Antenna Modification
The antenna that comes with the transmitter is not the correct wavelength. I used a soldering iron to remove the stock antenna and replace it with a 12.5cm wire (a full wave length at 2.4 ghz). I tested the antenna both before and afterward by having someone hold the quadcopter while I walked away from it. The antenna mod easily doubled the range.
The Syma X5C-1 stock transmitter antenna is less than a quarter wave
My new antenna is 12.5cm, a full 2.4 ghz wavelength
I tucked the new antenna up into the handle of the transmitter
Flotation Modification
I saw a sad YouTube video of someone’s new Syma X5C-1 quadcopter sinking into a body of water. I took my quadcopter apart and installed 6 styrofoam packing peanuts. I haven’t crashed into the water to try it out (I hope I never do), but this is cheap/easy insurance that will helpfully keep my investment afloat.
Adding styrofoam packing peanuts to help the Syma X5C-1 quadcopter float
How accurate does the measurement have to be for the antenna to be effective.
I’ve read that if it’s off it will actually decrease operating range.
Thanks
I used the centimeter ruler shown in the images. If you click on the image it will bring up a much higher resolution version that will show you how accurate I was. Considering how far off the stock antenna is from optimum the optimum length, you probably can’t make it worse. Good luck and happy flying.
When replacing this antennae, does it matter if you solder an additional length to the existing antenae and just trim to length? Also, what gauge wire are you using?
Thanks
It seems like soldering additional wire on to the antenna would still be an improvement, but I found it easier to unsolder the stock antenna and solder on a new one. As to your second question, I’m not sure what gauge wire I used, but it was thinner than the stock antenna. Hope that helps, and happy flying!
does the antenna wire have to be any specific type of wire (I.E. shielded) or just a piece of wire?
If by “shielded” you mean insulated, then yes. But I’m not an electrical engineer. I’ve seen plenty of antennas that aren’t insulated or shielded, but in this case you don’t want an uninsulated wire flopping around inside the transmitter because it might short-circuit something. Good luck and happy flying!
Do you ever answer the questions people ask? LOL
Hi. I’ve seen other mods for the old X5C where people have removed the stock antenna, then soldered on an antenna from an old wi-fi router.
Does this mod work as well as using an actual antenna from a router or whatever, in terms of increased range?
It looks easier as you don;t have to worry about soldering the earth on the new antenna.
That’s a good question. I don’t know whether an old wifi router antenna would work better because I haven’t tried it. My new wire antenna works well enough to fly it far enough away that I can’t clearly see it, which is good enough for me.
Can you expand on what type of wire you used? Where did you get it?
The wire is solid copper and came from some four-conductor wire I had laying around. It looks sort of like phone wire. Any small wire should work.
Thank you for the easy fix ! I would love to hear from Syma on why only 3cm. I find it hard to believe that 12.5cm would put them over budget on the x5c-1. Mine was out of control at 20 feet which is ridiculous. I would rather be charged the extra cost of the wire than have to do a mod right after I buy it ! This was a great fix, thanks again !
Glad it worked for you! I wonder if Syma purposefully puts in a bad antenna to fit within some sort of regulations about the transmission range at this radio frequency? I’m as puzzled as you that they wouldn’t do something so simple to make their product so much better.
I tried this mod with 12.5 cm of solid core 24AWG CAT 5e network cable that I pulled from a scrap pile and pulled out one wire of the 4 pair. My result was a decrease in range. My buddies stock transmitter would out-range my modified by quite some distance. Didn’t measure, but simultaneous flights straight up he would keep signal much higher than mine.
Sorry it didn’t work out for you. I tested range by having someone hold the quadcopter and walk away from me while I worked the controls on the transmitter.
Just a thought, but, if you’re increasing the transmitter antenna length to 12.5cm, would it not make sense to increase the receiver antenna length also?
Also, where is the antenna on the receiver/copter circuit board? Is it hidden underneath? Haven’t taken mine apart as yet and was just looking at your photos but can’t see the antenna
Good idea! I took the quadcopter apart once to add styrofoam packing peanuts to hopefully make it float in case of an accidental water landing. It was such a pain to take apart (so many screws!) that when I got around to making the antenna modifications I didn’t feel like opening it up again. And besides, I got enough range to where I couldn’t see the drone very well, which is my distance limit.
You should check those peanuts… some are biodegradable and will dissolve quickly when in contact with water… the type that dissolve are similar color and texture as yours…
The quad probably came with a quarter wavelength antenna, so its not far off, its just a different type.