Review: RMILEC UHF long range RC system (part 1)

[@JbotMischief]

Top review Bruce, always appreciate the extra know-how and technical ability that you bring to the hobby.

[@v8eater2]

Mike from DL commented in the RCG thread he's boxed a system to send to you. Can't wait for a review.

[@surf1punk]

Bruce FYI, there is a member on the rcgroups forum that is manufacturing a nice machined metal backing for the module, this would certainly help with the dissipation of heat. I used this module for a while, but ran into range issues with it, and it was "dirty" for sure. I've since moved to RangeLink UHF which has been much better, and only takes a fraction of the power with better results and filtering!

[@ChrisBlackburn]

Bruce, the channels are chosen during the bind process. it scans the surroundings on bind, so if it finds a strong 433 signal it would choose a different band. try binding it with another 433 source switched on nearby.

[@BMSWEB]

Thanks for getting this up Bruce! Much appreciated :) Looking forwards to seeing your aircraft fly away . . and possibly comeback again ;)

[@jocheluich]

Most reviewers point that the antenna was causing also heating problems. Changing the antenna makes a huge change as they say. In fact the newest version of RMILEC has a new antenna just like the one Bruce has on the scanner.

[@nellodude]

Good for keeping your hands warm in winter Bruce

[@samselectronic4548]

Frist thanks for all the great vedios you do, I have a question for you, i bought two Turnigy x9 radio one for a spare, i was wondering if the RMILEC UHF long range RC system would go on the x9? I see there is a mod for putting a Dragon Link UHF RC system on the x9. thanks for all your time you give to us,Sam

[@cambridgekiwi]

Hey Bruce, where does something like this sit with the legal boffins in NZ, are we allowed transmitters this powerful?

[@Raptor50aus]

Bruce, How would this UHF go on a quadcopter with GPS? Any problems? I have a JR X3810 using the FRSky system atm which is great but UHF would be handy fo extra range and more solid connection.

[@iderman2000]

Hi, Bruce. Do you have a notch filter from IBCrazy handy? How does the rmilec look like with the spectrometer with the notch filter mounted? Thanks

[@RCNordic]

Hello Bruce.. would you be testing the Hobbyking Orange OpenLRS system soon?

[@DavidTelesPortugal]

Good review bruce. Can i get an long range system that don't work in the 433mHz band?

[@573Phoenix]

Hey Bruce, nice review! I was wondering if you could do a review of the Origin MFX-800 DSM2 module to be used with Hitev/Futaba/JR transmitters to allow them to bind to DSM2 BNF models. I have one to use with my Hitec Aurora 9, but can't seem to get it to bind to my Blade MQX quadcopyer and I have played around with all of the settings. Or if you know of any other way to give DSM2 to a Hitec Aurora 9, just for those BNF. Thanks again for the incredible amount of useful info, really appreciate.

[@Raptor50aus]

thanks for the info Bruce. Yes I am very happy with the Fr sky gear.

[@jocheluich]

It would be GREAT to find how could this system work with some changes.... I bought a better antenna and also an IBcrazy notch filter 400-1.3 but I don't have equipment to show if problem is solved....Also interesting to see if there is any difference between this and stuff like Immersion rc Cheers!! great review TKS

[@Rcschim]

thanks for that long review. I like how you moan about the flimsy antenna ;-) The 2nd and 3rd harmonic here is awesome! do you know if there can also be a 1/2 harmonic (lets say from 5,8 video down to 2,4ghz radio)? maybe it's pronounces r MILE c (like range mile and c for 100?) greetings, RCSchim

[@nadalhabib7725]

were you able to configure 10 channels on the transmitter? i am using 9x and tried everything but couldn't get P and A channels to be configured as 9 and 10 channels simultaneously.

[@MrCasehatter]

Seen all I need to see Thanks Bruce, I feel better about my Dragon now..

[@daemn42]

Thanks for confirming on the analyzer that it has *zero* harmonic cut filtering. Wait till you find out how easily the RmileC Rx is crushed by external Rfi, be it DTV broadcast towers, or even a mildly Rf noisy camera (like the GoPro) onboard the plane. The Rx has extremely high sensitivity, but no front end filtering. This is the only UHF system I tested, and simply refused to fly with.

[@helichoper]

Looks like you will get to review the Dragon link--Mike has one boxed and ready to post to you so we will look forwards to your review on it.

[@sloperdude]

Excellent review. I'd like to see the HobbyKing open LRS system reviewed too.

[@gaborzoltan5715]

How does FS works for you when using PPM out? For me it waits 2 sec while servos live their own life.... :(

[@silverismysuccess]

Looking forward to part 3 for the finwing penguin review. Thanks.

[@otlotl009]

Would be good to be able to see the Frsky system on this specktrum analyser :)

[@aeroangrymoose]

Hey bruce, have you had much of a look at Ardupilot from DIYdrones?

[@andrewzaborowski9685]

I see this in the hobbyking's description, but it's under the Rx, not under the Tx spec. So not sure.

[@jogomez1988a]

Hola señor. How can you determinated the effective radial distance of the signal can reach?

[@hammarslag]

have same question and items as above, does it work in harmony with the UHF?

[@narpat007]

Excellent, very very impartial review !

[@wd9igy]

Bruce, given the build quality maybe the antenna isn't resonant at the transmit freq. and a high swr is causing the heat

[@r1m1m]

Bruce, what about the OrangeRx Open LRS? Any good ?

[@samselectronic4548]

i know for the price of the transmitter it should be better filter, but now that you have it, thinking maybe you could maybe play around with building some low pass filter? but the getting very hot, i hope its only SWR.. the 3 hop's kinda stuck with that. i like the 70cm band longer range. really really like your video's, keep up the good work, thanks

[@ChrisBlackburn]

I use the Nagoya NA-771, and have never experienced over heating, or even general "warmness"... mind you, it's a bit chilly here in the UK compared to your summers I'd guess lol thanks for the reviews Bruce

[@WascallyWabbitHunter]

All UHF transmitters are recommended to use a Low Pass Filter for 1.3ghz video aren't they?

[@puma509]

Thanks so much for doing this. Any chance you can run the Dragonlink and the ImmersionRC EZUHF JR Module Transmitter?

[@nzRCreviews]

So whats the actual expected range from this unit, it dosent look to bad for the price though

[@NSCoyote]

Hello Mr. Bruce, is possible use a F-TEK 31AP Flight Stabilization Controller & F-TEK OSD Combo with this Rmilec and the fatshark attitude and turnigy 9x. thanks and thanks for the videos i learn a lot for you Sr.

[@ansariflightplan5814]

can it been used on audio video??

[@jogomez1988a]

How caracteristics in power and frequency of radio do you recommend for reach 15KM? Thanks

[@JoeVSvolcano]

Wow my brain hurts. I think you just taught me what harmonics mean! The 1st harmonic is x2 the freq your transmitting on, is the 3rd harmonic x3?

[@user-te3nc9cs6c]

why would you want/need to rotate the antenna? is it just to keep it out of the way or is it to have a better performance?

[@MrAlbertoromeroa]

What happens with the second part??

[@OzFPVflyer]

If you do a search for "ilovetoflyfpv" without the quotes on youtube, you will see Jason using this setup and flying out to 25k's. He has uploaded quite a few videos and as you will see he has absolutely no issues at all.

[@proteuz6980]

So, like.. As they say in the states. I'm guessing that you will, or I should rather say that I hope you will cover shielding this unit or better yet, improving on the design in the next video.

[@arsitama]

Even you do the test in NZ, do you think anybody will know it?

[@jezrougan]

Try using it outside the tin shed your in, the rf signal is being contained in a small area, its like trying to use it without the antenna, like you said you will cook the insides an being in a tin shed your containing the signal cooking it...

[@seenbyjoe]

What would you suggest for a long range setup as this one seems rubbish?

[@arfyness]

did that wobbly antenna have physically loose joints? cause that would make it electrically loose as well, which could effectively disconnect the load, and cook the transmitter. not to mention crash your craft.

[@Christhereal]

the new modules got a better antenna and there are filters : "Low frequency Power supply noise filter: Include High frequency noise filter: Include" Sounds like the problems are fixed ?!

[@samselectronic4548]

Because I really wasn't going use to this one on it, I was wanting to put a Dragon Link on if I could get the pin out , But now I have got my hand on a schematic to the turnigy 9x and have an old 440 HT that I'm playing with in to a dummy load

[@sikotryne]

Good, proper review. Confirmed my suspicions also unfortunately.

[@pumpuppthevolume]

is it supposed to be r-mile-c

[@ranjeety46]

433 MHz module can be used on 2.5ghz transmitter to increase the range

[@Soldier53flyer]

I would like to see how it works in the air!? I hope better then inside.

[@MADelectriCITY]

Love your already unboxedings!

[@patdudley9156]

I have been using this system for a couple of years now. For short ranges. How exactly do I get one wire PPM output please ?

[@andrewzaborowski9685]

Just connect it to the PPM pin (what would be CH9 if it wasn't PPM), it's always enabled. I've been using this for a couple of years now too, this system works but I never got farther than 2km outside of the city, always hit failsafe around that distance, sometimes at less than 1km if close to the city. Last month I travelled to Lima, Peru and I'd get a radio failsafe even as close as 100-150m if close to the city. (all this using the LITE version receiver though because I find the price and availability much more practical if you need multiple receivers) BTW do I see correctly that the Part 2 of this video never arrived? Been waiting for it. Another question: does anyone know of a way to measure the actual output power of this thing? I recently got a cheap radio watt-meter but it won't work with frequency hopping, gets all confused. I suspect mine is broken (possibly by leaving it on without an antenna at some point... it's been a long time I'm using it) because it never gets hot, the transmitter runs very cool. I bought a 433MHz booster (amplifier) but I need to know the current output power before I try a booster or I could burn the booster. My friend gets a longer range than me with a stupid futaba and a 1W booster (iirc).

[@vladik8843]

a narrow band pass filter should fix the harmonics issue.. i don't understand why they allowed front end without a filter..

[@glassdogangle]

I am wondering if the name of this system was put together with the word "mile" and the acronym "RC"... RmileC makes more sense than a non-pronouncable Rrrr-mileck...

[@Duglum666]

Can anyone tell me if those antenna mounting plates with the screws etc. are avaible seperately? Or if not, is anyone willing to sell his? Also, can someone tell me the dimensions of those plates please (metric/mm)? Thank you very much. :)

[@icewolfy1]

You should have bought DragonLink, well proven UHF transmitter that only outputs 600mw! :-) Great review of RMILEC though!

[@freddiedan7962]

NEED TO KNOW WHERE TO GET A DOWN LOAD OR A SYSTEM THAT ALLOWS ME TO FLY ON A LAP TOP OR CELL PHONE WIYH NO DELAY SO MY GO PRO CAN SEND A SIGNAL AS GO PRO APP KINDA IS SLOW

[@slavewholave]

Freddie Dan lol

[@jbx907]

other sites give you Larsen antennas not telescopic antennas

[@Migueldeservantes]

I already replace in mine the plastic heat sink with a large aluminum one! that vent the heat away! So far I never have any issues with it!

[@saleemkhutaba7267]

as i understand this UHF system has powerful power output ! my question is that Effect on human beings /diseases ,cancers ?

[@unolisto]

Thanks for the interesting video, Bruce.

[@FPVmarko]

Looks like this is the cheapest available UHF long range in the market?

[@123bekie123]

Im not sure if it will work beause theres a wire that comes out of the turnigy x9 and you would have to cut it. But why would you want this system after this review? It overheats to an extreme degree and it leaks frequincy's way up its harmonic range!

[@ptuxbury]

Excellent review. Thanks!

[@Fatpumpumlovah2]

When buying this now it comes with a whip antenna.. not that one.

[@glassdogangle]

Bruce - You might try putting a Dragon Link in your plane instead before you fly out too far, so you know you will get it back... :)

[@gaborzoltan5715]

Not sure if anyone reads this now. Anyways, here is my experience: At first i was not delighted with it at all. I had around 3km range on it. But than i have noticed that almost all other LRS systems has much better antennas. Most of them use dipoles. So i have made my receiver antennas dipole. Placed them vertically on the wings, and since than no FS! Not even one! I cant fly out of its range now, as my planes range is around 6km. This is my experience.

[@FPVmarko]

Long full wave antenna should be much better than short one. Seems like you don't like the long one.

[@smoothvirus]

gee if I had one of those I'd be thinking about gluing an old Pentium heatsink to the back of the unit.

[@DavidTelesPortugal]

I am using 433mhz telemetry, so i can't use a 433mhz radio system

[@tr4nscend]

Holy hell they hiked up the price since it's release (hope i'm not imagining... )

[@jbx907]

I think rmilec users should use uhf lowpass filters on the coax

[@flexairz]

No. Even a tuned antenna will radiate all harmonics, that's normal. Its caused by a poorly designed low pass filter.

[@heyhey1385]

Hi Bruce My R Mile C Came with a wip

[@muginuav]

The NB20 V2 is just released: fpvmodel.com/products/rmilec-nb20-v2-20-channel-uhf-lrs-long-range-rc-system

[@allanwatson4067]

I have a rmilec 433 system and use it in Lanzarote,( its hot in Lanzarote) the tx module gets very hot with the standard antenna, Change the antenna for a 12 euro one from E-bay and you will have no problem. Do not use the high power, you do not need 2 watts of power unless you want to microwave your eyes*****

[@kennys5819]

Why don't many of you give the rough price of these items right off the bat, as that my determine if we are interested or not. Prohibitive price, why watch? Yes, we can look it up, I only mention it because it may be something you'd want to do if you're aware of the need.

[@SouthernCrossSailing]

Probably because A) Prices vary a lot depending on your location due to duties and such, and B) this was in 2013.. so price then is not the same as now.

[@MrLimitlessME]

Thanks..!

[@cliffbarrimore]

yep 433Mhz is Ham Radio 70cm band in most countries, in NZ..So I could wipe out the reciever in the plane with my amateur radio, quite easy, I run around 45watts on 70cms in the car, could be interesting

[@Nonose_s2]

I just realised that turnigy 9X is copy of that JR 9X radio.. Well I should have known.

[@Soldier53flyer]

I know you probably know this is but the Fox tech HD V2 , and the V1 camera will not work with this system, you will crash. They will lock out you system.

[@Cleveroldguy]

RMILEC is well known for spewing all over the rf band. I doubt if you'll be able to filter out all it's illegal harmonics

[@GeorgeGardinier]

tslrs. com/ , bruce have you seen these

[@SHAWSIE64]

I'm not old but I do have some trouble pushing wires into holes with my wife from time to time after a few beers.

[@fpvrcstuff]

You need the R Mile C SRC771 antenna, you will find the module runs much cooler. Chuck that long antenna in the trash , it's garbage.

[@petershipp5994]

Good unit, but he does need a bib to wipe his lips, as he obviously doesn't like the antenna.

[@G56AG]

The black helicopters are coming, coming for YOU! Get your tinfoil hat ready. ;^)

[@nishbrown]

Dirty Tx. Eew. I need a shower.

[@GeorgeBonez]

I have a British accent so people believe anything I say mate!

[@cheetor5923]

Eww!!!!!!!!!!! careful the black trucks from radio spectrum management don't come hunting you dude that thing is a real pig... what does it run on? a spark gap transmitter :P

[@vegetoast1]

I wont be getting one, thanks!

[@bobmcleay5214]

vegetoast1 ñn

[@Soldier53flyer]

Bruce, what filter can I buy to help this out? I have had this for about a year and just put it in my plane, so I need to clean it up or buy 2.4mhz video system. I tried it with 1.280 and 1.258mhz not good.