Introduction
Antenna placement is one of the most critical — and most frequently botched — aspects of FPV drone building. A poorly mounted antenna can cut your video range in half, introduce noise, and cost you a quad. 3D printing offers the perfect solution: custom mounts that position your antennas precisely where they need to be.
This guide covers 3D-printed antenna mounts for all major FPV systems, with a special focus on Immortal T mounts for long-range ExpressLRS builds.
Why Antenna Mounting Matters
Radio frequency signals obey the laws of physics, not pilot preference. Key principles:
- Polarization matters: Transmitter and receiver antennas should share the same polarization (typically linear for ELRS, circular for video)
- Separation is critical: Video and control antennas should be as far apart as possible to avoid interference
- Orientation affects radiation pattern: A vertically oriented dipole has a donut-shaped pattern — strong to the sides, weak directly above
- Carbon fiber blocks RF: Never mount antennas behind carbon fiber plates
- The null is real: Every antenna has a null zone — the tip of a dipole radiates almost nothing
Video Antenna Mounts
SMA Pigtail Mounts
The most common setup: a U.FL-to-SMA pigtail running from the VTX to a 3D-printed mount that holds the SMA connector firmly. Design considerations:
- Reinforce the SMA cutout — this is a high-stress point in crashes
- Include zip-tie channels for cable management
- Design for standard SMA bulkhead connectors (6.5mm diameter)
- Print in TPU for impact absorption, PETG if you need stiffness
Direct U.FL Antenna Mounts (Whoops/Micros)
For builds where every gram counts, skip the SMA connector entirely. Print a small mount that routes the U.FL antenna directly. The mount should:
- Protect the fragile U.FL connector from crash damage
- Maintain antenna orientation (typically vertical or 45°)
- Use minimal material — every gram on a whoop counts
DJI O3/Walksnail Antenna Mounts
The O3 Air Unit uses dual antennas (linearly polarized dipoles). Many aftermarket circular polarized antennas are available via U.FL connectors. Print mounts that:
- Position both antennas at 90° to each other for diversity
- Keep antennas clear of the frame and battery
- Support the popular TrueRC and Lumenier O3 antennas
Immortal T Mounts for ExpressLRS
The “Immortal T” is arguably the most iconic 3D-printed part in FPV. It’s a mount designed for the T-shaped antenna that comes with most ExpressLRS receivers. Here’s why it became essential:
The Problem
ExpressLRS uses 2.4GHz or 900MHz with a linear dipole antenna. The active element is the exposed wire at the end — the rest is coaxial cable. To maximize range, this active element needs to be held straight, away from the frame, and oriented correctly. Zip-tying it to an arm works but exposes it to prop strikes and crash damage.
The Solution
The Immortal T mount holds the active element in a protected channel, with the coaxial cable routed through the body. It mounts to standard frame standoffs (usually 20×20 or 30.5×30.5mm patterns). The result: a clean, aerodynamic, protected antenna installation that maximizes your ExpressLRS link budget.
Design Variants for 2026
The open-source community has evolved the Immortal T into multiple variants:
- Standard Immortal T: Vertical orientation, best for general freestyle
- Flat Immortal T: Horizontal orientation, for low-profile racing builds
- Dual Immortal T: Holds two antennas for diversity receivers
- 900MHz Immortal T: Larger, tuned for 868/915MHz antennas
- Gemini Immortal T: For ExpressLRS Gemini diversity modules
Printing Tips
- Material: TPU 95A is ideal — flexible enough to absorb crashes, stiff enough to hold shape
- Infill: 40-60% — too solid and the part transmits vibration
- Orientation: Print flat with the antenna channel facing up for best strength
- Supports: Usually not needed for well-designed Immortal T models
GPS Module Mounts
Modern FPV builds increasingly include GPS for rescue mode (Betaflight GPS Rescue, INAV Return to Home). GPS antennas need:
- Clear view of the sky (no carbon fiber above)
- Distance from VTX antenna (at least 5cm)
- Distance from 900MHz ELRS antenna (interference at 900MHz GPS band)
3D-printed GPS mounts typically position the module on a rear arm or on a mast above the stack. TPU is preferred for vibration isolation — GPS modules are sensitive to high-frequency vibration.
Cable Management
FPV builds accumulate cables: camera, VTX, receiver, buzzer, GPS, capacitor. A clean build is a reliable build. Print:
- Cable routing channels integrated into antenna mounts
- Wire management clips that snap onto standoffs
- RX antenna guides that route the thin receiver wires away from props
Where to Find Designs
The FPV community shares antenna mount designs freely:
- Thingiverse/Printables: Search “Immortal T”, “FPV antenna mount”
- FPV-specific sites: RotorBuilds.com, IntoFPV.com
- GitHub: Many frame designers include STL files for custom mounts
- Ready-to-print packs: Brain3D, RaceDayQuads, and Pyrodrone sell print-on-demand TPU mounts
Conclusion
Don’t underestimate antenna mounting. A thoughtful 3D-printed antenna mount can be the difference between a 10km long-range flight and a failsafe 500 meters out. Start with the Immortal T for your ELRS receiver, add a TPU SMA mount for your video antenna, and if you run GPS, give it a dedicated mount with a clear sky view. Your RSSI and video signal will thank you.