DIY 500ft Professional Wireless HD 1080P Video Transmission System

Build your own professional wireless, durable, Full HD video transmission system. This instructable will show you how to build a professional look to compliment your professional camera rig.

Supplies

Actiontec MyWirelessTV2 Wireless Multi-Room Wireless HD Connection Kit (Ebay from ~$40)

Uxcell Aluminum Project Box DIY Electronic Enclosure Case 124mmx88mmx38mm (Amazon $14)

FEELWORLD Sony F970 Battery Plate (Amazon $14)

Wolfwhoop SPW-D Control Buck Converter 7-36V to 5V 1A Step-Down Regulator (Amazon $9)


Dual Band WiFi 2.4GHz 5GHz 5.8GHz 3dBi MIMO RP-SMA Male 2-Pack (Ebay $5)

Jirous JC-220 5GHz 17dBi MIMO Dual Polarity (Ebay $29)

RG178 IPX U.FL to MMCX FEMALE Coax RF Cable 2-Pack (Ebay $8)

6" U.fl/IPEX Cable Mini PCI to SMA 2-Pack (Amazon $7)

Bluwee HDMI Extension Cable High Speed HDMI Male to Female Extension (Amazon $7)

Step 1: Inspect Actiontec MyWirelessTV2 Transmitter & Receiver

IMPORTANT! Confirm serial numbers match on bottom of HD transmitter & receiver, respectively. This project will not work if these numbers do not match!

Step 2: Disassemble Actiontec Wireless HD Transmitter

To reach the fastners, remove the rubber feet on the bottom of the unit. Using a Philips screwdriver, remove each screw. Next, flip over unit, remove the shiny plastic bezel on the perimeter of the unit, pulling it straight up. Next, gently disconnect the antennas from the circuit board, remove circuit board by gently pulling upward and outward to release it from the plastic standoffs and housing.

Step 3: Prepare PCB Enclosure for Circuit Board & Battery Plate Installation

Mark measurements of ports on circuit board to match PCB Enclosure. I used the far left edge of the circuit board to secure the board inside the PCB Enclosure. The right side of the circuit board is where the securing screws will be placed. Remember to consider the circuit board height placement when drilling the PCB Enclosure. If not done properly, the port openings will not line up with the ports.

PLEASE NOTE!
I am not responsible for any bodily injuries or property damage incurred while conducting this instructable.

There are various methods to cut PCB Enclosure. I used a Muriatic Acid & Hydrogen Peroxide etching mixture masking off areas to be unetched.

PLEASE NOTE!
Again, please, please use extreme caution and wear protective gear when using these highly caustic and dangerous substances! Use at your own risk!

I also used a Dremel tool to sand the edges after the acid etch bath.

Step 4: Remove 5v Power Jack From Circuit Board & Solder Buck Converter

Using a Flathead Screwdriver, gently lift the outer edge of the jack pushing back toward the center of the circuit board. Once removed, you will have 3 contact points on the circuit board.

IMPORTANT!
POSITIVE CONTACT ON THE CIRCUIT BOARD (#2) IS IN THE MIDDLE.
NEGATIVE (#3) IS TO THE LEFT OR NEAREST OUTSIDE EDGE OF CIRCUIT BOARD. #1 CONTACT WILL NOT BE USED! BE CAREFUL NOT TO ACCIDENTALLY JOIN SOLDER POINTS! THIS WILL DAMAGE UNIT!

SOLDER SMALL WHITE CONNECTOR (5 VOLTS) END OF THE BUCK CONVERTER TO THE CONTACTS ON THE CIRCUIT BOARD AS INSTRUCTED USING THE CORRESPONDING COLORS MENTIONED ABOVE (BLACK & RED). Insulate solder links with heatshrink.

Step 5: Install Sony Battery Plate & Access Hole

Mark the 4 points where the screws will be installed to secure the battery plate. Drill each hole according to screw size.

Drill a small cable access hole in top of PCB Enclosure under Sony battery plate to run buck converter cables. You may need additional cable to extend the lengths to properly mount battery plate.

Using RED CONNECTOR (7-36 VOLTS) end of the buck converter, solder black cable to black battery plate cable & red cable to red battery plate cable. Insulate cables with heatshrink.

Secure Sony battery plate to PCB Enclosure.

Step 6: Drill & Install Antennas

Drill 1/4 inch holes for SMA antenna ports. Place holes near center of end cover of PCB Enclosure. My holes are mounted slightly above the center because the standoff screws were in the way. Avoid my mistake and use shorter standoff screws, if possible.

Connect ends of SMA cables to circuit board.

Step 7: Disassemble Actiontec Wireless HD Receiver

Disassemble Actiontec Wireless HD Receiver removing the same screws exactly as the transmitter.

Step 8: Mount HD Receiver Circuit Board Inside Access Point Antenna Housing

Using two screws, mount receiver circuit board into access point antenna unit.

Connect the RG178 IPX U.FL to MMCX FEMALE Coax RF Cables and connect to antenna ports on circuit board.

Drill 1/8 holes over status lights so each LED is visible outside of housing.

Cutout HDMI Tip-shaped opening on bottom of antenna housing.

Mount HDMI Male to Female Extension HDMI using screws provided.

Connect 5volt power supply. (If using battery power, convert using steps above for building transmitter)

Assemble hardware and housing with orientation as prescribed.

Step 9: Close Up Unit & Mount Antennas

Transmitter unit should be ready for use.

IMPORTANT!
If you wany to mount 1/4 holes for hot or cold shoe camera mounting options, YOU MUST DISASSEMBLE UNIT TO AVOID METAL SHAVINGS FALLING INTO UNIT POSSIBLY SHORTING CIRCUITS. THIS WILL RUIN THE UNIT! DISASSEMBLE BEFORE TAPPING 1/4 THREAD!!

Step 10: As Soon As Weather Permits, I'll Test Transmission Quality & Distance

As soon as weather permits, I'll test transmission quality & distance and report my findings here. Stay tuned!

UPDATE 2/20/21: After several tests, I was able to achieve just over 500 feet (Line Of Sight) with clean 1080P footage with no pixelation! But this only having my brother hold up the receiver's access point antenna approximately 6 feet off the ground. I'm certain more distance could be achieved using a mast raised higher.

The Sony NP-F970 Battery allows 5 hours continuous runtime on this transmitter too!