RCModelReviews wrote:Sid's idea is actually an interesting one -- perhaps worthy of some experimentation. Just create a dual-axis mount with two servos and throw any FY20 or FY30A (which I'm reviewing at present) on it.
One thing that *really* helps is a directional antenna for the video receiver. It'll not only give you a stronger signal but, because it looks down a narrower beam, any off-angle reflection is greatly attenuated when compared to the original signal.
I'm going to do some tests with directional antennas and 5.8GHz as soon as the weather allows.
I just looked up the size and cost of the FY20 and it's not only small, but also around $100, which is affordable. I will give my idea a go, maybe on the phoenix (more room to experiment). I'll use a HobbyKing camera pan-tilt head (covered by a suitable fairing) mounted so the camera board faces up, with the antenna screwed to the now horizontal board (i.e. imagine the camera below is the antenna). I'll rope in my bro in law to do the signal intensity measurements for me as he has all the gear at work. Should be fun.
Of course, if you want to give it a try Bruce, I'd be stoked, as you have the gear already, except may for maybe the pan-tilt head and they only cost a few dollars.
If this proves worthwhile, which is should, especially at extreme range where misaligned antennas signal attenuation is most noticeable, then I want it to be known as a "Sideslip antenna".
BTW Bruce, can you buy auto tracking directional antennas? Seems to me that would be pretty easy to set up too.