Long Range FPV 4km Video Loss using ORT 6 Turn Helical

4km flight long range 7 inch FPV quad complete test flight video with OSD data , narration and comments. Testing to see either how far the 5.8ghz video link will hold up and testing the custom 4000mAh 21700 Samsung battery pack's longevity.
We had problems with the video dropping and aborted the flight earlier than hoped. Not sure yet what the problem was, still working on that troubleshooting. IF you have a theory, please leave a comment. The flight was in 48 °F temps. Used my 7 inch Long Range FPV quad. Filmed using a Hero 7 Black, Hypersmooth ON.
The purpose of this flight was three fold:
Determine if 5.8Ghz FPV video feed could be received using the ORT 6 Turn Helical Antennas 3 miles or 5km range
Collect battery life data using a 4000mAh Samsung 21700 5S1P custom pack.
Test the DalProp T7056 Cyclone props
My 7 inch Long Range FPV Quad build consists of:
Custom made Li-Ion pack. 5S1P 4000mAh Samsung 21700 cells
TBS Source One Deadcat 7" arms frame
Brother Hobby 2507 1500KV motors
Dalprop T7056 Props
Holybro Kakute FX V2 Flight Controller
T-MOTOR F55A PROII 4:1 ESC
10000 35 CAP
AKK FX3 VTX DVR 25-1000mAh 5.8gHz set at 1000mAh
TBS Triumph Pro SMA LR VTX antenna
Falkor Toothless 2 Micro Camera 2.5mm Lens
TBS Crossfire Diversity Nano RX
TBS Immortal T Crossfire RX antenna
True RC Bardpole Crossfire RX antenna
Matex GPS And Magnetometer M8Q-5883
Various TPU 3D printed hardware
GoPro TPU 3D printed Mount and customized for vibration dampening.
GoPro Hero 7 Black w/ PolarPro ND8 Filter and Hypersmooth 1.0 ON
Ground Support Gear:
Taranis X9D 2019 SE Controller
Crossfire Micro JR TX variable Dynamic output level
Crossfire Diamond TX Antenna
Fatshark HDO2 Goggles
Immersion RC Rapidfire RX Module set in Rapidfire1 mode
Two O.R.T 6 Turn Helical antenna.
Jim's Spektrum observing Monitor also using a O.R.T. 6 Turn helical.
If you like this video please subscribe to see more amazing visuals of our region filmed from the air. Video Edited and color graded with Davinci Resolve.
Copyright © 2021 Mike Meagher Productions so please ask for permission or licensing prior to reusing any imagery for any commercial or profit purposes... else bad karma will get you and my automated hunter killer drone will seek you out and vaporize you. Email me at [e-mail] www.meagherprod...

[@Ger.FPV2023]

Excellent flight and amazing spotter. bare in mind that Helical do not have a wide beam width Range. I suggest you to try with a Patch antenna such as TRUERC X2-AIR with a Horizontal beam-width *: 150deg and a Beam-width Vertical *: 62deg. Just for testing :)

[@ValleyFPV]

Thanks for watching and the comments. I will be next flight testing exactly that. both a Helical and the X2-Air and see how that works. I may put a better VTX in the quad too as soon as stock levels return. More vids to come.

[@ValleyFPV]

Update: we have a new working theory as to what may have caused the loss of the FPV feed on this flight so close in; it appears that at that LOS event the quad appears to have crossed thru the signal path between two microwave (or such) relay transmission towers. More on this to come in a future video as we investigate this theory.

[@gvanausdle]

I recently started into the fpv hobby and been testing in my back 40. I eventually plan on going up to Mount Baker at Baker lake. I love your artist point vids. I haven't been up there in years and it wasn't in the snow. I don't have the helical coils but the true rc patch and orbital antennas. I've been looking into those when I came across your vids. So far im using a sub 250 drone, the Flywoo explorer analog. Also I purchased the Flywoo hexplorer as well, a very smooth flyer.

[@divingfalconfpv4602]

How u liking it? I have Explorer LR analog. And HEXplorer HD.. I put rpm filtering, ratel 2, and lumineer 800nw vtx on my explorer lr. So far before rpm filtering li-ion 4s 3000mah gave me 29:52 flight time repeatedly. Hexplorer I just test other day. Making a video of flight time testing.. need to finish today

[@gvanausdle]

@@divingfalconfpv4602 I am still learning about things. I don't know what rpm filtering is. But I have the original explorer but had issues with the panda vtx and motor surging so they sent me a new flight stack. I ordered the newer vtx, GPS module and I essentially have the v2. It flies great. I got the hex mostly because of the cool factor. But I like it even more. Oh n I got the li-on as well. Look forward to sending it out.

[@ValleyFPV]

HI thanks for watching. I recently got into FPV just a few months ago too . I came from the DJI Phantom world and there is lots to learn here. I have a new 12turn helical that I'll be testing soon, and also a video comparing the 6 turn helical to the VAS Crosshair Extreme. Yes.. That Table mountain/ Artist point area is lovely.. and not too far range. I take off and land adjacent to the visitor center area when in the snow. FYI, there is Wilderness area boundaries on the outskirts of the ridges.. which technically is off limits for any aircraft below 2000ft AGL.. keep that in mind.

[@gvanausdle]

@@ValleyFPV definitely look forward to the vas review and the 12 turn helical.

[@MrJasonodonnell]

Ol mate spotters screen on a handle is pretty smart.

[@ValleyFPV]

Tis handy!

[@jhughes2286]

Don't worry about the speed, if you are concerned about battery life you should be watching the amp draw. You could be flying downhill with zero throttle and be doing 80-100mph and be drawing basically zero battery.

[@ValleyFPV]

Thanks. Yes I watch the Amp draw too but only when climbing. I watc speed more because on my build my quad vibrates more over a certain speed. Messes up my gopro video.. That's why I keep it slow. Also my reflexes are not the best and I want to not go too fast and accidentally fly into something. That's why I'm always slowing down.. I am still new to flying these fpv quads. My next build I hope will vibrate less at high speeds. I hope.

[@snakeyefpv]

You really should use a ground station ... but you did a great job flying out that far!

[@ValleyFPV]

Thank you.... as a matter of coincidence I am currently working the bugs out of a ground station and testing Sharkbyte at long range. Videos about that adventure will be coming soon.

[@snakeyefpv]

@@ValleyFPV sounds good. I will stay tuned :-)

[@ValleyFPV]

Fyi..check out my 6k flight at the Sisters mountain video. Pretty decent analog fpv feed.

[@IanMacKenzie_IIsWe]

Having the antennas aimed reliably from a tripod seems more likely to bring you consistent reception at great distances.

[@SummerCrowfpv]

Good save loosing video is terrifying

[@ValleyFPV]

Thanks for watching. I'm new to this whole FPV world and yes losing the video is nerve wracking. I'm going to attempt this same flight again in a different venue and see is the same happens again.

[@TamilMediaTV]

Another great flight successfully. Congratulations 🎊 👏👏👏. Personally what I felt watching this location is, you might have obtained the maximum you could with 5.8ghz and turned back at the right time 👍 Take care, Sir. Happy flying 😊

[@ValleyFPV]

Hi, thanks for watching and the comments. Yes.. could very well be. I'm going to try the same gear at a different location, just in case the terrain or near by radio towers were an impact. I need to get a combo that will allow me to go to 3 miles or 4, as theres places I want to film that are that far out. More adventures to come soon.

[@neilfpv]

I'm very interested too as to how to address the signal lost problem. I also like to build a 7 inch quad. Great long range test!

[@ValleyFPV]

Lots to figure out..but it's fun.

[@fajararjangkrikfpv9498]

I think you need bigger motor i use 2807 1300kv at 50-70kmh amp drawn at 15-20a.and the vtx i use rush tank 800mw still in good reception with ort 3 turn at 3.5km distance

[@ValleyFPV]

Hi, thanks for watching. Great suggestion. My next LR quad will be exactly along those lines, bigger motors, and a good RUSH VTX. This quad was my first ever FPV build..and I've learned a LOT.

[@fajararjangkrikfpv9498]

@@ValleyFPV me too mate.still learning as well got lots knowledges from falconrad fpv.

[@divingfalconfpv4602]

Yea sometimes my signal on patch seems crappy. I use the rapidfire long range bars.. and I'll move my head around to see where bar goes highest haha.. I must look like a fool to people A lot of times I end of looking down

[@ValleyFPV]

Hi, thanks for watching. I totally "get it" I am learning how to aim the head antennas too. I need an assistant to look over my shoulder and tell me.. up more, to the left, etc.. LOL

[@SummerCrowfpv]

Great battery life .... I just got 8 of the 21700 cells just waiting on balance leads to make my packs

[@ValleyFPV]

Thanks, Yes I love this pack. Good amps/weight trade off. I just built a 5S2P pack with 6200mAh and will be flying that today for the first time.. more videos to come.

[@dronestation1557]

i got 5km with my 10inch drone, running 800mw rush vtx 5.8ghz and 250mw power on the tbs tango 2 , with tbs nano diversity. antenna setup ws the menace pico patch and a menace omni rhcp antenna

[@ValleyFPV]

Hi, Thanks for the suggestions. I am suspecting that my VTX is a POS or we flew right thru a point to point radio transmission between two towers. I'm going to get one of those RUSH VTXs as soon as they get back in stock. Difficult to find these days. More testing to come.

[@gregdavidd]

Hey any chance you could share how you mounted the Helical on the HDO2s? Thats my exact setup but havent been able to find an STL to make it happen :) I could design my own too but would be great if I could somehow see better how you did it.

[@ValleyFPV]

I found a angular sheet metal mount designed for some other antennas. not 3d printed. it screws to the fan screws. velcro holds helicals to the mount. sma pigtails were needed.

[@erlandfpv]

Hi, my friends get almost 5km with 1 helical ort 6 turn, but yes the point its very narrow, and he almost lost pic twice.

[@ValleyFPV]

Hi thanks for watching. Yes I too have flown further with these ORT 6 turns. My issues this day were likely the result of radio interference. I have a video on that theory.

[@NOXFPV]

Liked and subbed.

[@ValleyFPV]

Thanks for watching and subbing. More crazy videos to come soon.

[@skunk929]

How do those 1500kv motors feel? Im looking at getting a bind n fly 7 inch and the motor options are 1300kv or 1800kv. Id like a bit of power for cliff diving punch outs and light freestyle but still want to get long range and flight time. Thanks for all the informative videos!

[@ValleyFPV]

Honestly.. I am a relatively new FPV flyer and haven't done a lot of cliff diving yet. They seem great for my style. You may want to go for the 1800s.

[@ClarkDroneFilms]

Can you tell me how much your video receiver module matters for range? I have the skyzones 02c so I'm kind of stuck with the internal receiver

[@ValleyFPV]

Thanks for watching. A Good video recieving antennas Make a big difference. As well as a good receiver such as a rapidfire.

[@dcliffe8539]

maybe a base station?

[@ValleyFPV]

Thanks for watching! Perhaps someday...

[@dcliffe8539]

@@ValleyFPV happy flying :)

[@filipmaftei7264]

Hi, have you ever got interference in the sense that the Helical's signal is distorted by Crossfire system and you get lines in the video feed ? Thank you

[@ValleyFPV]

Hi. Thanks for watching. Yes I have. When I have crossfire telemetry and dynamic power turned on yes. I disabled telemetry and set the crossfire power manually and those lines went away. The same interference also manifest in the HDZero 5.8gh digital fpv system as well. I personally doubt the noise is related to the helical design.

[@filipmaftei7264]

@@ValleyFPV Thank you soo much for answering. Noob question: What do you loose if you cut Crossfire's telemetry ? (I still have all I need on OSD) And how much Crossfire power do you use on manual ?

[@ValleyFPV]

@@filipmaftei7264 i believe you won't have GPS coordinates. And you won't have the crossfire signal strength. All else shows in the osd. I set my crossfire power manually to its max 1w setting and leave it at that. Crossfire range goes a much further distance than i have quad battery to fly so I don't worry about the crossfire distance.

[@droneandoworld84]

Eso no te pasaría con una antena true RC masticks en el dron y un vtx tbs unify hv 1w.

[@ValleyFPV]

Thank you..I think...

[@pasifpv5508]

Do you use rapidfire mode 2?

[@ValleyFPV]

Thanks for watching. I was using Rapidfire1 . I need to give that a try and test that as well.

[@pasifpv5508]

@@ValleyFPV its alot better

[@pasifpv5508]

I have the same antenna and rapidfire and i did 10km with issues

[@ValleyFPV]

Excellent!

[@ValleyFPV]

@@pasifpv5508 Excellent. I'm going to try again this week.