Syma X5C range Hack

By
Blade Detonator
-

Yesterday, finally, I had enough time to hack my Syma X5C transmitter.

Why I had to make this hack risking to brick my transmitter? because I need more the 30m for a decent outdoor flight.

Last week I was curios what’s inside the Syma X5C transmitter and how can I extend the control, as well the flight distance. Of course, like a bad kid, I immediately opened it :)

After few minutes I found why the range is that short. The tiny antenna on the top of the RC is only a fake plastic with nothing inside . The antenna is only a 3cm long wire soldered on the TX module.

I decided to add a true 3db or 5db 2.4Ghz antenna to the transmitter. As most of the WIFI routers are operating at the same frequency (2.4Ghz), I decided to order from Ebay an antenna and a WIFI pigtail to hack my Syma X5C transmitter. Unfortunately, the shipping from China to my country takes more then 3 weeks…I don’t want to wait that much…lucky for me I found a dead WIFI router that was perfect to recover the antenna from it.

Now I have everything to start the Syma X5C range hack. All the steps of this hack are also documented by images at the end of this post.

  • Step 1 –  open the dead router;
  • Step 2 – remove the 2.4Ghz antenna from the dead WIFI router;
  • Step 3 – open the Syma X5C transmitter;
  • Step 4 – unsolder the power wires of the Syma X5C transmitter (red +, black -)
  • Step 5 – remove the original “antenna”, that tiny 2cm wire from the TX module;
  • Step 6 – checking and testing the GND and the signal pins on the TX module;
  • Step 7 – soldering the WIFI pigtail to the TX module;
  • Step 7 – soldering back the power wires;
  • Step 8 – reassemble the transmitter;
  • Step 9 – mount the 3db WIFI antenna to the Syma X5C transmitter;
  • Step 10 – Go out with my Syma X5C and test the extended range of the transmitter, hopefully up to 80-100 meters.

To determinate the exact range extension of the X5C transmitter after adding the 3db 2.4Ghz antenna, I need to borrow a radio frequency spectrum analyzer.

Syma X5C range Hack video

I think the images will talk by themselves and, if you want to extend your Syma X5C transmitter range, you will easily reproduce this hack.

78 COMMENTS

  1. Thanks for this hack. I’m not sure if my protective layer of the router anteena is soldered to the ground as it should be, but my range is about 70-80 meters now.
    Maybe I’ll try to hack the quadcopter antenna as well.

  2. While soldering the new antenna i accidentally melted the top part of components sw-6 and sw-7.
    I think they control the video camera.
    Where can I find new ones?

  3. I have two other 130 size Quadcopters…
    One, is a “Striker” from Big-5, it is an Xc-5 “knock off”, that right out of the box, has range that is unbelievable for an 80.00 copter. I checked inside the Tx and found an actual antennae 4 times longer than stock Syma Tx I added 3 inches to Rx wire…and can now fly so high and far, that a copter of this size is lost to the eye…LED lights help…

    The other is a “Quadshock” from DroneZone, also from Big-5…. and again..right out of the box, it too, has unbelievable range, and it too got a few inches added to the Rx antennae.. just in case
    Guys…Just remember…
    That range is insignificant, compared to your ability to properly see your craft, no matter what you fly…keep your birds under control.

  4. I also bought an “updated” X5C-1 stock range is HORRIBLE I get better range from my generic clone quadcopters…..HOWEVER…
    I found this fix..applied it to the Tx using a router antenna, and then added length to Rx also
    I have at least quadrupled the stock range of 30m…..

  7. I ordered a !!!2-WATT!!! amplifier from ebay. If I remember, I’ll post my findings here. I don’t expect it to arrive for another two weeks. My hope is that if I can see it, I can control it.
    ChuckB

  8. Hi,

    I recently bought a Syma x5c quadcopter from Amazon. I decided to upgrade the range on the transmitter by installing a 2.4 ghz antenna with the socket wires soldered to the receiver board. After putting the transmitter together and going through the start up procedure for copter and transmitter , I was unable to pair them together. The transmitter just kept on making a buzzing sound, I re soldered the original short wire to the board to start from scratch but it still wouldn’t work. I came to the conclusion I’ve done more harm than good.

    I went on eBay and purchased a new transmitter from a company in London, they claimed it was for a Syma X5SC X5C-1 and X5C. When it arrived and tried out it would’nt pair with my quadcopter. They sent a replacement out and the same thing happened, they have now said its not the controllers but a fault on the quadcopter. The quadcopter was flying perfectly before I messed up the transmitter. My original transmitter had a green power light but the replacements have blue lights instead, is this significant? Is there a possibility that the new transmitters are not compatible with my Syma x5C model. I don’t know how the proceed at the moment to test if my copter is faulty or not or is it a compatibility issue of the the Tx/Rx.
    Any suggestions would be welcome

    • Two different remotes, my son flew his quad on to a factory roof… Gggrr! So I got a replacement quad and it wouldn’t bind, after a lot of hour reading there is a difference, also a visual difference being the fake buttons are on the opposite side to each other and the green light one says 3D control on top an the blue one says Syma an the sets I have got. Still got the green light one in a draw.

  9. I lost my x5c while testing max range after change with tv antena on tx :LOL
    and god news is my s5c was found after about 6 months ago.

    but i’m not home now.

  10. Guys, you are aware the claimed 3 dB SS gain is VERY little? By al! means, do continue experimenting. However, you are not on the right path.
    If you want a half-decent antenna gain, you will have to go directional instead of omnidirectional.
    If you really want range, you need to add a PA, AND a decent antenna. That will work !

  11. I have made range hack but not that good. I skinned bit old antenna and added now antenna there where i had skinned old one. I tested it and it seems to work pretty good.
    I ordered last week new antenna from Amazon. A 8db antenna will work? I will post here if it work and put a link how long the range will increase.

  12. I have the X5C-1 model, and just found my old Linksys router (wrt54g v6), has two antenna’s, but only one has the pigtail. The other is linked via the PCB. Not entirely sure, but I believe it to be a 3db gain.
    Going on the assumption that this antenna is good, my question would be that aside from extending range, has anyone seen any improvement in overall control, even at ranges that the stock antenna can handle?

  13. Great hack, only problem I had fly too high and the wind grabed my copter and i never saw it again, second one this week.

  14. I’m a nine and don’t know what dipole means could someone explain. Also I want best range as possible. And finally after these mods could I mount the FPV hobby king system and fly.
    Thanks lots

  15. Hi guys,
    I’ve found the solution on YouTube and it works well.
    That dipole antenna gives me 100m easy but now I have a new problem. I can’t really see the copter from such a distance :-)
    Vlad

  16. Hi. I added 122mm coaxial wire to receiver and the same to the syma x5c main board and manage to get around 80m may be a little more. Another 20m would be sweet.
    Any suggestions?

  17. I tried the “wire hack” (seen on YouTube) and now I can’t get the copter to bind to the transmitter. Any suggestions on how to fix this problem. I’ve tried the normal pre flight exercises a million times… And nothing. Please help!

  18. I did the transmitter hack and found one bulging leaky cap. Their are two electrolytics 100uf 10v. One was not the money the other 44uf and very high ESR. They are both 105 degrees low profile. I replaced both with 100uf 35 volt with very low ESR.
    Before hack and cap replacement only 10 feet range. Now seems almost limitless.
    Used Linksys router antenna.

  19. frustrated – now i am loosing the signal on 15meters after i did the complete hack with a pigtail and a 3 and 5db antenna.
    i voltmeter tested everything for a short (ground and antenna)-all ok, no short.
    now i am not sure if i fried the radio wave emitter board circuitry (comment from *Red*) when i changed my antenna from 3db to 5 db (without turning the transmitter off, grrrr) or if i hot glued the antenna wire to close on the antenna soldering points. any idea how to fix this? thanks for any answer-mark

    • Hey, Mark, I had a very similar problem when attempting the hack. Just as I finished the board began to smoke and smoke emitted from the power switch just before it melted off.
      I have not yet found a solution but will let you know if i do.

  20. I would lilke to know if I can use a 10db wi-fi router antenna on the transmitter, and also if I need to modify the length on the unit itself and what should the antenna length wire be.

    Thank

    • hi.
      i posted earlier my question (just above yours).
      great that it had worked for you.
      please- can you tell me if the pigtail wire has to have a exact certain length, or is the router antenna taking care of all?
      thanks a lot for a answer
      mark

  22. hi there.
    thanks for your interesting hack on this item.
    my question is since i heart to duplicate the length of the antenna wire inside the transmitter (from 31mm to 62 millimeter).
    did you do this?
    or is this step just necessary if there is no pigtail used, means only the 62 mm wire inside the transmitter?
    thank you for a answer.
    cheers
    mark

    • I used only the pigtail (without any wire) that comes with the antenna.
      As I know, you need to duplicate the wire length only if you don’t want to add a pigtail with antenna.

      • @Diy Quad Copter
        thank you for your answer, this is helping me a lot.
        i had the idea that the end of the pigtail is called a wire.
        my plan was always to install a pigtail antenna, so in this case i don’t have to worry about the length, great.
        thanks again,
        best regards
        mark

  23. Also I will try a 5db antenna from my dir320, it’s works pretty well on router, so, thinks it will works same on syma’s remote. Let know if it’s work

    • Guys, it works great. 80m+ and quad flies very stable! But be careful, i have damaged one thing (near signal cable), called induction coil, without contact on it – your copter can loose signal after 5-15m. Be careful. I replaced it with some plumbum, works fine. Good luck!
      Syma x5 user.

  24. If you have problems with signal, or it’s degraded (standard wire was better) – try different antenna, it works for me, old antanna works better than new one! I can fly syma through 2 tough walls with no signal loss!

    • @visitor.
      you damaged your induction coil, can you please tell me how you fixed it? (plumbum???)
      because i am loosing now signal on 15meters after i did the complete hack with a pigtail and a 5db antenna. not sure if i fried the radio wave emitter board circuitry ( comment from #Red) when i changed my antenna from 3db to 5 db. any idea how to fix this? thanks for your answer

  25. I tried to find an output signal from the x5c camera, trying points I thought might have,but no signal, finally trying random points (big mastake) , I fried the camera. I have ordered a replacement.

    • I tried the same thing, without any positive results…
      Probably the X5C’c camera is a fully digital and it not has analog output.

  26. What a great write-up! Most often these instructional posts are difficult or impossible to understand well enough to duplicate. This renders most of them almost useless.

    This one is SUPERB! No extensive and special knowledge is needed to perform the mod!

    Thank you! The range hack should be valid for all of these toy transmitters that have less than adequate range.

    • @Red.
      i am loosing now signal on 15meters after i did the complete hack with a pigtail and a 5db antenna.
      not sure if i fried the radio wave emitter board circuitry when i changed my antenna from 3db to 5 db. any idea how to fix this? thanks for your answer

  29. hi every body.
    so, does this hack work greatly?
    i ‘m waiting for my syma x5c-1, pending his arrival, I wanted to know: finally, there are two solder points, one for the signal (the wire inside the cable) and one for the ground wire (the wire to the outside of the cable), is that it, a photo can help me to more understand…..thanks a lot.

  30. To increase the flight range even better I recommend doing like the guy has done with his transmitter antenna but would also open up the x5c quadcopter up and increase the wire for that as it is a very short wire

  32. Have you every taken a look at the camera to determine if composite video and audio could be tapped
    in to feed a 5.8GHz transmitter. It would be great to use the stock camera for this to reduce cost.

    thanks
    Ken

    • That is a good idea, I will open the cam an I will check the IC’s datasheet to see if we can extract some video signal.

      • Would love for you to look into this. I pulled the camera and probed the bare contact test pads to see if I could get a composite signal, but I did not have any luck. I was not thorough though.

        • I tried the same thing, without any success. I opened my X5C’s camera, and tried to find any analog video out. Unfortunately I got only some black & white on my TV.

  34. Hello guys!

    I was trying to make the range hack on my Syma X5C and it worked at first, but then the wires disconnected and i started to have instead of a single beep, a continuous one that wont stop…the remote controller wont connect this way.
    I tried to re-solder the wires, it didn’t work… any ideas? I didn’t use a multimeter in any part of the process…
    I don’t have a big knowledge of electronics too.
    Any ideas? Have you guys experienced this issue? Is this happening because i didn’t use a multimeter?

  38. Hey bro,

    So tell me what is the max range you are getting after this mod? I am pretty interested to know what the differences are and by how much!

    cheers :)

  40. Hi just wondering why do you need to unsolder the power wires of the Syma X5C transmitter (red +, black -), won’t unplug the power be enough? or it’s just to make it easier to do the rest and not so much on worrying it will fried anything.

    Thanks

  41. Interesting, I found an old Asus RT-N10 just dusting down, but there is no ground on the antenna in it, do you think it still is worth trying?

  42. I’ve been looking for something like this. I saw another video where the guy just used a piece of wire. This video reminded me that I have an old Linksys lying around that I can steal the pigtail from. I’m curious to try this on mine as the range on the stock TX is awful.

    Thanks!

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