better antenna for Flysky FS-GT3C

[tjsb]

Looking for help to extend the range on the transmitter ( simple and cheap)

[NativePaul]

There are antennas for transmitters with higher gain, but generally the higher gain you go with the more directional the signal, the standard stick antenna give a donut shaped dispersion around the antenna and usually with boats you don't need to be controlling a boat behind your TX so some sort of focused antenna could be an advantage, but also I wouldn't want a very high gain helical or yagi antenna that has very little signal if you are pointing it more than few degreees away from the RX.

A patch antenna would be the highest gain that I would consider, they give good signal in a roughly 60 degree cone in front of them, you would still have to remember to keep pointing the antenna at the boat, but its forgiving enough that if you have the presence of mind to keep doing that accuracy shouldn't be a problem.

The 2x 2.4ghz TXs that i have taken apart had their antennas on a U.fl connector and could be replaced fairly easily, but I haven't taken apart the radio in question, i would investigate that before further considering upgrades.

There are signal boosters available which have a U.fl input and increase the transmission power, but most countries limit transmission power legally, so look into your local laws before going ahead to check you cant end up with a big fine or behind bars, and if you are opperating with others friendlyness can be an issue, you don't want so much power you swamp your friends signals.

Is natural range your issue, or interferance? If you are doing roundy round stuff range shouldnt be an issue. Not all RC protocols handle interference equally, I've travelled around racing a fair bit and have been to several lakes where the locals say that brand A, B and C, doesn't work here we use X, Y and Z. Flysky has been in the ABC camp more than once, and Futaba FASST is the only one that is ubiquitously in the XYZ camp

[Peter A]

Just how far away do you need to run your boat?

[tjsb]

Not far the spectrum radio works so much better than the flysky.I just found that holding the radio upright helps.