In the rapidly evolving world of First Person View (FPV) drone technology, hardware often earns nicknames based on its visual profile. To the uninitiated, hearing a pilot ask about a “strawberry candy” might seem like a conversation about confectionery. However, in the context of drone accessories and radio frequency (RF) hardware, the “strawberry candy” refers to one of the most revolutionary components in FPV history: the TBS Triumph antenna.
Developed through a collaboration between Team BlackSheep (TBS) and Video Aerial Systems (VAS), specifically designed by the legendary IBcrazy (Alex Greve), the TBS Triumph redefined what a 5.8GHz circular polarized antenna could be. Its distinctive red, bulbous, and rugged plastic housing earned it the affectionate moniker “strawberry candy” or “lollipop.” While newer designs have since entered the market, the legacy of the “strawberry candy” antenna remains a cornerstone of drone accessory development, representing the bridge between fragile DIY components and professional-grade, durable hardware.
The Evolution of the FPV Antenna: From Cloverleafs to the Triumph
To understand why the “strawberry candy” became such a significant accessory, one must look at the state of FPV technology prior to its release. In the early days of drone racing and freestyle, antennas were notoriously fragile. Most pilots used “cloverleaf” or “skew-planar” antennas, which consisted of exposed lobes of copper wire soldered to a coaxial cable. While these offered excellent signal quality, a single crash—which is a frequent occurrence in drone flight—would often bend the wires or snap the solder joints, resulting in instant signal loss and potentially frying the Video Transmitter (VTX).
The Collaboration of Giants
The birth of the TBS Triumph was a turning point for drone accessories. Team BlackSheep, known for pushing the boundaries of long-range and freestyle flight, partnered with IBCrazy, the world’s foremost expert in small-scale antenna theory. The goal was to create an antenna that maintained the high-performance signal characteristics of a specialized circular polarized antenna while being virtually indestructible.
The result was a design that moved away from the traditional exposed wire lobes. Instead, the “strawberry candy” utilized a specialized internal structure housed within a heavy-duty, ultrasonic-welded, and foam-filled polycarbonate shell. This housing not only protected the delicate internals but also gave it the iconic red look that led to its sweet-themed nickname.
Why the Design Changed Everything
Before the Triumph, antennas were considered disposable items. The “strawberry candy” shifted the paradigm, making the antenna a permanent fixture of the drone’s airframe. By using ultrasonic welding, the housing became a single, solid piece that could withstand the high-velocity impacts common in racing. This durability meant that pilots could focus on their flight paths and cinematic maneuvers rather than worrying about whether a minor “gate tap” would end their session.
The Physics of the “Strawberry Candy”: Circular Polarization Explained
While the aesthetic of the “strawberry candy” is what earned its name, its technical performance is what kept it on drones for years. The antenna is a Circular Polarized (CP) antenna, which is an essential accessory for any serious FPV setup.
Understanding Multipath Interference
The primary reason FPV pilots use circular polarized antennas like the TBS Triumph is to combat multipath interference. When a drone transmits a video signal, the radio waves bounce off objects like trees, buildings, and the ground. With a standard linear antenna, these reflected signals can arrive at the receiver slightly out of phase, causing “ghosting,” static, or total signal dropout.
Circular polarization solves this by “spinning” the signal. If a Right-Hand Circular Polarized (RHCP) signal bounces off a wall, it changes its orientation to Left-Hand Circular Polarized (LHCP). A “strawberry candy” antenna set to RHCP will largely ignore the reflected LHCP signal, resulting in a much cleaner video feed. This is why you will see these antennas categorized by their “handedness”—either RHCP (often the standard) or LHCP.
Axial Ratio and Gain
The “strawberry candy” was praised for its exceptional axial ratio. In antenna theory, the axial ratio measures how “circular” the polarization actually is. A perfect circle has a ratio of 1. The closer an antenna gets to this, the better it is at rejecting interference. The TBS Triumph was engineered to provide a near-perfect axial ratio across the entire 5.8GHz band, ensuring that whether a pilot was on Channel 1 or Channel 8, their video remained stable.
Furthermore, the gain of these antennas—usually around 1.26dbic—was optimized for all-around flight. Rather than focusing the signal in a narrow beam (like a patch antenna), the “strawberry candy” provides an omnidirectional pattern, allowing the drone to flip, roll, and fly behind the pilot without losing the link.
Essential Considerations for Modern Drone Accessories
As FPV technology has matured, the “strawberry candy” has paved the way for a whole ecosystem of accessories. When choosing antennas today, pilots must look at several factors that were first popularized by the Triumph design.
Connector Types: SMA, RP-SMA, and Beyond
One of the technical hurdles for beginners in the drone hobby is navigating connector types. The original “strawberry candy” antennas primarily used SMA (Sub-Miniature version A) connectors. However, as drones became smaller, the need for lighter accessories grew. This led to the rise of:
- U.FL (IPEX): Tiny connectors found on micro-drones and internal VTX modules.
- MMCX: A mid-sized, snap-on connector that offers more durability than U.FL but less weight than SMA.
- RP-SMA: Often confused with SMA, these have the pin and hole reversed.
Choosing the right “strawberry candy” style antenna requires a strict match with the VTX connector to avoid the need for heavy adapters, which can introduce signal loss (attenuation).
The Rise of the “Lollipop” Style
Following the success of the TBS Triumph, other manufacturers like Foxeer and EMAX released their own versions, often referred to as “Lollipops.” These antennas are even smaller and lighter, using the same “strawberry candy” philosophy of a protected internal element but refined for the high-performance requirements of modern racing drones where every gram matters.
These accessories have become so ubiquitous that the term “Lollipop antenna” is now frequently used interchangeably with “strawberry candy antenna.” They utilize printed circuit board (PCB) technology for the internal elements, which allows for even tighter manufacturing tolerances and more consistent performance across thousands of units.
Durability and Protection: The Accessory Lifecycle
The “strawberry candy” wasn’t just a signal booster; it was a protective measure for the most expensive parts of a drone. In drone electronics, the Video Transmitter generates a significant amount of heat. If a drone is powered on without an antenna attached, or if the antenna breaks mid-flight, the energy has nowhere to go and reflects back into the transmitter. This is measured by the Standing Wave Ratio (SWR).
Protecting the VTX
A high-quality antenna like the Triumph ensures a low SWR. By being physically rugged (the “strawberry” shell), the antenna protects the VTX from burning out during a crash. This protective quality is why high-end drone accessories are often worth the investment. Replacing a $15 antenna is significantly more cost-effective than replacing a $50–$100 digital video transmitter.
Mounting Strategies
To maximize the lifespan of these accessories, pilots have developed specific mounting techniques. Using 3D-printed TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane) mounts, pilots often secure the “strawberry candy” at the rear of the drone at a 45-degree angle. This placement ensures that even when the drone is tilted forward during high-speed flight, the antenna remains relatively vertical, providing the best possible signal coverage back to the pilot’s goggles.
The Future of FPV Imaging and Signal Accessories
As we move further into the era of digital FPV—led by systems from DJI, Walksnail, and HDZero—the “strawberry candy” antenna is evolving again. Digital systems often require multiple antennas (MIMO – Multiple Input Multiple Output) to handle the massive amounts of data required for 1080p 60fps video feeds.
Dual-Band and High-Frequency Innovation
The next generation of “strawberry candy” accessories is moving toward dual-band capabilities, supporting both 2.4GHz and 5.8GHz. This allows for integrated control links and video feeds within the same antenna structure. Furthermore, the materials used in the “candy” shell are being refined to be even more transparent to RF signals, reducing the “insertion loss” that occurs when a signal passes through plastic.
Conclusion: More Than Just a Nickname
The “strawberry candy” antenna is a testament to the importance of specialized accessories in the drone industry. What started as a clever way to protect a fragile copper wire became a visual icon of the hobby. It represents the intersection of electrical engineering, material science, and the practical needs of pilots who demand hardware that can survive the rigors of flight.
Whether you call it a TBS Triumph, a Lollipop, or a strawberry candy, this accessory remains the gold standard for omnidirectional FPV signal transmission. It reminds us that in the world of high-tech drones, sometimes the most important innovation is the one that allows you to crash, get back up, and keep flying.