5.8GHz for FPV RC planes

If you're thinking of getting into the FPV flying of RC model planes then you need to watch this video and learn all about the 5.8 GHz video systems that are on the market.
Why 5.8GHz instead of the other frequencies that can be used?
Well here's a list of pro's:
- it's small and light
- the antennas are small, light, robust and efficient
- it's unlikely to interfere with other services
- it won't interfere with your RC system
- it's widely available
However, the best thing you can do with a set of "store bought" 5.8GHz gear is simply throw away the black stick-type antennas that come with it and invest in some circularly polarized clover-leaf or skew-planar antennas. This will vastly improve your FPV experience.
So what family of 5.8GHz FPV is best for you?
Well the Immersion/Fatshark system integrates very nicely with the Fatshark range of video glasses to produce a very neat, compact ground-station setup that is fully self-contained within the glasses themselves. Note however, that there is a SkyRF receiver now available for the FatShark Dominator glasses which will allow you to do the same using the SkyRF-based transmitters and Fatshark glasses -- however this doesn't work with other Fatshark models such as the Attitude or BASE ones.
The SkyRF-based systems have a separate receiver that will plug into any video glasses but can also be used with the FoxTech video glasses (which I do not have) in the same way as the Fatshark transmitters work with some FatShark glasses.
Both systems work -- but there is no compatibility because of the different frequencies used. Personally, I use the SkyRF-based systems but if the new Fatshark/Immersion receivers are as good as they say, I may change. Stay tuned for the review.
Here are some other RCModelReviews videos you may find of relevance to this one:
FPV antenna gain and range explained
• FPV antenna gain and r...
FPV Backpack PCB build (part 1)
• FPV Backpack PCB build...
FPV Backpack PCB build (part 2)
• FPV Backpack PCB build...

[@JCRC]

Very good review. I'm new to fpv and I've learnt more from this video than anything I've read out there. Thank you for your effort and keep up the very good work!!

[@jakebuck8329]

The most thorough, concise, and articulate explanation concerning the basic facts and logistics behind FPV system components. Thanks for a great video, with outstanding discourse.

[@Tunz2cruzby]

You have provided a valuable seminar on this subject for beginner FPV pilots!!!! I have been looking for this type of information for weeks. Now I can filter out all the unnecessary gadgets and gizmos that have made getting into FPV so confusing. You make the best informative videos out there. Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge!!!

[@johnharris2683]

Your the only person who knows rc's and how to teach not just talk !!! Thanks so much

[@Soldier53flyer]

Great Video! I started out with 5.8g after seeing your video's I did not know how to start in the hobby, till I found your site. so thank you for all you have given to me and the hobby! I have helped out disabled VET's in my home town coming back from war to get in to this hobby and I have sent them to your site to help them out where I did not have the right answers, the good part of this is they are now teaching me things I did not know. So keep up the good work Bruce, thank you.

[@CrashTestingDunCheap]

I already use just what you have recommended with superb results. But I refer new users to this video because you tell it better than I. Brilliant.

[@okflyer777]

One of the best overall technical expositions on youtube EVER! Sir, you have a real talent - obviously coupled with loads of experience - that's exquisitely suited to teaching a guy like me (new to FPV but not RC) about one of the more esoteric areas of the hobby. I can't wait to watch your lessons on the other more substantial areas of FPV, and quadcopter platforms. My most sincere thanks for taking the time and applying your talent to help promote our hobby in a fun, safe, technically competent way. TWO THUMBS UP.

[@granthones]

I am just starting FPV and these videos will save me lots of time, money and frustration. Thank you so much for taking the time to make these videos.

[@erg0centric]

years ago I was looking for instructions on changing bearings in my glow engines, Bruce is the best!

[@blackops84321]

Very very helpful video. Thank you for taking the time to make this and explaining all of these. Im new to this and you are greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[@oommbahh]

I'm new to FPV and this video made it easy to understand, great work keep it up.

[@dougfenrich4373]

BEST FPV Video I have seen on this ! ! THANKS

[@REALRCREVIEWS]

Great video! Well spoken in terminology that makes sense people with and without technical backgrounds. Very well done sir!

[@techsoncall]

Very helpful and informative video. Im new to Quads and FPV and this really got my geek wheels turning and helped me understand what would make sense for my level of flying ability and the equipment I plan to use. Out of approximately 30 videos Ive watched in the past few weeks, this was by far the most informative. Keep it up and thank you!

[@brettmonty]

Great stuff, you are very natural and for the length of video, not too long winded. Well done and I have noted you for further referencing, plus you are like a wise Uncle. Thank you

[@supermamaoo]

Great overview, very clear exposition. Thanks so much Enrico

[@TImSel1962]

Excellent and informative in a way anyone can understand. Well Done!

[@petert2922]

Thanks for the vid, literally clarified everything ive been trying to figure out, so many tx and rx's out there.

[@SkyPixles]

I Have the Fat Shark Deliminator 2 - Flew 700m with no problem what so ever! Thanks Bruce, great Job as always!

[@SFPV]

Thank god for smart/motivated people on the internet! Thanks for all the insights!

[@SANIZIP]

Once again full of important information for newbies...Thanks Bruce.

[@Darksagan]

You make the best videos hand down. I feel like I am in class but I like it. Thanks

[@godsgifttocockpit]

Thanks again for an excellent and truly helpful video on FPV. I was really struggling on which mW transmitter to get and this pretty much not only solved it but only saved me some money :) Keep up the great work!

[@joeblough5411]

Good man for taking the time to teach...thank you Sir!

[@MrBobinAZ]

Yet another excellent informative and fun video! Thanks, Bruce.

[@deezler]

Love your videos! Chearful, funny, and informative.

[@thenar]

Another outstanding presentation. Thank you.

[@MiltonGeorges]

Thanks for helping me pick a tx/rx combo for my UAV! Great Video!!

[@twostik]

Thanks again you help me understand this better and save me a lot of frustration and of course i have more fun keep up the great work

[@tgreenid]

Very informative, I learned quite a bit about FPV communications. Thanks for your insight!

[@ninnada1198]

You are very interesting to listen to and you answer many questions! Thank you very much!

[@jbx907]

Thanks for clearing this Bruce!

[@AustinJRice]

Thank you for posting this video! I learned a LOT!

[@SteveMillerhuntingforfood]

Sir, thank you so much. An excellent primer on FPV equipment.

[@mjlapaglia]

Love all your reviews and videos, very informative!

[@martinmcmutrie]

Very useful and educational video! I'm trying to come to grips with rc and this strange radio-based stuff, and this really helped. Thanks a lot!

[@clayton4115]

thanks so much, made a newbie like me understand all this so much more

[@LilPutter]

Great video. Thanks, I learned a bunch. You've narrowed my search and have given me focus with your useful information.

[@TheBoatPirate]

blast from the past! that stuff is huge compared to whats up these days! keep up the good work!

[@mr_mr]

So good, very thorough. Thanks.

[@Eugensdiet]

Pretty much knew everything you said but it was nice to be re-affirmed. Did not know about the helical antenna so I'm going to do some research on that. Thanks for a good video.

[@12kredline]

Thanks! This helped fill in the gaps!

[@AzHeat63]

Thanks! You have helped me make up my mind on what to start out with in FPV.

[@MrJonnymellor]

Thanks Bruce,you really help make sense of it all! Good information,great teacher.

[@thedragonfarm]

this was great for me. you explained everything I needed to know, thanks so much 👍

[@jbplunkett1]

Best Reviewer EVER of all things RC!

[@firedawg1998]

Disconnect the piston from the con rod.. Awesome. Thanks for the great video

[@coryvigh4621]

good video always enjoys learning from your vids from time to time, keep up the good work!

[@lesmoor001]

as a beginner i found this very informative thanks

[@LWJCarroll]

Thats brilliant Bruce and thanks for the quick reply...Rgds...Laurie

[@MormanHP]

Good job !! I am forwarding this to the members of my RC club. Keep up the good work.

[@toddspeck9415]

Your knowledge is impressive! And your great teacher!

[@Hitngan]

Excellent. This has influenced my choice of fpv thanks.

[@eddiejcc]

Thank you for doing this video!!!! A Great Help!!

[@aeroseb1]

thank you for your time to give us this very good review!

[@martinboelle2658]

Very informative! Thanks for making this video!

[@CheifyRC]

Bruce , greetings from the UK. Just wanted to say many many thanks for this informative video. Must say this has helped me understand everything I need to get for my fpv ventures, been doing a lot of research on various systems and I got to say this video is the best learning video I've come across. Superbly explained, keep the good reviews coming. Thumbs up from me and subscribed.

[@MarionBlair]

You explain things so well for simpletons like me. Thanks for your video! You are the best!

[@beefybeef1326]

This video is great for beginners like me. Thanks alot mate!

[@Gmacrone]

Excellent informative video! I am looking to getting into FPV and your video provided a lot of very useful information to someone that has no clue.

[@benny.mccallum]

The info at the end about getting the exact right channel was helpful, i think that is my current issue.

[@weeliano]

Thanks Bruce! The Antenna tip at 11:11 is an excellent piece of advice!

[@IanGillingham]

Really informative - thanks for all your efforts! Here in the UK, the legal limit for non-licenced 5.8GHz video is only 25mW. I have a full ham licence, so could use much more power *on ground* - but it doesn't cover airborne transmission. So your tips on receiver aerial gain are extremely useful.

[@docskyhook2]

Thanks -- Another great instructional video ---- You are appreciated!

[@4thGloryMonday]

thanks this vid ansewered alot og questions i had, bet ill b watching this again

[@bobjoe3175]

You saved me so much time! great video!

[@Eugensdiet]

Nice video and it definitely answered questions regarding differences between Shark and other radios ( I did know that channels were different) with with respect to performance. I'm glad you stressed the importance of having an antenna hooked up.

[@matthewwright9223]

Thankyou so much for this video, I have been flying 1.3Ghz for 2 years after giving up on 5.8 after only getting 30-40 yards on the 200mW Vtx.... I WAS PHANTOM CHANNELED. I have just dug out the Vtx/rx and they were on ch4 and 5..... Have just fit them on my DJI F450 with some cloverleaf antennas which proved useless at solving the problem before (for good reason) and have got 300m before I got tired of walking up the road... your a star mate and next time i'm in AUS i want to buy you a beer.

[@TrentMurray]

good work buddy, great to see our patreon dollars hard at work. keep em coming!

[@yowieP51]

Thumbs up, always good info Bruce, particularly the not turning on the TX without antenna, unless you want to see the magic smoke.

[@BMK1957]

Thanks, this was very informative.When I can afford to progress to fpv I now know which way to go.

[@MrWarwick15]

Great Bruce! Thank you. Rich.

[@richy6691]

fantastic information big thanks from uk

[@pdft40cal]

Great informative video. Thank you for taking the time.

[@leoras10]

Thank you for your video. Simple language big explanation!

[@julian8099]

excellent video as always !

[@Wes_Jones]

Thanks for such a nice overview. I must admit I was pretty confused as to what to buy before watching your video. Cheers.

[@allandindin]

Very informative! Thanks

[@tomastan8148]

Excellent. Informative and honest. Presentation personable, fun and enjoyable. Many thanks. Keep up the great work.

[@foamaxmore]

Thank you for a very thorough video on video xmit and receivers and their antenna systems

[@beyondfossil]

Excellent information! Thank you.

[@GrimSchwede]

great review as always!!

[@ALTN8NRG]

Best explanation for FPV!

[@nishbrown]

Excellent video. I am amazed at the number of people in the U.S. that don't know the FAA regulations regarding our hobby. LOS -400ft.

[@DD-pm2vh]

GLORIOUS, thanks for the heads up :")

[@RobCampman]

You're videos have been very helpful ! thanks form the netherlands.

[@wolframjakob4178]

Thanks Bruce, I was looking at this gear on HK when I youtubed your video and it was very helpful. As suggested I will try to stay out of trouble but its going to be hard to fly FPV without a smile. As soon as people see me having fun...look out fun must = trouble.

[@SonicOrbStudios]

Great overview on these wireless video links. Hobbyking just got the FatShark PredatorV2 back in stock today and although it's not listed in the US warehouse, I sent out an order for one anyways to get hooked to my quadcopter.

[@andrewmoss1355]

Great video very informative and easy language to understand

[@videogrinch]

Thanks for this video ! really helped me a lot.

[@nickgilbert1264]

I really appreciate this excellent guide which answered my questions about cloverleaf antennas and whether I really need an enormous power hungry TX. It's useful to have confirmed that my gut instinct about choosing a 200mW TX but paired with a better antenna is a better choice. Anything which requires a heat sink and fan can only drain my model's battery quicker...

[@Skydive4ever]

Great info, thanks for taking the time to make the video :-)

[@steelyjace]

Excellent video thank you!

[@taiming71]

Fantastic information thanks.

[@marbleshark6]

***** I love this guy too, if I lived in his village I'd wish for him to play Santa in the hall every year :)

[@EmilyHeathcliff]

Great video. Very informative.

[@one4stevo]

Nice video Bruce, a lot of great information.

[@moozoh73]

nice as usual thanks for the info.

[@JoshBoggsexposedhomes]

very cool and extremely helpful! Thanks

[@airbutz]

Thanks for this info-video. It helped me a lot in choosing my gear for my fpv-system. greets from swissie-land

[@DominicClifton]

Really great video, keep em coming.