title_body: DIY wireless mesh network to extend drone's operational range
upvoted_answer: You can do this with a configuration known as a 'repeater'; there are a number of examples of people using this to convert their favourite controller's RC system to that of a specific aircraft, but you could do the same with a single mode:
  
  
  FrSky to Dragonlink Repeater
  2.4ghz to EZUHF repeater
  
  
  I'm not aware of an open-source implementation or Arduino examples but the above links show you may be able to use off-the-shelf parts; this is likely to depend on how open your radio hardware is.
  
  Range-wise, the aircraft and controller need to be in range of the repeater but not of each other - so you could theoretically add half as much again but in practice you want a healthy overlap. You could add more than one node but the aircraft still has to stay in range of the last one, as the drone (and each node) can only pair with one other transciever. In theory this same setup should be possible for video too - chain a receiver into a transmitter. It is worth remembering that some VTXs can get very hot if you don't have airflow from the drone, so you may need to add a fan.
  
  With regards power-consumption, the transmitter will be limited (legally, at least) to tens of milliwatts and the microcontrollers won't take too much - it should be possible to power such a system from a smallish solar panel, but you will need to compare the panel output to a measured system draw; then add a margin for safety and a small battery to smooth out demand.