FPV antenna gain and range explained

What's the easiest way to double the range of your FPV video system? Well you can get a video transmitter that is four times as powerful, or you can get an antenna with 6dB more gain.
This video sets out to explain how "gain" works and why high-gain antennas are best used in conjunction with a diversity controller.
If you have any questions, feel free to ask in the comments and if you found the video useful, please give it a thumbs-up.

[@CrazyHeliDude]

As a PhD in Engineering Technology and RF, I can say I fully and thoroughly enjoyed this video. Love how you used the balloon to illustrate the main RF lobe/pattern and respective gain. Great work.

[@shobanagunasekaran6680]

+CrazyHeliDude : I totally agree with your second sentence!

[@dontreadmyprofilepicture7385]

CrazyHeliDude don't read my channel name

[@eamonnculliton100]

CrazyHeliDude hi, I was wondering what Antenna gain would have been used by the Apollo missions? Would you have any idea what they would have used?

[@servusservorumdei663]

I don't know how this man gets any thumbs down at all. He reminds me of my university/Academy professor....except professor RC Model is fun. He explains everything as elementary as he could, even my 6 year old daughter can learn from him. She likes him a lot actually.

[@daddi926]

Even me understand everything :)

[@MadDragon75]

One word answer. Haters.

[@randallandrews120]

Greetings from Annapolis Maryland, U.S. of A. along the shores of The Chesapeake Bay. Been flying fixed wing War Birds for just over 1 yr.. Going FPV with one. Your vids and your channels have been a huge help and a lot of fun to view. Thank you for your time and efforts.

[@deliciousfewd]

I greatly appreciate the fact that you included the actual, practical ranges with the antennas. Most reviews or explanations of antennas just go into the theoretical ranges compared to other antennas. not the actual distance that you should expect with it. Thank you so much for that!

[@WEEBER13]

Can't believe this was 9 years ago. You were FPV before there was FPV! Good on ya, Bruce!

[@johnwood4816]

Having been in Electronic and Rf for 40 yrs I find your teaching/illustration system excellent , well done.

[@pokies100]

barry has passed away sorry to hear. bruce you have a new opening now to stand. so will many others but if knowing is important to planning then keeping quiets is anti plannning. great video. welcome back. rip barrry H.

[@JohnCuppi]

Learned a lot from this. Recently I put together a 350QX long FPV setup and it's been wonderful. A helical antenna is truly magical.

[@DodgeDitchburn]

Finally a decent explanation of it all! And will keep a lot of us fly legal FPV in the UK!

[@pfiltz]

I'm a new person trying to learn at FPV and I enjoy watching all your videos

[@labcopilot]

Fantastic explanation for those of us that are new to FPV. Eagerly awaiting the 4 channel diversity controller build!

[@drbun]

Man, your explanations are way better and easier to understand than my 1 semester of Applied Emag class. Thank you so much!

[@PhilofSouthport]

A good teacher can make even the most complex process seem simple and you've done that here. Thank You

[@warbirdflyer46]

Great Video for those of use who are getting into FPV. More information in 12 min than I could have gotten searching on the internet in 2 hrs. Thanks.

[@quadswithmods]

7 years later and still referring to your video 👍

[@SmilerBFC]

Great video. Fancy teaching at my university. You are much clearer and easier to understand. !

[@jimsilloway8742]

This is a great explanation of antenna gain, propagation, polar patterns, etc. I learned this many years ago when I was a HAM radio dude and took 2 years of electronics. I used to build giant v beams and rhombic antennas. I am now getting into multi-rotor RC and this just came to me very clear. Thanks for jogging my memory on power versus gain of an antenna. You B da man. Jimdog in Minnesota.

[@808GT]

Excellent and simple explanation, using the balloon is genius.

[@Naamis1]

What a great video. This kind of changes my battle plan an I'm now to switch from more power to more gain. Used your instructions and built myself two helicals. A patch I allready have. Now to tweak my eagletree setup for success! Can't wait for the diversity controller build!

[@lumeah4]

Great vid - so much science simplified in just a few minutes.

[@TheRattleSnake3145]

I'm getting into FPV atm, I'm loving all the FPV vids your doing . Thanks for them!

[@raymondmaher7040]

after watching some of your videos I have a better understanding now of what is required to make a usable fpv system...I recently purchased a WiFi fpv (connects to phone) drone and the fpv was unusable even though the drone is brilliant..you've now got me thinking of making some kind of fpv for the drone in the configurations you show.thanks mate!

[@MadDragon75]

Between you and Mr. Bardwell.... We'll never have a question that doesn't have an answer. 😉

[@redcurated4302]

Best instructional video over a complex subject.

[@gryfandjane]

Excellent illustrations! I'm trying to come to a better understanding of how antennas work, and you've helped a lot. I'm fascinated that a tiny little FPV transmitter that I can hold between two fingers can transmit as far as it can. Thanks!

[@olajideoyekunle9044]

best explanation and practical analogy i've come by. Been following your videos and an ardent subscriber, you make things that seems "un-understandable" look so cheap to the brain to process. Thumbs up! Much appreciation. Looking up to more vidz.

[@TignMeg]

An Excellent instructional video Bruce. Its nice to have the old Bruce back :)

[@richardwallinger1683]

Three months to have my fpv aeroplane released by the Portuguese customs .. now two months waiting for a pusher propeller and lipo batteries .. at 70 years old .. I will probably peg it before I get the chance to try FPV.

[@pornchaipokung8272]

Thank you very much for such in depth video on different kinds of FPV antennas. It was the unknown universe for me 😩, until your in depth info.

[@stevecowell2415]

Excellent video, really well explained. The balloon example really worked. Thank you for taking the time and effort to put this out.

[@bowser197]

I would like one of the 4ch diversity controllers but want to build my own. I will wait for the plans but willing to pay a reasonable price for you to produce them earlier than later. Thanks for all you do for the hobby and educating on various topics.

[@thedragonfarm]

I'm such a nerd lol I love it 👍👍 the way you teach visually is how I learn the best. I'm subscribed and I'll be watching more thanks so much.

[@91zulu]

Bruce it would be nice if you could upgrade this video to explain the new long range antennas or systems being used now. Guys are going out 20 miles and as high as 10,000 feet. I see what looks like Sat stations being used. Could you explain these systems so we could better understand how they work.

[@TracksideNW]

Appreciate you taking the time to explain this in detail. I have a much better understanding of how antennas and gain work. Its much appreciated.

[@rbmwiv]

You have explained gain very well. Very good analogies. Thanks for the great video.

[@akbarshoed]

Fantastic. Now this is what KZbin is all about!

[@mauricegorissen1416]

Thank you for this clear and practical explanation. Really, the best i've seen!

[@sergeantbilko7070]

Great information and explained so well that even a guy like me can understand. haha. I really enjoyed it. Thank you so much.

[@goballistik1]

Thanks a million Bruce. It's always a good experience watching your vids. I am falling deeper and deeper into this rabbit hole of a hobby. Hello sky life! See you in the sky! Michael STONEWULFF

[@wizwooky5877]

Very understandable... I love your videos. Thanks to you I have made my own Cloverleaf's 5.8Ghz and are having so much fun flying multis VIA FPV. THANK YOU!!!!

[@WildCaptures]

That Circular Wireless 5 turn works great and is worth the money👍 Very helpful antenna theory thank you.

[@Frogs77]

Very nice video. Tons of info without getting confused. Thank you.

[@Soldier53flyer]

Great analysis, and demonstration of how varies antennas work! good video! thank you.

[@AsteroidInc]

awesome videos. can't wait for the diy diversity controller video

[@RICARDOJDS93]

Please do that video about the diversity board :D

[@MrEdinaldolaroque]

Thank you very much for your easy-to-understand explanation!

[@MegaWoodss]

Thumbs up - excellent video Bruce, I like your teaching style.

[@Billbobaker]

Nicely explained using good working props.

[@scar76sat]

I love the way you explain things. I see that others agree. I hope you have more content I can learn from. I'm working on building a TV antenna and trying to figure out the best design for my situation. I've already built a yagi tuned for CBC up here in Chatham, Ontario Canada which broadcasts at 186Mhz but I still couldn't receive it. I might be over-driving but there are many factors / variables that could be keeping me from CBC reception. I'm in the process of elimination... thanks for sharing your knowledge and making it easy to digest >

[@FLY_WD_RAGHIL]

Thankyou soooooo much for solving my 80% confusion...ur videos are best to get info

[@52mrdan]

Great FPV info Bruce Thanks keep going!!! Like to see your repair on the Tx to.

[@benthillerup]

Thanks for the video Bruce, you are a very good teacher! Good exampel with the balloon.

[@ducpao]

great video! super informative! thanks for turning on the lights!

[@Marinetechal55]

Excellent Bruce, a perfect explanation, thankyou.

[@nategoodwin3329]

Thank you for the layman's explanation. It was needed.

[@N3krodamus]

Excelent explanation, very clear. Your videos are really instructives, thanks for sharing. Cheers!

[@kenstockton5837]

Thanks for such an informative video. Look forward to viewing more

[@JCRC]

Thank you for your easy to understand explanation. Well done!!

[@orenbous]

Many thanks, you are simple and clear as in all your videos. If you get the chance and will I would love to hear more about "Fractal antennas" and if they can be used in rc ( for example: to improve video rx gain or mixing frequencies on single antenna )

[@TeamBlindMouse]

I liked your video. Nice to be able to visualize the theorey. Yes do please make more.

[@SHUTTHEFUCKUP58]

This is great information !!! Thank you and compliments for all this awesome info !!

[@saxonlight]

Thanks for the speedy reply Bruce.

[@ridgewalkerflys]

Nice explanation video,thanks. Looking forward to the video assembly of the diversity vrx. Would be great if the board and components to complete the build could be sold as a kit to be assembled by the user following your videos as a guide. Keep up the great work Bruce,thank you!

[@harleyofdallas]

Thank you as that was a great explanation and I have a decent grasp on what I should do. Great job!!

[@0917bobb]

Another excellent video Bruce, you should have been a science teacher.

[@victoryfirst2878]

Your model explanation really made it easy for me to understand the subject matter at hand Sir. What I am wondering is how the Ukrainians are able to keep their drones from getting knocked out of the sky with JAMMERS. Could you be able to make a video explaining that technology for us to learn from on KZbin ? Thanks 😀😀😀

[@hammer883333]

Great video. Really looking forward to the DIY diversity controller video. I've been waiting patiently since you first teased us with it in that video a few months ago. Also very interested in the DIY 5.8Ghz Rx. I'm hoping we will be able to build a full 4 antenna diversity ground station (antennas, diversity controller, Rx's) for the same cost as a Commercial diversity controller alone. High hopes but if you build every thing yourself I think it's possible. Keep up the great work, thanks

[@mattyandjo]

Great video! Finally understand gain, many thanks!

[@RCHELIBUG]

Very well explained, ive learnt a lot from your video.

[@ecleveland1]

Great explanation, thanks.

[@Refused27]

this video was extremely useful! thank you so much

[@dalvynegron1938]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@RogerAllisonJones]

Bloody good video Bruce. Thanks.

[@karlsue]

excellent an informative as ever cheers Bruce

[@Marinetechal55]

Sorry my apologises......you guys are the best.

[@Skilzz31]

Thank you for this explanation!!!

[@kennybode]

Thanks , I did learn a lot from the video

[@johngraboski]

You're golden, Bruce! Many thanks!!

[@moyenaak]

Love your video, they are great!!

[@DanMill84]

A very helpful excellent video as usual. Good luck with the flying wings drama mate

[@dagwood64]

Hi Bruce, I built the FPV back pack by following your build and it works wonderful. I can't seem to find your 4 channel diversity build. I'm really enjoying building my own electronics, I don't know if it is any cheaper building them but I get much more enjoyment and satisfaction out of them, knowing I built them myself. Thanks Jim from Maine, north eastern USA.

[@joeco5582]

Thank you for the excellent info and a great model, back to the drawing board...

[@Zodaz86]

Awesome video as usual

[@Drtool3]

Thank you great explanation. Maybe diversity controller set up next please. Great job

[@SYNFPVPILOT]

Great information for all levels. Cheers!

[@tsviper]

Hei Bruce, nice video, love your work kep up the good work. Greetings from the other side of the world, Norway.

[@jessebaker6032]

Youre like the obiwan of FPV

[@fraaggl]

Yoda would have been a little insulting...

[@crazycrow3378]

great info. thanx and keep up the great work!

[@alexisrazon6239]

This is great! Thanks for taking the time in making this video. It's much appreciated. Now if you could only explain polarization... :)

[@blakey271able]

Very informative and understandable thanks I'm just starting to build my first drone

[@Coachnickhawley1]

Great explanation!! Thank you!

[@aphfilm]

Really great explanation, cheers!

[@robopony]

Great video Bruce -- glad to see some new stuff from you again! Would you consider being my honorary grandpa?

[@JR-kk6ce]

Excellent video.

[@HuwFerris-John]

brilliant as always! and very simple

[@tbvdb]

Great video! You definitely know your stuff!

[@skarebsuper]

thank you for the excellent video, so much to learn!

[@edmari440]

Thanks for the info... Great help.

[@dhardjono]

Very nice now i know more about attenna

[@updootIreland]

That was excellent, thank you!