tiny whoop antenna
- The cable is for the video transmitter (VTX).
- The radio/control link (ELRS) uses a separate, tiny PCB antenna embedded on the flight controller or VTX board.
- So even though there is "one visible cable antenna," the drone still has two radio paths internally:
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Video (5.8 GHz) → cable antenna
- Control (2.4 GHz ELRS) → small PCB or tiny wire antenna
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Video (5.8 GHz) → cable antenna
linear antenna VS circular antenna
| VTX Power | Typical Range (Linear Antenna) | Typical Range (Circular Antenna) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25–100 mW | 120–300 meters | 100–250 meters | Short indoor range, low interference |
| 200–400 mW | 500–900 meters | 400–800 meters | Suitable for backyard or small outdoor fields |
| 600–800 mW | 1.2–2.2 km | 1–2 km | Common for outdoor FPV, moderate interference |
| 1 W (1000 mW) | 2–3.5 km | 2–3 km | Maximum legal power in some regions; susceptible to interference |
Notes on Antenna Types
-
Linear Antenna: Slightly longer LOS range in perfect alignment, but highly sensitive to orientation changes.
- Circular Antenna: Slightly shorter max LOS, but maintains more reliable signal through obstacles and multipath interference.
What Does the "Lollipop" Antenna Do for FPV?
In FPV (First Person View) drone systems, the Lollipop antenna is a type of circularly polarized antenna designed for the video transmitter (VTX) or receiver (VRX/goggles).
📡 Main Functions
-
Improves Signal Stability
- Circular polarization helps reduce signal dropouts and multipath interference (caused by signals bouncing off walls, trees, or the ground).
- This makes your FPV feed more consistent and less "glitchy".
- Circular polarization helps reduce signal dropouts and multipath interference (caused by signals bouncing off walls, trees, or the ground).
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Omnidirectional Coverage
- Lollipop antennas are usually omnidirectional, meaning they radiate and receive signals in nearly all directions around the drone.
- You don’t need to point the antenna perfectly toward the drone.
- Lollipop antennas are usually omnidirectional, meaning they radiate and receive signals in nearly all directions around the drone.
-
Compact and Durable
- They are small, lightweight, and often enclosed in a protective plastic shell.
- Good for freestyle and racing drones, since they can survive crashes better than long whip antennas.
- They are small, lightweight, and often enclosed in a protective plastic shell.
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Match with Receiver Antenna
- For best performance, both the VTX and goggles should use circularly polarized antennas with the same handedness (e.g., LHCP with LHCP, or RHCP with RHCP).
- For best performance, both the VTX and goggles should use circularly polarized antennas with the same handedness (e.g., LHCP with LHCP, or RHCP with RHCP).
🛠️ When to Use
- On your drone’s VTX → stable signal while flying in environments with obstacles.
- On your FPV goggles → better reception and fewer blind spots compared to linear antennas.
✅ Summary:
The FPV Lollipop antenna is a circularly polarized omnidirectional antenna that improves video signal quality, reduces interference, and provides reliable coverage for freestyle or racing drones.