Order Number: UT_2019
Product Name: 6cf-F37-751 tbs Unify Pro32 Hv (Mmcx) Vtx
Brand: Team Black Sheep
I bought a TBS Unify Pro32 HV VTX from Unmanned Tech, and now (after a short period with no antenna connected) it is unable to send a clean image even over a few metres.
I have tested with a pigtail and antenna that I have confirmed to work on another drone, so I am sure the issue is the VTX. This issue started after a crash that disconnected the antenna and left the drone in a tree powered on for about an hour, so my assumption is that the VTX is fried from being powered without an antenna.
With any other VTX this would of course be totally my fault and not covered under warranty, except that one of the features listed under this VTX’s product details is: “Robust RF amplifier allows powering up without antenna for hours!”, and actually this was one of the major reasons I chose this VTX, expecting that this feature might save me from a situation exactly like this.
Plugged VTX directly into battery with antenna and pigtail (both confirmed to be fine).
Getting snow and heavy breakup from five meters away.
Thank you for reaching out about your TBS Unify Pro32 HV (MMCX) VTX from order UT_2019. We’re sorry to hear about the signal issues—snow and heavy breakup at just 5m with a confirmed good antenna and pigtail isn’t normal for this VTX.
We confirm the product description states: “Robust RF amplifier allows powering up without antenna for hours!” This was a key feature in your purchase decision, and the situation matches what you’d expect protection from.
To help diagnose and determine next steps (including potential warranty), please provide results from these tests (videos/photos ideal):
VTX Settings: Band/channel, power level (e.g., 25/100/400/1000mW), PitMode status (via OSD/button—LEDs: solid red = PitMode)?
Voltage: Measured at VTX pads during test (stable 6-25V)? Battery cells?
Swaps: Different antenna/pigtail/goggles? Standalone VTX test with camera?
Details: Goggles model, FC firmware, pre-crash performance, power setting/temp during 1hr no-antenna period?
Video: Goggles feed at 1m/5m/10m (with OSD), VTX LEDs, connections.
Perform in open area, no props first. Reply with info/videos—we’ll review and advise on RMA with TBS if fault confirmed (order within warranty window). If you still have any issues, please add a video showing the issue so we can pass this onto TBS for you.
Best regards,
Primary Support Agent
Unmanned Tech UK
In the video I show the voltage on the battery, then show that the voltage measured on the vtx is the same. The voltage is a stable 11.5V, well within the correct range for the VTX.
Then I show the flashes as the vtx powers up. These are:
R1, B1 - Channel 1
R2, B5 - Raceband
R3, B1 - Power 25mw
R4, B4 - Limit Temp 90
R5, B1 - Pitmode Off
R6, B3 - Smart Audio
R7, B2 - Audio on
Then I prop up the camera and show the signal quality at 1m, 5m, 8m and ~20m on the TBS VTX, demonstrating that even at eight metres it has broken up to the point of being unusable.
Then I plug the same pigtail and antenna into a drone with a working VTX. In the bottom right of the DVR you can see that it is on the same power and channel. No issues can be seen in the DVR. This demonstrates that the pigtail and antenna work fine, and there is not interference where we are testing. The issue must be the TBS VTX.
Here are the other details you asked for that aren’t covered in the video:
Details
Swaps not necessary. Instead I have shows that the same pigtail and antenna work on a different VTX.
Goggles are Skyzone 04O Pro, shown to be working fine with other VTX.
FC is not used in this testing.
Powersetting/temp settings were the same as seen in the video when stuck in the tree.
Anecdotally, even before getting stuck in the tree the vtx didn’t perform as well as I expected it to. On max power the video was starting to break up at 500m, with a clear line of sight. I was running a Lumenier AXII 2 on the drone and a vas crosshair xtreme mini on the goggles. I haven’t pushed the limits of range with my other drone and the same setup to be able to say for sure if that is underperforming (because it doesn’t have a gps on it yet) but I expected it to do better.
You can see that pitmode is off, because both lights are solid. You can confirm both red and blue lights solid means pitmode is off by checking against this video (youtube.com/watch?v=4wVEh71U8P4), where at around 7 mins and 30 secs, you can see that his vtx is outputting 1W with both lights solid.
Thank you for your message and for the detailed explanation and supporting video — we appreciate the time you’ve taken to provide this.
We’ve now heard back from the supplier, and they’ve asked for a bit more information from you before they can proceed with their evaluation:
When did the issue first begin?
Could you please provide high-resolution photos of the top and bottom of the unit for inspection?
Once we have these details, we’ll be happy to pass them on to the supplier for further review.
Please also note that any damage caused to the item after a crash is not covered under the TBS warranty. While we’re more than happy to assist and review the case with the supplier, damage resulting from a crash would not qualify as a warranty claim.
We look forward to hearing back from you so we can continue assisting.
When I got the drone stuck in the tree, the pigtail broke. That was the end of flying for that day after we spent an hour retrieving it, so I didn’t notice the issue until the next time I took it out, maybe a week or so later.
I am reasonably confident that the crash itself was not what broke the VTX however, since I still had a perfect picture in my googles while the drone was in the tree.
Thank you very much for the detailed explanation and for sending through the photos — that’s really helpful, and I appreciate you taking the time to provide all of that.
We’ve now forwarded your explanation and the images to the supplier for their review, and they’re currently evaluating the case on their side. Once we hear back from them with their decision or any further questions, I’ll let you know straight away.
Thank you again for your patience while this is being assessed, and I’m sorry for the inconvenience this has caused.
I assume there is no real way to know with confidence how long this will take? While I am waiting for TBS to come back to you, my drone is just a cool looking brick and I want to go flying again!
Can I buy a replacement VTX (the exact same one) from UMT, and later get a refund for it if TBS come back in two weeks and accept that the issue is covered under warranty?
We’ve heard back from TBS, who have initially classified the issue as crash-related damage. Before accepting that as final, we’ve gone back to them for clarification, specifically around the product’s stated ability to be powered without an antenna connected.
We’re waiting for their technical response and will update you as soon as we hear back.
No action needed from you for now. If it does ultimately come down to a replacement rather than warranty, we’ll make sure you’re looked after from our side as best we can.
I have had the final word from TBS, and unfortunately, they have firmly rejected the claim.
While we pushed regarding the “safe to power without antenna” feature, their engineers have determined that the failure was caused by mechanical stress from crash damage.
To clarify why they are so sure: electronics like VTXs are incredibly sensitive to physical shock. When a drone hits the ground, the G-force transfers through the frame to the VTX. This causes the circuit board (PCB) to flex slightly.
The Damage: This flexing can create microscopic cracks in solder joints or brittle internal components (like ceramic capacitors).
The Result: That tiny physical crack creates an electrical short. The “fried” component you see is the result of that short circuit happening after the impact.
So, while it looks like an electrical failure, the root cause was the physical impact knocking things out of alignment internally.
I know this is a tough break. Since I cannot get a free replacement from them, I’d like to offer you a discount on a replacement unit from our side to help soften the blow.
Let me know if you’d like that code and I can get that credit added to your account
Thanks for pushing back. To be honest, I’m sceptical that the damage really is crash related - given that the drone was stuck high up in the tree among the thin branches (which I struggle to imagine could have generated anything except a very gentle catch as far as drone crashes are concerned), and that I could still see the feed much better than I can now while I was trying to locate the drone in the tree.
But I also understand that now TBS have given their final word, we’re very unlikely to get any further.
I really appreciate the offer of a discount on a replacement, and would love to take you up on that. Thank you!
This whole interaction has been a huge advertisement for supporting a UK supplier instead of buying from Aliexpress as far as I am concerned. You guys have been great!
Thank you for your understanding — we really appreciate it.
I’ve gone ahead and applied £30.90 in store credit to your account (you should receive an email notification about this). This is a little more than we originally discussed, as a goodwill gesture from us, and you’re welcome to use it towards a replacement VTX or anything else in the store whenever you’re ready.
While it’s frustrating that TBS wouldn’t move on the warranty decision, I’m genuinely glad we were able to meet you halfway, and your comments about supporting a UK supplier honestly mean a lot to us.
