Internal Antenna Mod: Radiomaster Boxer: Now I Love it Even More 

My only concern would be that having your internal antenna mounted so close to (within a single wavelength of) chunks of metal such as the heatsink is probably going to mess with the SWR and if you're running a watt in the module then you risk overheating/damaging the RF output stage. When you get reduced range for a given power level you have to determine where all the power has gone. It's either reflected back in to the RF amp due to a high SWR or you've got a radically distorted radiation patern and you're flying in a null-point. Neither is desirable. I think I'll be more than happy with the tiny antenna poking out the top of my Boxer 😀

Great to see the results, even if it wasn't an overwhelming success. Thanks for sharing!

Awesome Kevin 👊🏻👍🏻Can’t wait to see the next one

I've noticed that running over 250mW ELRS can cause interference with HDZero receiver. It depends on the radio antenna and how close the antenna is to the goggles. I'm curious if you've noticed this? Personally, I haven't had too much trouble at 250mW dynamic power on ELRS. Need to have rx antenna in a good spot I suppose

Wish they made the antennas like the Nirvana had it, folding into the body of the radio while in transit and folding open when flying.

I did the similar thing with my Radiomaster TX16S and Jumper T-Lite. However I used some 3d printed parts for both radios to glue a stickable foil 25*9mm foil antenna.

why is there a big cencored square over the inside of the radio? whats the point of holding it up if youre gunna blur it out?

Haven’t received my boxer but I ordered some commando 8 antenna shells with the intention on doing a foldable antenna. Nice to know I can use a regular RX antenna internally.

I use a stubby 2.4g antenna on my elrs module on the back of my Tx16s. It's a 2dbm dipole about 1 inch long. The radio fits inside the case with the antenna on and I never have to remove it. Yes it gets a tiny bit less output power than the T style antenna, but at only 100mw power I can still outfly my video range on all my quads. I originally got it just for inside whooping, but it actually works fine outside too. I hate having to put on antennas before flying!

Love this for backpack-ability. Looking forward to seeing the updated version of this with baited breath. Mine doesn't fit in my backpack without removing the antenna, and I have this nagging voice in my head saying "500 mating cycles"...

thanks for sharing! Would be interesting to see performance with a T-Shape or Diamond Shape Antenna mounted directly to the inner shell of the radio. Maxing the antenna und distance to the rf module.

I did this right as mine came in last week. Did a lot of research on the different antennas I could put in it before hand. I've actually had really good luck currently but I haven't put it through any intense testing yet. Thus far though it's been great for travel not having to deal with the external antenna.

I have a small case I use which holds my Hdzero goggles and my Zorro in one compart. (Other combos fit nicely also. DJI/boxer etc) This enables me to keep antenna on all the time.

The gray box made me scared, was it that bad or did radiomaster say don't show that to anyone

a solution having both would be cool, too. It would protect the RF modul in case you forget the external antenna. And you would exten the range if you choose to use the external in addition to the internal antenna.

Do they make a upgraded antenna for the boxer or can i use any Rp-sma antenna

I did very similar thing to my mambo. I have ELRS module in the bay and I ran a little custom antenna inside and ziptie it to the tracer antenna inside of te radio. Never had any problems with range and I do a lot of mid range and bando flying. Running 250mw and 250hz all the time.

I have the Radiomaster Boxer on order, I also have the stock antenna for the FrSky X-Lite on order. Going to mod the Boxer with that antenna and see how that works. I would like an internal antenna on the Boxer like the Mambo.

I have a noob question for you. Could you just replace the stock antenna with a immersionRC red stubby antenna

My radio has dual internal omnidirectional antennas. I can fly out a half mile on 100mw. It is great not having to worry about antenna position or breakage.

Losses and gains are always dB, because they are realtive values. 3 dBm is an actual rf power of ~2 mW. dBm means "dB relating to 1 mW", so 3 dBm is ~Faktor 2 * 1 mW because 3 dB (power) is ~Faktor 2.

I was only able to get one of the 4-in-1 Boxers. So I am actually interested in putting a spare ELRS PCB replacing the 4-in-1 in there.

I removed the SMA connector from the antenna mount and drilled two holes in the mount. Then I removed the plastics from the original antenna and took out the pcb with the half way antenna. ( one side ground and one side signal dipole). Put the signal rod thru the holes and the ground rod to the left. Works perfect for my distances with planes within 200m( appr. yards). Anything over this distance is of no use for me with my eys. Our max power in Sweden is 100mW/ 0.1W. 1W will give you approx. 3 times that distance if your drone is not extremely noisy on 2.4GHz. I never use external antennas today. Regard that as stoneage. No external antennas on mobiles either today. Nice that it worked for you also.

I'd probably design a small 3d printed mount for the sma hole to get vertical polarization with it tucked against the body of the radio.

I’ve been considering something like this on my TX16s Max MKII. I have the internal 4 in 1 and the only thing I use it for is USB dongles for simulators.

If I were to get the boxer should I get 4-1 or elrs

I plan to just run the crossfire module in mine when they finally come out with the glitter version with AG01. so Ill probably just put a dummy load on the SMA

Still flying the Mamba!

I would use flexible antena and stick it to the radio plastic shell. It would then have direct view outside from the radio shell, also would be further away from internal radio boards. And those antenas are designed to be used on the plastic housings, so they they get prefect frequency tune when glued to plastic wall. while others get detuned from optimal frequency. For example DigiKey has some to sell. Like ANT-2.4-FPC-LH100UF or ANT-2.4-FPC-LV100UF antenna. I filtered out some 53 different models DigiKey has in stock.

0:24 Thanks for clarifying that right away. It's all I needed to hear to not do it.

I did the AG01 but won't do an internal antenna. Room in its case for antenna. Still, good to see the penalty of moving it internal.

Why do you blur out the video when you're showing the inside of the radio?

Be ultra careful when removing the UFL connector! I accidentally ripped off the UFL connector from the main board. It was a massive pain in the ass. The connector was destroyed and I tried to strip the mini antenna and soldered it manually but the range was hugely affected. I've made my own helical antennas before easily so I doubt it's my poor soldering. I didn't get any antenna warnings either like Taranis would give. I'm going to order a new UFL connector but in hindsight I caused a load of trouble with no results

I was thinking of doing something similar, but with a moxon. Maybe cut a slit in the top of the radio so that the top blade of the moxon is exposed.

What do you mean "solution that won't damage your radio" if the antenna is close to metal the radio can be damaged?

TrueRC do a nice flat T style antenna which would be easier to package in might even be able to mount it vertically as well. Having an internal antenna does make a difference in useability.

I bought a 2.4ghz immortal t antenna for my tx16s elrs version

It’s posible to post a story with the pics of it , thanks Kevin !!!!

Are you gonna try the CNC gimbals for the mambo from pyrodron?

your closeups are blurry for antenna?

yes, doing antena mod, no it wont be an internal one, will be using a happymodel variant and a 3d printed housing similar to nord ant mod video

I love the mod but probably going to play it safe until I break my antenna lol

So where's the follow up video?

but much more interesting, are you going to stick with HDzero :o ?

Eyy.. He finally gone through it! This weather we have hasn't allowed me to fly as much as I should and test the mod I did on mine.. My internal antenna is positioned vertical. I removed that pigtail and yep, it is a pain to remove. Thanks for the test!

Why doesn't somebody make a folded external antenna for Boxer? It would be a great mod!

Maybe someday the Boxer will ship

I don't know, Kevin, but I think I've seen 2.4ghz internal antenas in some other radio... I just can't remember which... But they seemed to work fine. 🤔 Perhaps one of those (if they're available in the market) could do the trick! Because they were much bigger if I remember it right... You know? I believe ELRS receivers use antenas that are 1/4 of the wavelength. A 1/2 of wavelength antenas definitely would work better. Anyway, stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

Sorry, for 7:30 staff Im taking back like button push... wtf was that

I would mod my Boxer, if I had a Boxer.. They should stock them soon lol.

just get a bog standard external folding rp-sma antenna.

❤

Just did this to my tx16s max. Try using a tracer antenna. Haven't noticed any difference between it and the external. Way better quality than the garbage happy model and other junky elrs antennas. Also you may try pulling the board out and getting it on top of the board and closer to the front/top of the radio. Just my 2 cents. Also get that giant chunk of brass out of the way too.. if you can remove it. edit: commented 1/2 way through the vid. def get that rp out the way and use a tracer mini t.

Thanks for making this video, been curious about this mod. 50% reduction is too much for me so I wont be doing the mod.

I wish they should ship mine.... :(

blurred out the giblets now I cant copy DAM😁😁

TBS making all these other companies look better simply because they are not listening anymore.

e60000000 ftw

Stingy!