433MHz 100mW Ground Data Module Telemetry Kit for Pixhawk and APM Flight Controllers - Interchangeable Air and Ground Modules, MAVLink, FHSS, and Full-Duplex TDM for UAV Telemetry
The 433MHz 100mW Ground Data Module Telemetry Kit is a compact, ultra-lightweight UAV telemetry radio pair operating on the 433MHz ISM band, built around the HopeRF HM-TRP wireless module and running open-source SiK firmware for direct compatibility with Pixhawk, APM, and PX4 flight controllers via APM Mission Planner and MAVLink-based ground station software. At under 4 grams without antenna per module, this kit imposes the lowest possible air-side weight penalty of any HM-TRP-based telemetry radio in its class, making it the appropriate choice for weight-sensitive fixed-wing and multirotor UAV platforms where every gram of payload directly affects flight time and performance. The 433MHz frequency band makes this kit the correct regulatory selection for European, Asian, and other regions where 433MHz is the designated licence-free sub-GHz data link frequency and 915MHz ISM band operation is restricted or unavailable.
A distinguishing feature of this kit relative to other HM-TRP-based telemetry pairs is the interchangeable air and ground module design, where either unit in the pair can be configured as the air-side or ground-side radio without hardware modification, simplifying field spares management and reducing the risk of deploying mismatched or incorrectly assigned module pairs. Both modules are equipped with a micro-USB port alongside a 6-position DF13 connector, providing flexible interface options for ground-side laptop and tablet connection via USB and air-side flight controller connection via the DF13 telemetry port standard used across Pixhawk and APM hardware. The 2-way full-duplex communication architecture implemented through adaptive TDM on the UART interface delivers simultaneous bidirectional data flow between the flight controller and ground station, supporting real-time parameter monitoring, in-flight PID tuning, waypoint upload, and full MAVLink status reporting across the 433MHz link. Transmit power is adjustable up to 100mW maximum output via software configuration, and the RP-SMA antenna connector on each module allows the stock antenna to be replaced with a higher-gain alternative for range extension beyond the standard operating distance.
Key Features
- Frequency: 433MHz ISM band for UAV telemetry in European, Asian, and other regions where 433MHz is the designated licence-free sub-GHz data link band
- Transmit Power: Up to 100mW maximum output, software-adjustable for regulatory compliance and link budget optimisation
- Interchangeable Modules: Either unit configurable as air-side or ground-side radio without hardware modification, simplifying field spares and deployment management
- Ultra-Lightweight: Under 4 grams per module without antenna for minimal UAV payload weight penalty on weight-sensitive fixed-wing and multirotor platforms
- Wireless Module: HopeRF HM-TRP module for proven, community-supported 433MHz UAV telemetry performance
- 2-Way Full-Duplex via Adaptive TDM: Simultaneous bidirectional data flow through adaptive TDM UART interface for real-time telemetry and parameter exchange
- Dual Interface: Micro-USB port and 6-position DF13 connector on each module for flexible ground-side USB and air-side flight controller connection
- RP-SMA Antenna Connector: Standard RP-SMA connector on each module for stock antenna replacement with higher-gain alternatives for range extension
- Transparent Serial Link: Passes MAVLink telemetry packets without protocol conversion for direct Pixhawk, APM, and PX4 flight controller compatibility
- MAVLink Protocol Framing: Native MAVLink framing and status reporting for direct Pixhawk and APM telemetry stream compatibility
- Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum: FHSS improves RF interference resilience and co-channel contention resistance on shared 433MHz spectrum
- Adaptive Time Division Multiplexing: TDM optimises full-duplex bidirectional channel sharing between air and ground modules under varying link conditions
- LBT and AFA Support: Listen Before Talk and Adaptive Frequency Agility reduce RF collision probability on shared 433MHz band
- Error Correcting Code: Built-in ECC corrects up to 25% of bit errors without retransmission for reliable telemetry under marginal link conditions
- Configurable Duty Cycle: Adjustable transmission duty cycle for regulatory compliance and co-existence with other 433MHz band users
- Open-Source Firmware: SiK open-source firmware with APM Mission Planner-supported configuration and firmware upgrade capability
Applications
- Pixhawk, APM, and PX4 flight controller real-time telemetry and parameter monitoring in 433MHz-regulated regions via APM Mission Planner or compatible MAVLink GCS
- European and Asian UAV operations requiring a compact, ultra-lightweight 433MHz MAVLink telemetry pair with DF13 flight controller connector compatibility
- Weight-sensitive fixed-wing and multirotor UAV platforms requiring the lowest possible air-side telemetry radio weight without sacrificing MAVLink feature support
- In-flight PID tuning, waypoint upload, and MAVLink status monitoring over a full-duplex 433MHz adaptive TDM link
- Field deployments requiring interchangeable air and ground modules to simplify spares logistics and eliminate module assignment errors
- UAV range extension builds, replacing the stock antenna with a higher-gain RP-SMA omnidirectional or directional alternative for beyond-standard operating distances.
