Ever wondered why your drone’s range hits a wall when you’re using WiFi? If you’re flying with an ESP32 or Arduino flight controller, switching to a real long range FPV transmitter and receiver setup can make all the difference. Let’s unpack the best options, hassles, and smart workarounds for connecting your PC to your drone—without tearing apart transmitter joysticks or settling for slow, laggy radio modules.

Why WiFi Isn’t Enough for Long Range FPV

WiFi is awesome for quick prototyping, but it’s not built for serious, long-distance drone action. Even with signal boosters, interference and latency become your biggest enemies. That’s why many hobbyists look to dedicated FPV transmitters and receivers for true long range control.

But here’s the catch: most off-the-shelf solutions are designed for stick transmitters (like the popular Fly Sky FS-i6) and aren’t meant to be plugged straight into a computer or microcontroller. So if you want to control your drone from a PC, finding the right hardware can feel like searching for a unicorn.

Popular Long Range FPV Transmitter & Receiver Systems

If you want reliable long range FPV, here are tried-and-true radio control (RC) systems worth considering:

• Fly Sky FS-i6 – Affordable, widely available, and easy to hook up the receiver to an ESP32 or Arduino using PWM or iBUS.
• FrSky Taranis Series – Well-known for solid range and compatibility, with receivers that output SBUS or CPPM for easy microcontroller integration.
• Crossfire by TBS – A favorite for ultra long-range flights (up to 100km), supporting fast digital protocols.
• ELRS (ExpressLRS) – An open-source system gaining popularity for its low latency and high performance, with modules that can be configured for custom control setups.

Each of these systems has its own quirks when it comes to PC or microcontroller integration, but they’re all leaps ahead of WiFi in terms of range and reliability.

Do TX Modules Exist Without Joysticks?

You’re not alone in wanting just the “brains” of a transmitter—no sticks, no case, just a module you can command from your PC or ESP32. While most brands don’t sell standalone desktop TX modules directly aimed at DIYers, there are some smart alternatives:

• USB Radio Modules: Some projects use USB dongles (like the BETAFPV ELRS Nano USB TX) that plug into your PC. With the right drivers and software (like EdgeTX or OpenTX simulators), you can send control data directly to the transmitter hardware.
• UART/Serial Modules: ExpressLRS also offers UART-based TX modules designed to work with microcontrollers. You can send commands over serial from an ESP32 or Arduino.
• DIY Solutions: For those ready to roll up their sleeves, open-source projects like ExpressLRS let you build a custom TX module using affordable RF chips (like SX127x) controlled straight from your microcontroller or PC.

A big benefit here is skipping the need to hack apart commercial transmitters. Everything is modular—and if you stick with open-source hardware, there’s plenty of documentation.

Integrating Long Range FPV Modules with ESP32 or Arduino

Connecting an FPV receiver to an ESP32 is pretty straightforward: just wire up PWM/iBUS/SBUS outputs to your microcontroller’s input pins and use existing libraries to decode signals. The real challenge comes on the transmitter side—especially if you want to send commands from your PC.

Here’s a quick look at how you might set up a direct link:

• PC sends flight commands over USB/serial
• ESP32/Arduino receives serial data
• ESP32 relays those commands out as RC signals (PPM/SBUS) via radio TX module

Alternatively, some USB TX modules let you skip the microcontroller altogether by emulating joystick input on your PC.

Anecdote: A friend once tried modding his Fly Sky FS-i6 so he could plug it into his PC as a USB joystick. After hours of soldering (and one fried board), he found it was easier—and safer—to go with an ELRS USB TX module instead. Setup was painless: install drivers, run the control software, and he was flying his FPV drone from his laptop in under an hour.

Best Practices & What to Avoid

When picking your long range FPV system for ESP32 or Arduino projects:

• Avoid modules like LoRa or nRF24L01 for low-latency control—they’re great for telemetry but can struggle with real-time responsiveness needed for flying.
• Look for receivers that output SBUS/iBUS—these digital protocols are easier to decode and tend to be more reliable than analog PWM.
• If possible, go open-source (like ExpressLRS) for flexibility and community support.

If you want more detail on SBUS/iBUS decoding, check out this helpful guide on Oscar Liang’s blog, which breaks down signal types and wiring tips.

The Takeaway: Freedom Through Modularity

Switching from WiFi to a proper long range FPV transmitter & receiver setup opens up way more freedom for pilots using ESP32 or Arduino. While finding an off-the-shelf “pure” TX module isn’t always plug-and-play, new options like USB/UART radio modules—and the rise of open-source RF projects—mean DIYers have more choices than ever.

What challenges have you run into when upgrading your drone’s radio system? Share your story or questions in the comments below!