Knowledge base
What frequencies do drones use?
Updated:
In short
Most commercial drones communicate on 2.4 and 5.8 GHz. Long-range control links also use bands around 433–915 MHz, FPV video often runs on 5.8 GHz or 1.2–1.3 GHz, positioning uses the GNSS bands, and some drones connect over mobile networks. A detection system has to cover all of these.
| Band | Typical use |
|---|---|
| 433 MHz | long-range control, telemetry (some systems) |
| 868 / 915 MHz | long-range control links – 868 MHz typical in Europe |
| 1.2–1.3 GHz | long-range analogue FPV video – licensed or restricted in many countries |
| ~1176 / ~1227 / ~1575 MHz | GNSS (GPS, Galileo, GLONASS, BeiDou) – the drone only receives |
| 2.4 GHz | control, video, Wi-Fi-based drones – the most crowded band |
| 5.8 GHz | video (analogue and digital FPV), control |
| mobile bands (approx. 700 MHz – 3.8 GHz) | cellular-connected (4G/5G) drones |
Why it matters
A detector only sees what it covers. A device watching only 2.4 and 5.8 GHz misses part of the FPV and long-range ecosystem. Always ask for the exact list of covered bands before buying.
Congestion. On 2.4 and 5.8 GHz, Wi-Fi is the background noise – at an event or in an office district this significantly degrades detection.
Frequency hopping. Modern control links change channels many times per second within a band. A good RF sensor recognises the hopping pattern rather than looking for one fixed channel.
Cellular drones. More and more drones connect over mobile networks, which classic drone-protocol recognition may not identify.
For mitigation. The wider the jammed band, the bigger the collateral effect on the surroundings – one of the main reasons mitigation is reserved for authorities. Mitigation
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