Antennas: what ships, what you can change, and what range to expect
Every kit ships with an antenna set matched to its ports. This article covers what arrives, how to place it, what you may change, and the detection distances reported in the field.
What ships with the kit
Each antenna is etched near its base with the name of the port it belongs to. Match the etching to the label on the port panel. The antennas are selected and tuned for their ports; swapping them reduces detection performance. Pro kits have fewer ports than Elite kits.
| Etched label | Panel label | Serves | Kits |
|---|---|---|---|
| DRAGON SDR | Dragon SDR | DJI DroneID — the primary detection antenna | All |
| WIFI REMOTE ID | WiFi Remote ID | Wi-Fi Remote ID, 2.4 and 5 GHz | All |
| BT REMOTE ID | BT Remote ID | Bluetooth 5 Long Range Remote ID | All |
| GPS puck | GPS | Unit position. Supplied and required on Drop-In; optional on Mobile | All |
| FPV 5.8 | FPV 5.8 Ghz | FPV video activity, 5 GHz | Elite only |
| FPV 900 | FPV 900Mhz | Control and telemetry links, 900 MHz | Elite only |
Several antennas look identical and differ only by etching. Read the label before fitting each one. Leave any unlabeled port unconnected.
Connecting
- Remove the protective caps from the ports you are using.
- Screw each supplied paddle antenna onto its port by hand until it is snug. Thumb-tight is correct; do not use tools.
- Fit every antenna before connecting power.
Important If you run coax to remote antennas instead, tighten each SMA cable connector by its nut to 3–5 in-lb with an SMA torque wrench, never by the cable or with pliers. Loose connectors are one of the most common causes of missing detections; over-tightened ones crack the connector.
Placement
- Clear line of sight to the sky. Elevate as high as practical.
- Position antennas vertically.
- Separate antennas by at least one wavelength — about 12 cm at 2.4 GHz.
- Avoid metal surfaces directly behind an antenna.
- Weatherproof every outdoor connection.
Where antennas cannot mount directly on the panel — a Drop-In unit inside a metal cabinet, for example — move them to bulkhead mounts and connect with low-loss coax. For runs over about 1 meter use LMR-240 or equivalent; roughly 3 meters of RG-58 loses about 3 dB at 2.4 GHz. The Multi-Antenna Mount carries up to six antennas on a single pole; its assembly guide is on the support page.
By deployment type
| Deployment | Where the antennas go | Points to watch |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle | On the roof, with the unit inside the vehicle | Use weatherproof antenna bases and run low-loss coax inside. Magnetic mounts suit temporary use. |
| Fixed site | At roof level, as high as practical, with the unit inside the structure | Keep a clear line of sight to the sky, weatherproof every connection, and consider lightning protection. |
| Portable | On a pole or mast above the carried unit | Keep coax runs short to limit loss. Compact or folding antennas are easier to carry; a directional antenna adds reach along one approach. |
Using your own antennas
All external RF ports are SMA female and accept any antenna or cable with an SMA male connector. You may substitute your own antennas — higher-gain omnidirectional, directional, or panel antennas for a fixed site, for example — and connect coax and inline devices of your choosing. This does not void the warranty as long as the kit itself is not modified and the unit is not electrically damaged. See Warranty coverage and how to make a claim.
Keep the band right: an antenna for the Dragon SDR port must cover 2.4 and 5.8 GHz; the 900 MHz port needs a 900 MHz antenna. The WarDragon Antenna Upgrade is available for any kit configuration, and custom antenna configurations for fixed and semi-fixed deployments are available on request through the contact form.
Critical Never connect a transmitter to any port. Every port is receive-only, and transmit power into a receiver is electrical damage the warranty excludes.
What range to expect
The figures below are field observations, not specifications. Detection distance depends on the RF environment, the antennas, their height and placement, line of sight, interference, and the transmit power of the specific aircraft. The same kit gives different results on a rooftop, in a vehicle, and inside a cabinet. No range is guaranteed.
| Signal | Setup | Reported range |
|---|---|---|
| DJI DroneID | Supplied antenna, obstructed or urban site | Several hundred meters |
| DJI DroneID | Supplied antenna, clear line of sight | 1–2 km |
| DJI DroneID | External low-noise amplifier and directional antenna, elevated, favorable RF environment | Up to about 10 km |
| Bluetooth 5 Long Range Remote ID | Supplied antenna | About 500 m |
| Wi-Fi Remote ID | Supplied antenna | About 200 m |
To extend coverage, elevate the antennas, improve line of sight, use higher-gain or directional antennas along an expected approach, keep away from metal structures and high-interference areas, or add nodes. Directional antennas must be aimed toward expected drone activity.
Related
- WarDragon User Guide, Section 3.1 — antennas and placement
- WarDragon Drop-In Installation Guide, Sections 2 and 5 — parts identification and antenna installation
- WarDragon User Guide, Section 10.4 — no detections and short range
WarDragon is manufactured by Millenium Products Inc. Technical support for purchased kits is requested through the support page. Purchasing and quote requests go through the contact form.