Conona DIY 2.4 range not great

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Put the DIY TX conversion into my Futaba T6xas and test flew today. The range was fair but not as far as I normally fly my 2m span glider. Thankfully I only had it controlling the throttle and had my spectrum radio still controlling the flight controls (or the plane might be lost).I hooked the DIY up to the trainer port board as popularly shown on many forums.
Anyone else have similar problems or might have an explanation? I would really like to fix this if possible. The range is not suitable for larger models at this time.
Thanks 

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4stripes Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Platinum (CA) USERID: 421518 HobbyKing Constituent Joined: 26/Sep/2010 Online Status: Offline Posts: 154	Quote Reply Topic: Conona DIY 2.4 range not great Posted: 30/Oct/2010 at 10:50pm
	Put the DIY TX conversion into my Futaba T6xas and test flew today. The range was fair but not as far as I normally fly my 2m span glider. Thankfully I only had it controlling the throttle and had my spectrum radio still controlling the flight controls (or the plane might be lost). I hooked the DIY up to the trainer port board as popularly shown on many forums. Anyone else have similar problems or might have an explanation? I would really like to fix this if possible. The range is not suitable for larger models at this time. Thanks

rcmodelreviews. Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Platinum (NZ) USERID: 4042 HobbyKing aficionado Joined: 06/Mar/2009 Location: New Zealand Online Status: Offline Posts: 1978	Quote Reply Posted: 31/Oct/2010 at 3:51am
	In my experience the Corona has excellent range. However, I did notice when doing a review of the DIY kit that the screen (outer part of the cable) for the transmitter antenna was not properly connected to the SMA (gold) connector into which the antenna screws. It's also very important that you do a good soldering job when attaching the antenna cable to the circuit board -- and the screen (outer part of the cable) must be soldered to the board as well as the inner. There are two separate pads provided for those connections. If you don't connect the screen or there's a break near the SMA connector then you will get lower range. RCModelReviews looks at the Corona 2.4GHz DIY
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4stripes Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Platinum (CA) USERID: 421518 HobbyKing Constituent Joined: 26/Sep/2010 Online Status: Offline Posts: 154	Quote Reply Posted: 31/Oct/2010 at 8:43am
	The soldering of the antenna and screen went very well. I don't see a problem, but I will check the SMA connection. Thanks Well, I've checked the SMA connection and the soldering is perfect as well... I don't think I'll be using this radio for airplanes until it's converted back to 72mhz. Edited by 4stripes - 01/Nov/2010 at 9:12am

Aussie Roger Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Platinum (AU) USERID: 1936 Newbie Joined: 07/Jun/2010 Online Status: Offline Posts: 12	Quote Reply Posted: 06/Nov/2010 at 3:19pm
	Before assembling my Corona module, I had read the RCM Review. Thanks Mr RCM R (NZ). So I took care in the soldering of cable to Antenna socket. By the way, I am a tech, so used to the soldering required on the receiver. Many flyers left the cable screen not soldered on the receiever which is of course required to be connected. I have found the Corona receivers have limited range, 250m. I have tried several Corona receievers and they are the same. Others report that they have no problems. The Corona transmitter module works fine because I use the HobbyKing 6X receiver with it and have no problems with range. Any one who can throw some light on this will be appreciated.

rcmodelreviews. Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Platinum (NZ) USERID: 4042 HobbyKing aficionado Joined: 06/Mar/2009 Location: New Zealand Online Status: Offline Posts: 1978	Quote Reply Posted: 06/Nov/2010 at 3:42pm
	Sounds strange. I know that Corona have made a number of changes since I last examined their receivers and (given their propensity to stuff things up -- as with their ill-fated FHSS system sold under the Turnigy brand) it would not surprise me if they've introduced some problems.
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sorenlaf Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Platinum (US) USERID: 170592 Bargain Addict! Joined: 11/Apr/2009 Online Status: Offline Posts: 52	Quote Reply Posted: 18/Nov/2010 at 5:02am
	I installed one on a JR xp7202. Version 2 of the corona 2.4 DSSS system. Range testing was done near a levy (8-10 foot tall berm) running parallel to the vector between tx and rx. I was also near a power substation, which was farther from the tx than the rx, but was fairly near the rx. Possibly closer than the tx. Not to scale ascii "sketch" below. The substation was offset as shown. --------levy-------------------------------------- ----------------rx---tx substation With the tx and rx held overhead - approx 7ft(2m) from the ground - I was getting over 2100ft(640m) . Measurement was made with the odometer on my car. Trip miles were reset to zero, I then drove out parallel to the levy and stopped every .1 mile to check if I still had a connection. At .4 miles everything was fine, at .5 I could not establish a connection. Unfortunately, I can't support the 1.5 mile range claim. Fortunately, I've had a 1.8 meter glider about 1000ft above me. It was very, very small and I question that I could have seen it at 2100ft. I was afraid to take my eyes off it as it was. I did not connect to the trainer port, but used a 'scope to find the ppm signal on the existing rf board (72mhz), and mounted everything internally. It's set up to switch between 72mhz and 2.4g. I did solder the outer coax (shield) to ground on the board. No instructions to do that, but that's pretty much SOP for antenna connections.

rcmodelreviews. Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Platinum (NZ) USERID: 4042 HobbyKing aficionado Joined: 06/Mar/2009 Location: New Zealand Online Status: Offline Posts: 1978	Quote Reply Posted: 18/Nov/2010 at 5:56am
	It sounds as if Corona may have made some changes to their design. I know the construction has changed since I reviewed the product. It's time for a "2.4GHz shootout Follow-up" me thinks!
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