Converting a DJI FPV Quadcopter to Analog: Why and How
Flying a drone with first-person view feels amazing. You get to see the world through your drone’s eyes as it soars through the sky. But what happens when your fancy digital system breaks down or you want to join your friends who use older analog gear? That’s where converting your DJI FPV drone to analog comes in handy. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about making this switch, from understanding why you might want to do it to actually getting your hands dirty with the conversion process.
Why Convert Your DJI FPV to Analog?
Cost Savings That Matter
Money talks, and analog gear whispers sweet savings into your wallet. Digital FPV systems cost a lot more than analog ones. When your DJI goggles break or your air unit dies, you’re looking at spending hundreds of dollars for replacements. Analog parts, on the other hand, won’t break the bank.
A new analog video transmitter costs around $30-50, while a DJI air unit replacement runs $150 or more. If you crash often (and let’s be honest, we all do), these savings add up fast. Plus, analog gear is tough as nails and can handle crashes that would turn digital equipment into expensive paperweights.
Better Community Support
The analog FPV world has been around much longer than digital systems. This means there are more people who know how to fix things when they break. You can find help on forums, Discord servers, and local flying groups much easier than with newer digital gear.
Local repair shops also know analog systems better. Finding someone to fix your analog gear is like finding a mechanic for an old pickup truck – there’s one on every corner. Finding someone who knows DJI’s newer digital stuff? That’s like looking for someone who can fix a spaceship.
Racing and Group Flying
Most FPV racing still happens on analog frequencies. If you want to race with others or join group flights, analog is often the only way to go. Racing organizations have been using analog for years, and switching everyone over to digital would cost too much money.
When you show up to a race with digital gear, you might be the odd one out. But roll up with analog equipment, and you’ll fit right in with the crowd.
What You’ll Need for the Conversion
Essential Parts List
Here’s what you’ll need to make your DJI FPV drone work with analog gear:
- Analog VTX (Video Transmitter): This sends your video signal to your goggles
- Analog Camera: A small camera that captures what your drone sees
- New Flight Controller: Your old one might not work with analog gear
- Soldering Iron and Supplies: You’ll be connecting wires, so get ready to solder
- Wire Strippers: Clean wire connections are important
- Heat Shrink Tubing: Keeps your connections safe and tidy
Power Considerations
Your analog setup will use power differently than the DJI system. Most analog gear runs on 5V, 9V, or 12V. You’ll need to check what voltage your new parts need and make sure your drone can supply it.
Some people add a separate power distribution board to handle different voltages. This might sound complicated, but it’s actually pretty simple once you understand the basics.
Step-by-Step Conversion Process
Getting Started Safely
Before you touch anything, remove the battery from your drone. Working on electronics with power connected is asking for trouble. Also, make sure you have good lighting and a clean workspace. Losing a tiny screw inside your drone is no fun.
Take pictures of everything before you start taking it apart. Your phone camera will be your best friend when you’re trying to remember how things went back together.
Removing the DJI Air Unit
The DJI air unit is the brain of the digital FPV system. It’s usually mounted in the top of the drone with several screws holding it down. Carefully remove these screws and keep them in a small bowl so they don’t roll away.
Disconnect all the wires going to the air unit. There’s usually a camera cable, a power cable, and maybe an antenna cable. Take a photo of how these connect before you unplug them.
Installing Your New Analog Gear
Start with the camera. Most analog cameras are smaller than the DJI camera, so you might need to make a new mount or use foam padding to hold it steady. The camera should point straight ahead and be level with the horizon.
Next, mount your video transmitter somewhere it won’t get damaged in a crash. The back of the drone is usually a good spot. Make sure it has airflow to keep cool, especially if you plan to run higher power levels.
Wiring Everything Together
This is where your soldering skills come in handy. You’ll need to connect:
- Power wires: From your battery or power distribution board to the VTX and camera
- Video signal: From the camera to the VTX
- Control wires: If your VTX has smart audio or other features
Take your time with soldering. Good connections now will save you headaches later. Use flux to make your solder joints clean and strong.
Technical Specifications Comparison
| Feature | DJI Digital | Analog System |
|---|---|---|
| Video Quality | HD (1440×810) | Standard Definition (720×480) |
| Latency | 28-40ms | 15-25ms |
| Range | 4-6 miles | 1-3 miles |
| Power Draw | 8-12W | 1-4W |
| Cost of Parts | $300-500 | $50-150 |
| Repair Difficulty | Hard | Easy |
| Community Support | Limited | Excellent |
| Crash Durability | Fragile | Very Tough |
Tuning and Testing Your Setup
First Power-Up
When you first turn on your converted drone, don’t expect everything to work perfectly right away. Check that your camera is getting power by looking for a red LED or other power indicator. Your VTX should also show signs of life, usually with its own LED.
Put on your analog goggles and scan for your video signal. You might need to adjust the frequency or channel to get a clear picture. Don’t worry if it looks fuzzy at first – analog video needs some tuning to look its best.
Fine-Tuning Your Video
Analog video can look amazing when set up right, but it takes some work. Adjust your camera settings for the lighting conditions where you fly most often. Bright sunny days need different settings than cloudy afternoons.
Your VTX power level also affects video quality. Higher power gives you better range but uses more battery and creates more heat. Start with lower power and work your way up until you find the sweet spot.
Flight Testing
Start with short test flights close to home. Check that your video stays clear when you move around and that you don’t lose signal in places where you used to have good coverage with the DJI system.
Pay attention to how your drone flies after the conversion. The weight distribution might be different, which could affect how it handles. You might need to adjust your flight controller settings to get the best performance.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Video Quality Problems
If your video looks terrible, don’t panic. Most analog video issues are easy to fix. Check your antenna connections first – loose antennas cause more problems than anything else in FPV.
Ground loops can also make video look noisy. This happens when electricity finds multiple paths to ground through your drone’s frame. Adding filter capacitors or changing how you route your power wires usually fixes this.
Range Issues
If your range is much shorter than expected, your antenna might be the problem. Analog antennas need to match the frequency you’re using, and damaged antennas barely work at all.
Antenna placement also matters a lot. Keep your transmitting antenna away from carbon fiber parts of your frame, and make sure it can “see” your receiving antenna clearly during flight.
Benefits You’ll Notice Right Away
Once your conversion is complete, you’ll notice some immediate differences. The video might not be as sharp as DJI’s digital system, but it will be more reliable. Analog video degrades gradually as you get farther away, while digital video just cuts out completely.
Your drone will also be lighter and use less battery power. This means longer flight times and better performance, especially if you like to do acrobatic flying.
The repair costs will drop dramatically too. When you crash (and you will crash), fixing analog gear costs much less than replacing digital parts.
FAQ Section
Q: Will converting to analog void my DJI warranty? A: Yes, opening up your drone and modifying it will void the warranty. Make sure you’re okay with this before you start.
Q: Can I convert back to digital later? A: Maybe, but it depends on how careful you are during the conversion. If you keep all the original parts and don’t damage the frame, you might be able to switch back.
Q: How much does a complete conversion cost? A: Expect to spend $75-150 for good quality analog parts. This is much less than replacing broken DJI digital components.
Q: Is analog video really that much worse than digital? A: It’s different, not necessarily worse. Analog has a nostalgic look that many pilots prefer, and it’s more reliable in challenging conditions.
Q: Do I need special tools for this conversion? A: A basic soldering iron, wire strippers, and screwdrivers are all you need. Most FPV pilots already have these tools.
Q: How long does the conversion take? A: Plan on spending 2-4 hours for your first conversion. Once you know what you’re doing, it goes much faster.
Q: Will my flight controller work with analog gear? A: Most modern flight controllers work fine with analog systems. You might need to change some settings, but the basic functions will work the same.
Converting your DJI FPV drone to analog might seem scary at first, but it’s actually pretty straightforward. The benefits of lower costs, better community support, and improved reliability make it worth considering for many pilots. Just take your time, follow the steps carefully, and don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it.
