what is a satellite reciever?

[kdrcguy]

Hey guys, I would like to know what a "satellite" receiver is (I don't mean TV) and what exactly does it do. I searched online but didn't find any good explanation so if someone could help me out I would appreciate it. Thanks.

[Thalios]

Simply put, it is a second antenna.

It allows your receiver to have a remote antenna. This is useful when you have a carbon fibre frame with the receiver inside. You then need an external antenna (satellite).

[Being]

Or more technically, http://www.spektrumrc.com/FAQ/tm.aspx?m=133

[kdrcguy]

Great thanks a lot! One thing I did not understand in the above provided link is why exactly 2 receivers are needed when you can just plug in another antenna into the sat port and orient it at 90 to the other one.

By the way what kind of antenna do you need to plug into the sat port, how many pins, and how long?

Thanks

[Being]

I don't know for sure that a second antenna will do the same thing as a second receiver. There are other solutions out there for the problems addressed but I don't experience the problems so...you have more research to do. Please let us know what you discover.

[kdrcguy]

Hey well I actually asked too soon. I found several things. You can get a receiver with a sat port and you can buy a special secondary receiver that has only the 3 pins (I think it is 3) to connect to the main receiver, such as an AR8000, and you can get receivers with two sat ports and maybe more which is pretty cool.

It's a good thing to know and since I plan to fly FPV this is especially useful to keep a good radio link.

Another thing to consider is the receiver placement especially if you have a CF heli because CF blocks radio signals. You would have to mount the receiver and the sat antenna preferably outside the frame, such as having the main receiver within the frame but within an area with an opening on the sides and the sat receiver on the tail boom 90 deg to the primary.

[Being]

You might note that Spektrum's solution for reflected signal fading requires the receivers be mounted at least 2" apart. That can't be done with one receiver.

[bradharvy]

I have never heard anyone with a 450 and down need a second receiver, As long as you stay within a football fields length/ width anyway. I can't see mine too far out so no worries on me heli,. Yes cf frames and tubing, motors all take from the signal. I use an extra receiver in my planes as they go much further out..But hey, better safe than sorry I guess! I was told as long as one antenna wire is laying 90* in correspondence with the other, that is the goal, 2 inches apart works the best however. "They Say" lol.

[wbefield]

Good thread.. I always wondered about this.

[francisfocar]

Thank you all for this info.

[francisfocar]

Thank you for the info. Now I understand and know, the how to's, and why's and, if I need a satellite receiver

[wsucnc]

If you use a flybarless system like iKon you don't need a receiver as such, just the satellite receiver and the iKon.

[AntDX316]

http://spektrumrc.com/Technology/MultiLink.aspx