at any time. There are a few things to check. What telemetry sensor are you using as your “RSSI” on your OSD? Do you have that sensor appropriately mapped on your crossfire settings and your radio? If you’re not using LQ, then you have selected the wrong value on the crossfire side.

[@wolfefpv]

Go VTech! I went to UVA, but my niece went to Tech. Awesome seeing something which reminds me of home! Oh yeah, great vid, too! 😉

[@kenschulz5138]

Good morning Thank you for your video Can I use a extension between the crossfire rx and the antenna. I want to move both of my antenna farther away from all electronics on my wing plus can I change the antenna as will. Like from wire to the T one.

[@Its_Mee_Bee]

TBS offers several different antenna types for the RX, and they have some with longer leads than others for this very reason. Check the TBS website for their options, you can replace the wire-type with one of the longer lead immortal T styles. I wouldn’t personally use an extension to make a lead longer, though, especially if the goal is long range.

[@momo.ru-kun]

What happens if you use a 2.4ghz antenna on Crossfire TX?

[@Its_Mee_Bee]

It won’t work well, if at all

[@RockTalkFM]

Hi would this work, with 2 Helium antenna’s at 9mhz ?

[@Its_Mee_Bee]

I’m not sure what a Helium antenna is or how you plan to use it, but the principals of antenna orientation are the same regardless of application. For best reception you want the transmitting and receiving antennas to always be co-planar (same orientation). If you’re putting these on a freestyle drone for park flying, you can usually do whatever works best within reason and common sense. If you plan to fly at range, go for best reception.

[@TRexHeliPilot]

Informative video. Just starting to get into mid-long range flying. Fear of fail-safes at distance has always held me back. Can't wait to learn how to interpret SNR and LQ so that I know when I should consider to return to home.

[@Its_Mee_Bee]

I remember my first one mile flight. I was so scared when I launched, and so pumped when I landed! It’s hard to believe, but it gets mundane after a while. Make sure you have the “optimal” antenna placement when you do go far though...it’s far more critical then!

[@TheOuterDrive]

i dont understand why the crossfire orientation matters when the drone is always changing its position while flying..

[@Its_Mee_Bee]

That’s what I said in the video, and why my personal belief is that for freestyle flying orientation doesn’t really matter as long as you’re not shielding the antenna by placing it in the body or behind a battery. Basic radio principles still exist regardless of how you’re using them though: the best signal is attained when the antennas on the TX and RX are aligned. If you plan to long range, you need to factor this in to account or at least be fully prepared to lose the craft. For long range flying, you shouldn’t really be flying freestyle at those distances. Good luck and have fun.

[@minkorrh]

Have XFire and ELRS. Always align my Tx antenna with the Rx of the quad (horizontal) Never had a failsafe, even at distance (2-3 km). According to common belief, 'L' configs sacrifice a little range while ensuring a link regardless of quad orientation. I did the L thing and switched back to the T thing and have seen no difference.

[@Its_Mee_Bee]

Yep, I agree. That’s why I said what I said in this video. 2-3km is mid-range flight. If you want to push farther out, your best option is a diversity arrangement and orienting accordingly. Again, the whole point is that Crossfire is heckin’ powerful and for 98% of users it doesn’t matter how you orient your antenna.

[@jasonstation]

Thank you. Crossfire are great, but their lack of instructions: not so great.

[@Its_Mee_Bee]

Glad you found it helpful!

[@egtreadway4232]

Thanks for video, I'm using crossfire diversity receiver on a flying wing and wondering if I could use a micro immortal L and a immortal t together with this receiver. Thanks again

[@Its_Mee_Bee]

I wouldn’t. The micro antenna’s aren’t really very good, especially if you’re going to pair it with a regular antenna. I would stick to two of the same antenna type.

[@danyel3901]

What is the difference between a crossfire antenna included in the Nano SE kit (receiver + immortal T antenna) and the Immortal T V2 antenna which is stated to be more powerful and stronger .. Thinking to mount this on the Nano rx for a 7" long range. Or is the SE antenna the same as appears more flimsy and OK for a smaller quad.

[@Its_Mee_Bee]

The SE is likely the V1 antenna and the difference between the V1 and V2 is a different cross piece housing (stronger) and the use of a balun. I’ve taken the V1 out 2 miles, you’ll be fine with either provided you orient it correctly for long range.

[@miguelquiroz1550]

Good content...Keep it up!

[@Its_Mee_Bee]

Thanks!

[@chrisfpv5706]

i get continuity on both sides lol ive tested my imortal t with one prong on the topside of the ufl and the other prong one one of the t lead and i get continuity on both sides

[@Its_Mee_Bee]

If you have one of the new ones with a Bal-Un, then this will happen. It’s nothing to worry about and your antenna orientation doesn’t matter with regard to + / - relative to ground. Orientation is still important for distance, but it doesn’t matter which is oriented up.

[@egtreadway4232]

One last question, how are you protecting the bottom of antenna during landings, I can't really make it out from photo. Thanks

[@Its_Mee_Bee]

It doesn’t get protected, it hangs free. The antenna is NOT fragile though. As long as you’re landing gentle it’s just fine

[@egtreadway4232]

Ok thanks, you have a new subscriber, I may need some advice later but using crossfire micro tx v2 and nano receiver and my range sucks. I'm in process of replacing the receiver and remount antenna like you have done and see if that helps. Thanks

[@Its_Mee_Bee]

Look me up on fpvchat.slack.com, username Bee. It’ll be easier for convo’s that way.

[@lorenzocascone2038]

great congrats ! so for a long range 5" build, do you think the crossfire antenna it works better far from the vtx antenna on the back ? and can i use the bardpole for this quad ??

[@Its_Mee_Bee]

If your goal is range, the antennas should be as far from each other as is feasible. That being said, the spectrums are very different from each other (900MHz vs 5.8HGz). A BARDpole is just a crossfire compatible antenna, the type of drone doesn’t matter as long as there’s plenty of room.

[@egtreadway4232]

What a great video Thanks, I'm new to crossfire but not to wings it seems like by inserting the mortal t antenna through one of the wings that you would loose surface area of one side of antenna? Right now I have my mortal t mounted vertical on the side of the fin of my c1 chaser but the range sucks I'm very disappointed. What kind of range are you getting with your setup on this wing? Thanks again

[@Its_Mee_Bee]

Normal range for me (inside 1mi). I’ve never experienced any loss of range. My video cuts out first.

[@lukasweidner7328]

Im wondering what would be better... A minimortal t or a regular antenna in a V shape? Its for a toothpick

[@Its_Mee_Bee]

I think a miniT would be best. A standard antenna is so long, it can still get damaged. I have a miniT in my TinyTrainer and it’s almost imperceptible

[@BrodeOne]

Did you test what range of your quad in the worst antenna position? On 250mW?

[@Its_Mee_Bee]

Define worst. There are a lot of other antenna positions that could be used, but who’s to say which is worst for each specific application. As long as you’re not wrapping the antenna in foil or stuffing the elements in the frame, you’ll be fine for close proximity freestyle. If you want to push range, orient them vertical.

[@GioFpv]

So If I want to mount an immortal T in front of a deadcat frame and a Tbs bardpol vertical on the back, am I doing it wrong? considering that despite the way i run the antenna on my radio it wont be aligned to one or the other antenna on the quad being different orientation, is that correct? at that stage, if it's not that ideal that way, should I just mount 2 immortal T horizzontal 1 on the front and 1 on the back? is this second style more effecient then the first?

[@Its_Mee_Bee]

I’d need a little more information to be able to help. Are you setting up for freestyle or long range? Are you running a standard Crossfire nano, or a diversity nano?

[@GioFpv]

@@Its_Mee_Bee sorry I should have be more clear. The setup it’s for long range, running the diversity receiver.

[@Its_Mee_Bee]

No worries. If you want to do long range, I don’t recommend putting on on the nose of your craft. Run two bardpoles off the sides at 45deg, above the frame and battery. It’ll look like giant bug antenna, but you’ll have really clear signal. Which frame is it?

[@GioFpv]

@@Its_Mee_Bee it’s the iflight chimera7”. Unfortunately I own only 1 bard pole and several immortalT. I was wondering whether it would be more effective running 2 immortal t horizontal or 1 immortal plus the bardpole

[@Its_Mee_Bee]

@@GioFpv no worries. Just use two immortal t’s mounted vertically, in a V shape. There are some cool tpu mounts to help do this. www.thingiverse.com/thing:3471900

[@Stashmanfpv]

Excellent! ✌🏼

[@Its_Mee_Bee]

Thanks!

[@Lord_of_the_poor]

Sick vid dude

[@Its_Mee_Bee]

Thanks

[@TheblackraddishFPV]

nice, thanks for the information

[@Its_Mee_Bee]

Glad you found it useful!

[@nerdCopter]

+1👍 real-world practice 💪

[@EnglishTurbines]

Dipoles should be set vertical...The "Immortal Tee" is just a Dipole....The End...😳🤔🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@Its_Mee_Bee]

Thanks for playing!

[@oldanalog_synth9244]

Thank you from germany :-)

[@Its_Mee_Bee]

Happy to help!

[@h2o-fpv623]

Great video and I subscribe 😀

[@Its_Mee_Bee]

Thanks!

[@randybull01]

Antenna orientation does matter. If your TX antenna is horizontal then your receiver should be the same. Yes you can get away with flying in the park with it different, but if that's all you do then you might as well stick with 5.8GHz and it's much smaller antennas. If you really want to understand antenna orientation go find a ham radio book and read the section on antennas.

[@Its_Mee_Bee]

Hi Randy. What I said in the video is exactly what you said, minus the 5.8GHz part. This isn’t a video on general antenna orientation - it’s specific to crossfire. Thanks for watching.

[@timcable]

it appears that did not watch his video in its entirety? he explains all that you are saying.

[@Its_Mee_Bee]

@@timcable Most likely he’s coming from many years of short-wave radio and fixed wing RC. People who have spent a lot of time in those hobbies are often very particular about the “right” way to do things, especially antenna placement. Any deviation from what’s “correct” and they’re likely to gatekeep you about it. In the hobby of FPV miniquads, it’s far less important because of 1) the flight styles of FPV pilots and 2) the frequencies that we’re operating on with a system like Crossfire. Most likely, he was triggered by the video, said his piece demonstrating his superiority, and moved on to gatekeep somebody else. Thanks for watching!

[@coltonrooster]

Chewed mine up first day...

[@Its_Mee_Bee]

Happens to everyone, at some point

[@coltonrooster]

@@Its_Mee_Bee 😅 WELL we all have the learning curve...

[@Gabriel-qh5yv]

yous r right in quad fly is not a correct position do to flying positions off the quad will rear be in perfect line with tx antenna :)

[@Its_Mee_Bee]

Sorry man, I have no idea what you are trying to say

[@Gabriel-qh5yv]

I have been smooke to much that day... sorry... i mean in the coment about the position off the antennas... in theory the quad in flying time flips and roles.. so not all the time it is gone by vertical or horizontal to the transmission antenna... what i was see in your video... wich i really enjoyed was useful informations for me... Thanks :)

[@KAREKINFPV]

The L is so bad. Especially on a freestyle. I don’t think Steele even does it anymore. I chops all the time.

[@Its_Mee_Bee]

I agree. The immortal T is easy enough to buy and is very durable

[@chatdeau_]

Bread

[@Its_Mee_Bee]

It’s a wonderful thing

[@chatdeau_]

@@Its_Mee_Bee yes 🤧

[@1980starman]

iam 514 )

[@Its_Mee_Bee]

Congrats!