How to fly long range fpv and not lose your investment

[@captainsledge7554]

Keep in mind wind direction.... some people can fly out only using 40 percent of the battery but don't notice wind speed is going to be against them on the way back. So they end up burning more battery on the route back. Start out small and build experience. You will have more fun that way. Going miles out is same amount of fun as flying around close range. Experience and time in the air will pay off in the long run.

[@KenKneknaneek]

Nice demo thank you. I would have gone up about 150 - 200 feet and done the same thing as you did. At that height I find it easier to spot houses and roads and trees if any for land marks. The compass is always a good thing to have installed too. Happy Flying

[@Jrod_FPV]

one tip i like is to turn around often. 1 - it makes sure your signals stay strong with 180 orientation, and 2 - it helps you see and remember landmarks for when you're headed back in to land.

[@VORT3XFPV]

That was a great demo of LOS. Shows how you can be 100 feet away and completely lose video, or be a mile out and crystal clear.

[@KittFPV]

Seriously tho, really made a lasting point there at the end when he dipped under the hill. And I even consciously was thinking about that lesson earlier tonight when I was playing around with terraces about a half mile out. Video can be such tricky business, but if you mind a few important common sense rules you're gonna have a good time :)

[@rubberchickenfpv5147]

Good job Eric, I do it like when i go hiking I turn around every so often to see were I've come from. That way it's familiar on the return trip home. The way people get lost hiking is they're always looking forward and when they turn around to head home it doesn't look right and they take a wrong turn!

[@rc-hr8oi]

what about GPS & heading

[@rubberchickenfpv5147]

Even with GPS & heading Eric still noted different landmarks on his outward trip just in case of tech failure. With all the technology of to day people are still getting lost all the time! Maybe they're not adept in using tech tools correctly or it's fake news! LOL. If all else fails old school has worked before and will continue to work!

[@KittFPV]

RubberChickenFPV - amen brotha

[@rc-hr8oi]

Yes, noting the landmarks behind you is actually quite smart and not only for FPV flights.

[@ChileVuela]

Good video! A couple things to add. My top tips after doing this for a year and a half: oriente yourself (which you covered), fly with a spotter, have a level-mode on a switch for when you lose LOS, and do a pre-flight check of the quad before you fly.

[@EricKonasty]

+Chile Vuela spotters are always good if you have one

[@chemistt]

Hey Eric, I see you are on a right path to long range. Ive been flying long range for 2 years now and I went 10 times further than you (no lost UAVs). The game changed with quads but the rules are basically the same. Few things I think could help you get much further are watching antenna polarisation on RX and antenna radiation pattern on VTX antenna. Also I would add that yes, you have to be higher but you have to see along the whole path you want to fly. Its very important as one blind spot can kill your quad. Also very important is the retrieval equipment.

[@chemistt]

for the antenna polarisation - the best is vertical V. Its very important because the antenna you had was L. So the part that is pointing at you (as an arrow) is useless (its her blind spot). You will never fly with your quad pointing down to the ground but you will doo the "surf" moves so as you bank - for one side one antenna will match your TX and on the other side the other. Thats the vertical V.

[@chemistt]

The VTX radiation pattern of your pagoda is a donut. Its like you stick a donut on your pagoda. The empty hole inside is where the signal is the worst and you basically has the hole facing you. On such short flights, it does not matter, but if you went 2mi for example, you would see that when you are going away from you, you have worse reception than when your quad is facing you with its side.

[@chemistt]

And the retrieval equipment its mostly the "thnak god" stuff. Like a beeper on quad. Thats very useful. Also the setting on ESC to beep motors in inactivity. And last...if you use DVR.....is also useful a small GPS module - just to record the coordinates on the long range flights.

[@serval_fpv]

kennuardo hartinger good info cheers dude;)

[@Louishouiller]

you say you have to be higher... what if you are lower, for e.g at the bottom of a valley but fly up?

[@MisterJDee]

Also, always have an 'OUT'. When... you loose video signal one day, know what you are going to do if that happens. I'll going to pull back and punch up to get altitude, or I'm going to turn 90* cause it gives me a better antenna line. Or I'm just going to activate failsafe and start walking. I've lost a few quads over water, now whenever I do long flights over water, I zip tie polystyrene to my frame so it floats. That gives me a chance to retrieve it.

[@fatal510]

I just flip the flight mode to angle, give it a punch out, and pray.

[@SimonBrisbane]

Good overview. Just one point, @ 7:40 Circular polarisation is not the same thing as 360 degree reception. They are two completely different things. Circular polarisation is referring to how the RF radiation is propagated (and subsequent received), 360 degree reception (while theoretically impossible) what we are talking about is the directional properties or gain of the antenna. An antenna that receives signal from almost all directions is called omnidirectional and will have a low signal gain, it is analogous to a 360 degree camera in FPV. A unidirectional antenna such as a patch antenna or yagi is a high gain antenna but it has a very narrow reception angle, or like a narrow FOV in FPV.

[@andresdelgado6778]

Eric thank you very much man, what a down to earth sincere and complete review of how to venture FPV freestyle safely.You sound like you really care for somebody's else well being and fortunes in this hobby/art/science of FPV flying. Cheers from the high deserts of SoCal

[@peterpav603]

I love how you're calling quad an investment. Makes me think it's ok to spend my money on it xD

[@kornbread5359]

Peter Pav if you make money back from it. It is investment. Get some good footage put it on youtube (:

[@misinterpreted6395]

Only an investment if you choose to make it one! The choice is yours.

[@garrettkensler451]

It can only be called an investment if it makes you money. Otherwise it's a liability. So make sure not loose your drone and monetize the footage on youtube, or else it just becomes a plan ol liability.

[@slowridefpv9668]

Lol, I told my wife for awhile my motorcycle track days were “safety classes”. Worked until it didn’t.

[@AuBo97]

A happiness investment. Even if you have a BNF it still feels like nurturing it to life 😁

[@furulevi]

Now that's a clear FPV video...

[@jeffsmith6187]

Hey man just wanted to drop by real quick to say thank you and let you know your video helped help me out a lot. Thank you my friend. Take Care Jeff

[@slickfpv1772]

1st thing you need for long range, is a GPS Sensor and TBS Crossfire Module (long range up to 100km). GPS will give you coordinates (in case you crash your drone) and many other informations, such as altitude, compass, speed, flight direction ect. and you can setup a "GPS RESCUE MODE" with Betaflight. When you lose the signal of your Video and activate the GPS Rescue Mode, the drone will return to your position, by itself.

[@EricKonasty]

Didn’t have this available when I was flying yes ago

[@properorientation]

Good tips. Im going to try half mile tomorrow. Im on a gps drone for now but flying fpv. Ive done over a quarter mile but just upgraded my antenna so ill see how it goes. Thanks for the tips

[@1randyharbin]

Great video, reinforced everything I knew, the only thing I would add that may not have seemed obvious to some is that you are working to keep good directionality towards where you are flying for long range, high dB directional gain doesn't help if you allow the direction to drift too much.

[@Taufik.Moktar]

Im using tbs unify v3 800mw and my goggle using antenna vas ion patch and circularly polarized and furios true d v3.8. But my video feed just around 600-700meter be clear and above than that distance my video feed will worst. Im fly with open space. And tips how to improve the distance.

[@timcable]

same here - 800 meters and video starts making me nervous

[@KittFPV]

So excited about this video man! I got bit by the Crossfire bug too.... and am freaking loving it! If you were to run the T antenna on the tx, would you have it vertical or horizontal? Great tips about always running DVR, I don't understand why people don't in the first place. It was the only reason I found my quad last night after it went hiding in some super tall grass and the battery flew off. Also, definitely a huge fan of the earbud. I stopped running one once for a couple weeks and was not near as confident. I went out maybe 1/4 mile and it just sucked. Hearing the throttle level through the motors helps so much. So so so important to log landmarks at the beginning and as you go! ...to sync your GoPro audio with the DVR, duplicate the DVR clip, mute the one you are using for video, and then move the "dvr audio clip" back 1 second. Then line the punchouts up. For some reason the DVR records audio with like a 1 second delay (or it's one second ahead, I can't remember now). Peace bro!!

[@ricardopr54]

Real long range FPV is done with fixed wings aircrafts, although all your advises really applies to any attempt of long range FPVing. 👍👍👍

[@mybobize]

ricardopr54 Haha fpv wings are so great for long range.

[@dhnsh1843]

ricardopr54 Why fixed wing ?

[@hendrik289]

They are more efficient than quadcopters and need less battery for flying long distances

[@TheCamaro5]

you have one motor vs four plus speed

[@clayman1405]

I would have to say fix wing aircraft is the easiest way if you like easy

[@scrub8353]

Awesome.. learned a lot Brother.. I'm going to share..ty for taking the time and posting.. I'm actually going to build and fly this overland way..ty

[@sadistix82]

Thank you for consistently producing content with genuine and original information. Much appreciated!

[@EricKonasty]

+Hammad Anees thanks for watching man!!

[@LazerLord10]

Meanwhile my quad failsafes around 100 meters.

[@alphayt6434]

😂😂😂

[@dronerant]

Great vid. Other consideration is wind, go against it on the way out so you get a tail wind returning.

[@Nicholas666able]

Great video but how do others fly into buildings and way up mountains into valleys and such

[@byebye9785]

I'm still new at this, maybe two hours flight time (too busy). I have always wondered if there was any practical use for the microphones that are included, besides satisfying my younger daughter, who complained of no sound on my CX-10 nano quadcopter video footage. Even my very first camera equipped aircraft, a 2010 helicopter which didn't even transmit FPV video, still recorded audio to its internal memory. I'm guessing it's just because the mic is bundled in with the camera hardware, but I like it being there.

[@rc-hr8oi]

Great video. But I have a question. Since your transmitting antenna is vertical polarization, why would you waste one of diversity receiving antennas for horizontal polarization? That would never happen unless you rotate your transmitter sideways.

[@Kiwin412]

One time I tried to fly about 1.5km (1mile) and as you said I did not think at all about the battery left for return. Thankfully, I crashed. So no need for the drone to come back but for my car to get there. Nice video by the way, informative.

[@EricKonasty]

+Kiwin I’m glad you got it back! Thanks dude :)

[@steelrainfpv3383]

Great video tutorial and tips on long range flight brother, I just picked up the TBS JR Crossfire module system myself and I'm going to try my hand at miniquad long range by converting my old ImmersionRc Vortex into a 6 inch long range cruiser. I've had experience and good luck with the EZUHF system and 1.3ghz video before on bigger AP rigs for over twenty minute flights, so I'm glad they're making things smaller and more user friendly more the miniquad fpv market.

[@patrickcurram9763]

I can’t wait until I can fly that far !! Just got into fpv and can only get 150 meters with my shit setup lol still fun for indoor adventures. This is just the next level

[@Politicallyhomeless957]

DVR has recovered a few craft for me. Listen to the man!

[@ianrice1778]

I have always heard of the konasty flip but never seen your videos . Well thankfully I'm here now :)

[@davephantom]

Brilliant! The best FPV I've seen, expert control - you should be part of a Big Motion Picture crew.

[@EricKonasty]

+Dave Phantom thank you! I wish I could find some of those jobs

[@jkoeberlein1]

Brilliant! I've always wanted to do long range flights but it seemed like everybody lost one. Practice in measured steps!

[@ptuxbury]

Great tips. I just picked up a Crossfire system, and this will help me for sure. Thanks!

[@EricKonasty]

+Patrick Tuxbury awesome!! Thanks

[@helibladerunner74]

Great video Lots of good basic information Having lost a fixed wing long range FPV set up before I appreciate your video and hopefully others just getting into this will go through all the steps for preflight to have a successful flight Keep em coming

[@joepdarrow]

Turn the quad around on your way out and check the markers from the direction you'll be returning from. Mar.kers look different coming back than going out

[@jeffbrewster4024]

great video- very informative on this topic. I am going to buy a long range setup within the next couple of months and am considering the crossfire micro. This is mostly for the lower price. what would be the furthest distance you could push the micro and how does that compare to the original crossfire. thanks!

[@angeloreese9299]

Happy new year, I just watched your video on how to avoid loosing drone and would like to ask how did you loose drone over the hill. I have been flying airplanes and helicopters , small indoor drones. Would like to get int drones qnd would like your advice on the subject of what’s go to start with that I can advance , also would like to learn more about tbs system I have only flown in line of sight, thanks.

[@freepilot1019]

Not sure if you mentioned it Eric, but a good VTX for distance is a must. Your Vid was well done and mature and to the point, Good job!

[@EricKonasty]

+Freepilot101 always a must. Thanks man

[@billhamilton2366]

There are GPS locators to tell you where your drone is if it gets lost and there are also devices that will bring your drone back to the start location when the battery gets low. @ mile range is nothing these days. I know a guy who has a 30 mile radius drone. Lots of power and it is sweet.. Monitors everything and his antenna array is on a telescopic pole that gets them up high. He has flown his drone to just over 40,000 feet but it got into the jet and it was taken about 80 miles before he could get out, but he still had contact. Couldn't get back so he used his GPS locator and there it was in a field safe. Lots of $ in his drone but it works great and is easy to fly. It will hover all day in one spot and will avoid you if you come too close. It will even phone home using a cell connection. Once it was all built he made a streamlined cover for the thing and all the electronics re spring mounted to protect from hard shock landings.

[@rhielfpv4371]

Thanks for great video, I just confuse your TBS micro antenna reciever mounted with perpendicular 90 deg . As I know the antenna is dipole not diversity...

[@j.finesseflights1403]

Another main thing to remember is know where you are stationed at!! If you don't know where you are at you can't find your way back!!

[@EricKonasty]

+J.FINESSE FLIGHTS that’s what I was saying with know your orientation and landmarks

[@j.finesseflights1403]

Ya, my bad! I'm a lil slo!! Lol

[@mrwilliamdmoss]

I would like to setup a long range offshore RC fishing boat, I have no idea what I need to purchase. I mean from radio to ESC to receiver. Where might I find a list of equipment I would need to make a nice little RC fishing vessel for a large lake and off shore? Ideas? 500 + yds is the goal is this reasonable? FPV is not required just boat control.. Thanks!

[@mavenfpv7843]

Great video! What VTX and antenna on ur quad are u using? Almost lost my quad on the weekend flying through a quarry when I lost video when I turned around to head back. Lucky I was taking mental notes like u suggest and found it! Do u have any actions on loss video? Flick to angle and try power up?? Thanks

[@EricKonasty]

+matt wintle tbs unify 800mw and pagoda. I have a video I can post on video that’s a good example on video loss when I lose video I take my last input basically and level out on the sticks and throttle up into signal

[@DroneMaverick]

Would be nice if TBS made a mini repeater where you could drop it off a mile out and get even more range. Water treatment plants put repeaters on water towers to control the flow of water remotely.

[@youeladamas7840]

very nice tips for ranged would you recommend using 2 directional antenna to make a wide long range angle ? Also would you say fly a pack in long range area then do your freestyle session like walking the place you fly before in normal range sessions?

[@EricKonasty]

+youel adamas yeah for really long range I would suggest not using a cp antenna. But for stuff like thins only half mile out you can use it especially if you fly past yourself like I did. Freestyle can be done in this range also do it on the way back once you’ve know your area

[@SirBeauJangles]

Did you try those parabolic reflectors I've seen on DJI controllers with twin antennae? Apparently those are very effective. Something I (almost) learned the hard way, not to get greedy for distance if the wind's in the bird's face coming home. (A story that nearly everybody tells)

[@Gartneren1234]

In my local area, long range flying has become a real problem with drone pilots challenging both themselves and their drones. My city is centered around a major hill, on top of which rests a now disused TV-antenna, which dominates our skyline. Because the antenna, which features a roughly 80metre high tower underneath it open to the public, is located at this site, it has grown into an ideal runway for drone pilots from all over the county. As if that were not enough, there are very few hills and mountains around, meaning that if you keep your drone high enough, you can theoretically keep on flying into pretty much forever. Heard of one dude who got his drone 6km away, only to crash it into a ferry when he was trying to brag about his skills, and drowned his drone.

[@satyanpatel6403]

This is an awesome learning video. Great information and great video footage. I am curious, how does JohnnyFPV or like that Steele FPV guy do abandon building barn storming with no video loss? I mean they go deep deep into huge abandon buildings and they have the same FPV in the bottom right corner that we can see and they have no video loss. Just curious. Awesome video on learning. I do FPV and have been flying for quite sometime and even I learned something..

[@EricKonasty]

Tbs unify 800mw

[@archeryhardcore5162]

im liking this type a video im looking to try a long range flight, what kind of distance can i get with my dx8 with my tbs unify pro hv, and spektrum diversity 3.3 reciever, running fat sharks with laforge a cross antenna and circular antenna thanks much

[@EricKonasty]

+Archeryhardcore not very far on a spektrum receiver

[@davephantom]

Hello Eric, I watched the Assassin's Creed film a couple of nights ago, then watched the 'making' of the film. One of the main stuntmen was found on KZbin - so you never know! Why not a Drone Aerial Surveying company?

[@vladoportos]

nice tips... also one more from me, if its windy and you fly back against the wind it will eat your battery more and take more time... make sense when I say it, but happens some time that people fly like they think they know they can be up for 5 min... so in their heads its 2.30min there and 2.30 back...ending in crash :)

[@briankoch7041]

I've just started building the long range ones cheaper because loss is inevitable for me. i'm getting 1.5 miles on a xsr mounted under a motor with proper antennas no where near any carbon, i've switched to fiberglass frames. 10 dollar 600mw vtx's with a good 7 turn helical receive antenna. I lower d gain as much as possible to keep current low, i usually can do under 8 amps at 20ish mph cruise and hover which allows me to use li ion. Fly into the wind.

[@EricKonasty]

+Brian Koch sounds good!! :)

[@chucky-p-6715]

Thanks for the tips. Always helpful, thanks again for helping me get my crossfire and qx7 sorted a while back.

[@EricKonasty]

+Charles Pangelinan np thanks

[@dronereviewman9580]

Even if im not flying supper far i think i want to get a set up like yours!! No break up and looks great! Nice post and great info! I need to look into what i can get for the qx7 and furibee x215 to get some good long range if possible!

[@frankpinion4937]

Liked your video-very informative and good advise. I have experimented with short range on my Eflite Apprentice, however I would like to try long range with a similar quad copter like yours or my bixer2 sport/glider. Can you list the sort of items I would need and where I could get them from? Is Dragonlink a good system as that was one I heard a lot about? Look forward to your reply.

[@andrewap77]

Eric, that is one of the most informative FPV video I have seen in a few. And I noticed that you have a DJI remote, have you done any FPV with it?Thanks

[@swiskem]

Solid - appreciate the video, good info for getting into longer flights, even with basic gear.

[@secondworld5962]

What a nice flight area, and a good vid.. Of course Eric - i`m agree in all points ..... For every pilot, it`s very important to know and to understand the Physics of AV connections via RF. For many pilots that is magic .... but, it isn`t. First understand, secondly fly, and third - enjoy ;-) For you man, always good flights ..

[@jetlag268]

How often do you have to recharge that 3S 850 when using the higher mW outputs? Trying to decide what size Lipo I want for my Crossfire module. I am thinking something between 3S 850 and 3S 2200.

[@superowl91]

i saw you had a mavic controller it would be nice to see how the occu sync fairs against the set-up you used in this vid.

[@ViperFPV]

Hey. Awesome video subscribed. I️ use a patch but feel I️ get horrible video far away. Should I️ try a new patch?

[@ezrahjoshua68]

Viper_FPV are you using diversity fpv goggles? if no. A patch antenna only directs signal to one direction.

[@moparme2733]

Awsome info how about trees is that an issue

[@Friskee62]

Excellent vid. What camera are you using in your flyer?

[@paultomas1334]

Thank you for taking the time out and making this video for us.

[@Moby604]

Line of sight ... It work on vhf/uhf mode?.. Interesting should you change the micro crystal to a lower frequency band you should achieve more millage.

[@mrmidnight32]

How far does normal range go vs crossfire? I keep seeing people talking about it. But idk if I need it. My standard QX7 goes kinda far. Haven’t lost signal yet but I don’t know the limits. I normally start losing picture before controller control

[@JaydenLawson]

Thanks Eric. When are you going to make the trek up the hill to find your lost quad?

[@sshutupurface8345]

hey great video, is the entire quad and all gear all listed here? so if i bought all this I'd have the same setup as you do?

[@haggfpv8715]

When will your cougar frame be available again? And can you ship to germany? Seems like the perfect frame for me, 6 inch, enough space and vibration isolation :D

[@EricKonasty]

+Hagg FPV probably in another week I’ll have 5 more up

[@awwtergirl7040]

Imo GPS, Baro, Magno are good for long range. Switch to iNav and get proper RTH and Failsafe. That’s my plan in the next build.

[@srkedzie2724]

Two questions. How’d you get the crossfire working on the way did u use the hardware mod of latency update, secondly where are you located looks like socal I live in Irvine and yeah

[@EricKonasty]

+srkedzie mod

[@rickpimentel5643]

Awesome! What GoPro did you use?

[@MrDutchman100]

No ear piece listed in the updated list. ?

[@friendsofcoeurdalenepark272]

Thanks for this video! You answered several questions I have had about fpv and range.

[@EricKonasty]

Glad it helped! 😊

[@frankcottone5287]

how are these transmitters different from the older 75mhz systems? I remember years ago we flew RC stuff really far and high.

[@EricKonasty]

Rip them all to the moon

[@FPVish]

could you do a video on long range video, whats needed and a setup for increasing the range for the Googles and video transmitters and best antennas so so that we can see better to even get out that far

[@rcfundyer5739]

Great tips thanks for sharing bud happy flying

[@mikea2833]

Did you do the hardware mod on your X7? I was considering going crossfire but was worried about the latency hit I would be taking since I also am using the X7.

[@gewoneou4719]

Great video! How did you mount the ext battery on the QX7? The battery door feels somewhat flimsy to me...

[@EricKonasty]

+Rotor Chris dual lock velcro

[@mahacon]

Why didn't you attach small gps tracker?

[@dvxiong80]

I really like your setup, very informational. Keep doing what you doing.

[@Top-Jimmy]

Excellent tips mate, great video!... btw, what Cam are you using for main video? Its very smooth

[@derekacosta807]

was this video shot out by highland?

[@HenkBakker]

Awesome video. Love it. One question. Why was it counting backwards in the video? I almost thought it would go down because of battery depletion ;) regards, Henk

[@EricKonasty]

That’s a timer I have set to just let me know when I should start looking to turn back and watch my osd voltage

[@HenkBakker]

Eric Konasty ah awesome. Good thinking. Just ordered my first fpv so I'm going to have to learn all the tricks.

[@cobra4829]

why not Dragonlink for Long Range - serious answer please. I want to buy long range system for my 5" quad and DX8

[@alasdair4161]

Excellent Choice.

[@thebloodydahlia3428]

My goodness that battery lasted like no time at all.... are all FPV drone batteries like this?

[@larseckardt_nl]

Fantastic video. Makes a lot very clear for me. Great demo.

[@akg_table]

You say don't go behind hills because you'll lose signal; is there any more expensive drone that has a better signal to avoid that? Or is this really the limits without going insane with tech?

[@kajmolin297]

Intresting! I own a dji Inpire1 Which I attent to buy some more asseoars to. colld 50% way, 50% home be a good edéa?

[@ermannobona2755]

Non bisogna fare modifiche per abbinare TBS con QX7???

[@gemspec]

hi eric i still very new to the quad thing but my son and i have a xk x380 each im looking to get osd going on it can you suggest a low budget osd that would be good to start with gps based would be great but im open to your knowledge here! thanks in advance nathan

[@randalhodson3877]

where you flying at . it looks like glendale az or north moatian in phx

[@mikelowsrchobby6863]

How do you receive audio while you're flying your quad far out

[@davidolsen4435]

Keep pumping out the long range content!

[@donaldheon]

hey konasty Ive been using the crossfire for a while now but the standard 8 dbi spironet patch antenna isnt doing the job very well. Im wondering what your thoughts would be on the best patch antenna for long range. I like that 13 dbi you ran it with.

[@EricKonasty]

+donald heon VAS pepperbox, true rc X2 I think it’s called or the true rc sniper I used here

[@michaelhayward7790]

Is there any way youd be able to set up a soler charger to them ?

[@CrespoRC]

Great video. This was done with the TBS Unify Pro VTX?

[@EricKonasty]

+Crespo RC yes

[@xaphanofthenightfall1257]

im looking to put long range out-of-line-of-sight on my Traxxas E-Maxx and go bashing FPV through the woods on private property. Any suggestions for gear?

[@kevintatum4903]

doesnt the 45 degree adapter introduce loss?