Controlling ArduPilot Sub Without Laptop/Phone: Remote Controller Options

Hello,

I’m looking for a solution to control my underwater robot from the ground using a remote controller like the Skydroid H12, without relying on a laptop or phone.

I’ve noticed that these types of controllers typically send joystick data along with RC telemetry, which isn’t recognized as a standard joystick input by QGC. This prevents me from using it to transmit control inputs over a Wi-Fi connection (e.g., QCroung).

My current ground station setup: Underwater robot connected to a Wi-Fi router on the ground via a cable.

Does anyone have experience with remote controllers that can directly interface with ArduPilot without the need for a computer (obviously not RC) ?
Any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated!

These controlles send their control signal using MAVLink protocol over the telemetry link or using dedicated frames as a part of their data link system for receiver to inject into the telemetry stream.

BTW Skydroid H12 pretty much is a phone, just one without a SIM card slot, which sucks for flexible operations.

2.4GHz and 5.8GHz won’t really work underwater.

Any RC supporting the ELRS protocol on 868/900mhz will work partially underwater. But only in sweet water and down to a depth of approx. 1.5-2m. You can use a real ELRS radio or any OpenTX/EdgeTX radio in combination with an external ELRS module.
I am using this system for my 2 semiscale subs since 2 years.