Quick Answer
Microhard radios are IP-based radios that can carry video, telemetry, and other data over one long-range link, instead of needing separate radios for each. They suit professional and enterprise drones that need a single, reliable data pipe over distance.
What Makes Microhard Different
Most long-range radios do one job well. One radio sends control signals. Another radio sends telemetry text. A Microhard radio works more like a small wireless network instead. It moves data in the same style as the internet. That means it can carry video, telemetry, and even files over one single link.
Because the link acts like a network, it pairs well with a companion computer on the drone. This could be a small computer running a flight app, a camera feed, or a mapping tool. Almost anything that can send data over a network can also send it over this radio link.
How the IP-Based Link Works
An IP-based link sends data in small packets. This is the same basic idea used by home Wi-Fi and cell phones. It is different from older telemetry radios. Those older radios send one simple stream of data over a single open channel.
A packet-based link is more flexible. You can send a video feed and a telemetry stream over the same radio at the same time. The radio decides how to fit both into the space it has. The trade-off is setup. You are now configuring a small network, not just matching two simple radios together.
Common Modes and Setups
Microhard radios usually offer a few connection modes. Each one suits a different job:
- Point-to-point links one drone to one ground station. This is the most common setup for a single drone.
- Point-to-multipoint lets one ground station talk to several drones or remote units at once.
- Mesh mode lets several radios relay data to each other. This helps in hard terrain where one radio alone cannot reach far enough.
Each mode changes how far the link reaches and how much data it can carry. For a single drone, point-to-point mode usually gives the best range and the steadiest performance.
Video and Telemetry on One Radio
A Microhard radio can send a live video feed and MAVLink telemetry over one single connection. This cuts down the number of radios and antennas your drone must carry. Fewer radios means less weight and simpler wiring.
There is a trade-off, though. Video quality now shares space with telemetry and any other data on the link. If you need very sharp video at long range, a separate video system may still serve you better. Our telemetry radios guide explains that simpler, split-link approach in more detail.
When Microhard Beats a Simple Serial Radio
A basic serial telemetry radio, such as an RFD900-class unit, is lighter and cheaper. It is also simpler to set up. It works well for most hobby and small commercial drones.
A Microhard-style radio makes more sense in a few cases:
- You need video and telemetry on one reliable link.
- Your drone carries a companion computer that needs a network connection.
- You are building a relay chain across several radios.
- Your mission may need to carry new data types later, without adding new radios.
If your mission is simple, a dedicated telemetry radio paired with a separate video system is usually lighter. It is also easier to maintain over time.
Match the radio to the mission. A network-style radio adds capability, but also adds setup complexity that a simple mission may not need.
Setup Basics
Setting up a Microhard-style radio takes a few steps. First, you set an IP address for each unit. Next, you pick a connection mode. Then you match the frequency and channel settings on both units. Last, you wire your video and telemetry sources into the radio's data ports.
These radios act like network devices. Because of that, you often set them up through a web browser, not through normal ground station software. Keep a written note of your settings. A mismatch between the air and ground unit is the most common cause of a failed link.
Always check that your frequency band and transmit power are legal in your region. Some IP-based radios also fall under NDAA compliance rules. These rules matter most to government and enterprise buyers.
Weight and Power Draw
A Microhard-style radio is often heavier than a simple telemetry radio. It packs more parts to handle network-style data. Those extra parts add grams. They also draw more current from your battery.
Weigh the radio, its antenna, and its cables together before you fit one to a small drone. Check that your power system can feed it steady current. It must do this without starving your flight controller or other payloads. On a larger platform built for mapping or enterprise work, this weight and power cost matters less next to the data the radio makes possible.