Short answer: to jam a drone, EW must work on the same frequency the drone is controlled on. FPV and Mavic live in different bands, so EW is matched to the specific threat. Let's break it down.
Why frequencies decide everything
A drone receives commands and sends video on specific radio frequencies. EW is only effective where its band overlaps the drone's. If they don't intersect, the aircraft simply won't notice the interference.
So "how much power?" is secondary. First comes "which bands does the complex cover?" — that determines which drones it stops.
The main bands and what they cover
In practice most threats sit in a few bands.
· 420–580 MHz — low-band controlled aircraft and some FPV.
· 700–1050 MHz — the most common FPV control channels.
· 1700–2700 MHz — video and control for Mavic and commercial UAVs.
· 2.4 and 5.8 GHz — Mavic Wi-Fi channels; drops also run here.
Complexes like «Amulet» with 300–1050 and 1700–2700 MHz cover several threats at once.
FPV vs Mavic: the difference
FPV drones are mostly fast kamikaze aircraft on analog or digital channels in the lower bands (often 700–1050 MHz). The «Amulet» on 700–1050 MHz works against them.
Mavic are commercial aircraft controlled on 2.4/5.8 GHz that stream video on higher frequencies. They call for 1700–2700 MHz plus 2.4/5.8 GHz, as in the «Amulet» on 1700–2700 MHz.
For a mixed threat, take multi-band solutions — for example «Omega-1», covering 300–580, 700–1050 and 1700–2700 MHz.
How many bands you need
The rule of thumb:
· One drone type dominates → 1–2 bands are enough.
· Threat varies or is unknown → take a 4-band complex.
Wider coverage costs more and weighs more, so "everything at once" isn't always worth it. Sometimes two simpler tools for different tasks make more sense.
Frequencies and antennas
Bands are set not only by the jammer but by the antenna: its type decides how evenly the interference covers space. So band selection goes hand in hand with antenna selection — see the article on EW antenna types.
To complete a system with antennas and cables, see antennas & accessories.
Matching bands to your area
The most precise approach is to start from what actually flies near you. Drone detectors and neighboring units' experience help find that out.
Not sure — describe the situation in contacts, and we'll propose a vehicle or portable EW configuration for your frequencies.
How frequency relates to power and range
Two different parameters often get confused: band and power. The band determines which drones the complex can jam at all; the power determines at what distance it does so.
So "more watts" doesn't make up for a missing band. First make sure the complex covers the needed frequencies, and only then look at power and radius.
Another nuance: the higher the frequency (2.4/5.8 GHz), the faster the signal fades with distance and the worse it bends around obstacles. So for Mavic on high bands the right antenna and line of sight are critical, while low-band FPV is jammed at a slightly greater distance, all else equal. On the antenna's role in this, see the article on EW antenna types.
Questions & answers
What frequencies do FPV drones use?
Most often 700–1050 MHz, plus the lower bands. Some aircraft use 2.4/5.8 GHz.
What frequencies does a Mavic use?
Control on 2.4 and 5.8 GHz; video and service channels in the 1700–2700 MHz range depending on model and mode.