Antenna Towers Configuration

Owned by Anthony Luo
Last updated: 2023-03-02
3 min read

< layout of all the components of each tower with labels>

To recap, you should have the equipment shown in the above image. There are a few potential substitutes that may be used, listed below:

< list >

There are two antenna towers, one which handles telemetry, will be referred to as T_Telem, and the other which handles video, will be referred to as T_VRX. T_Telem equipment is on the LEFT on the dotted line in the above image, T_VRX is on the right.

T_Telem

T_Telem offers 3 distinct modes of operation:

  1. Simple Wired

  2. Simple Wireless

  3. Tracking

Common to each of these modes is the antenna configuration and wiring. Mode 1 and Mode 2 can be used with different GUI’s, and Mode 2 supports an additional “fully wireless” operation. Mode 3 requires the use of a custom tracking antenna solution, but the wiring for the antennas are otherwise identical to Mode 2 wireless.

Mode 1 - Wired

When using wired operation for T_Telem, follow the following wiring configuration:

< image showing components, and clearly labelled wires >

Mode 2 - Wireless

When using a fully wireless operation for T_Telem, connect the RFD900x to the XBEE as shown for your tower-side communication.

< image showing connection from RFD900x to XBEE >

Then, on your computer side communication, wire the XBEE to the FTDI cable as shown:

< image showing XBEE to FTDI connection >

Mode 3 - Tracking

The antenna configuration with the RFD900x and XBEES should be identical to Mode 2, except the configuration needs to be mounted onto the tracking antenna.

< image >

Wiring T_VRX

T_VRX has a few possible configurations, with one mode of operation. Here are all the possible components that you may need to recognize if you are assembling a VRX tower:

Item

Purpose / type

Image

Item

Purpose / type

Image

TRUE RC X-Air 1.3

1.3 GHz Patch Antenna

1.3Ghz Antenna

 

1.3 PCB Dipole Antenna

1.3 GHz PCB Dipole Antenna

1.3GHZ Antenna

 

1.3 VEE Antenna

1.3 GHz PCB Dipole Antenna

1.3GHZ Antenna

 

RMRC 1.3GHZ Receiver

1.3 GHZ Video Receiver (Ready Made RC)

1.3GHZ VRX

 

Mateksys VRX-1G3-V2

1.3 GHz Video Receiver (Mateksys)

1.3GHZ VRX

 

Rush Tank Race II

5.8 GHz Video Transmitter

5.8ghz vtx

 

AKK TS832 VTX

5.8 GHz Video Transmitter

5.8GHZ VTX

 

Omnidirection 5.8 GHZ Antenna

Any 5.8 Antenna TBH

 

Turnigy 3s battery

Very Very specifically a 3s battery. not 2s. not 4s. not 6s! must be 3s

battery

 

Now, to make your video tower work, all you need to do is follow the following steps very closely and very cleary in this order:

  • 1.3GHZ Antenna to 1.3GHZ VRX

  • 5.8 GHZ Antenna to 5.8GHZ VTX

  • 12V input ( battery ) to the 1.3GHZ VRX

  • 12V input ( battery ) to the 5.8GHZ VTX

  • 1.3GHZ VRX Video Out to 5.8GHZ VTX Video In

If your channels are configured correctly, you should now see a video output on your FPV device!

< to insert common wiring configurations, labelled…. >