Suggestions for Telemetry modules?

ArduCopter Copter 4.5
1

Hi everyone. I’m taking a bit of an easy route here, but you guys are the experts so it would be foolish not to ask. I have a cheapo 915 MHz telemetry module (two identical units - one on the drone plugged into TELEM1, and one plugged into my PC for MissionPlanner via USB). Does anybody have any telemetry modules they love so I can get real-time telem info on my MissionPlanner and also send commands? My cheapo one drops out at like 20 feet which is crazy.

I really only need 1km range, and maybe passing through a few light branches, but never BVLOS. I just see this list and don’t really know where to start. If there’s one you like, that’s good enough for me after some follow up research that I’ll do.

Edit: Budget is not a major concern. Low hundreds $ for a reliable system is worth it.

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RFD900x is a good option.

3

ESP32 WiFi telemetry — Copter documentation is also a good option. With some once antennas you can get 1Km in LR mode cheap.

4

I prefer mRo’s version of SiK hardware (looks like maybe they recently acquired the 3DR name as well?).

https://store.3dr.com/telemetry-radioswifiremote/

5

Thank you everyone. In fact the RFD900x was recommended to me, but those seem harder to come by. I’ll check out the ESP32 and the (new) 3DR. These 915 MHz pieces from mRo/3DR seem the most plug and play and are cheap - do you have a specific set you use @Yuri_Rage ?

The ESP32 option also seems good and fun to set up, but that also requires an antenna it looks like, plus an extra DC-DC converter for 3.3 V.

Edit: or these: 3DR SiK Telemetry Radio Air/Ground Bundle kit

6

ExpressLRS now natively supports MAVLink.

7

I use the small air unit and USB ground module at 915MHz.

There is a long range kit if size and weight are not a factor.

The USB module functions just as well as an air unit, as it provides a JST-GH UART connection in addition to USB.

8

I have invested in MLRS (info available in ardu forums) Will arrive next week. I will let you know

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I’ve used the mRo and Holybro SiK radios. Both work well. Reasonable price. 1km might be pushing your luck, but 600m is no problem.

I really like RFD900 radios. Much bigger, and more money. Range isn’t an issue for anything I’ve done with them.

@adcam Keep us posted on the MLRS. I’ve been considering getting the Matek radios and trying them out. Very promising.

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I prefer the micoair LR24. I tried many different telemetry options, but they are the best from my point of view in terms of price and what you get

11

Thanks everyone for lots of comments. I picked up some mRo 915 MHz modules. I will say 1km was an overstatement in my original post - it’s actually more like 200m that I need, but I added a few factors just to overspec. I wish it was easier to find some RFD900 because everyone seems to review very highly but I didn’t have luck easily finding online, plus I’m at the point in my system where every gram counts because the payload is pretty heavy.

12

I am using ELRS Airport serial communications with Radiomaster BR3 and Bandit 915 MHz Module for base unit. I moved to this configuration from the SiK standard which works ok and is easy to configure and connect but I did not get reliable long distance connections and did not to upgrade to large antennas etc. The current ELRS Airport setup is been very reliable.

I have not tested Mavlink over ELRS as the 915MHz support should be coming very soon on ver. 3.5.2. ELRS Mavlink/RC.

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