Hi all

I bought a 2nd hand P4 recently. Perfect condition, checked flight logs, all looks good, not many cycles on the batteries. Was on the previous FW.

I flew it in a couple of places where my P3A would easily hit 3km + (out over the marshes where no one dares to go), and I get between 300m and 800m before a sudden loss of signal and RTH. Simply won't go beyond 800m and takes careful adjustment of altitude and antennas to keep a signal - but eventually it just drops off and RTH. During RTH with Phantom facing me signal is worse and drops more often.
There are no radio towers, or wifi sources nearby.

I updated the FW in the vain hope it would improve the range. It didn't. Everything else is great, but range is still like a P3S.

I'm assuming this isn't normal.... I'm also assuming it may be a bad antenna in the Phantom, more likely than in the radio - I think.

Any thoughts or tests I could run to pin point the problem?

Some examples:
http://app.airdata.com/main?share=roCcQN
http://app.airdata.com/main?share=rSHsYO
http://app.airdata.com/main?share=YVncFO

EDIT: Another clue (perhaps)
Just been out for another test. If I touch the left antenna when the Phantom is more than a few meters away I can instantly cause a total signal loss (control and video). Is this normal on P4? I never experienced it on my P3A

Mine will max out @ 1200 ft. Tried everything to get more, but just won't do it with stock.

I do not think it's normal to lose the signal in such a short distance.
Today I was trying out my p4 and I got 4km (+ -)
My advice is try to use another RC to make sure that the problem is the antennas

Thanks. I sold my P3A so don't have another RC to try.

PaulSouthport Posted at 2017-8-13 13:13
Thanks. I sold my P3A so don't have another RC to try.

Try to use a RC (P4) from a friend!
I think it's the only way to know if the problem is in the antennas!

PaulSouthport Posted at 2017-8-13 13:13
Thanks. I sold my P3A so don't have another RC to try.

An outside shot, but a re-link may also make a difference, assuming that the antenna are OK :-)

Are you using your tablet/phone in Airplane mode (ie Wifi OFF). It could make a difference.

I've tried relinking and iPad is in airplane mode.

Think I'll have to check the antenna connections in the TX and phantom next.....

Anyone here, in UK, have old transmitter antennas after an upgrade? I'll pay, I need to determine where the the issue is

You could ask on this group Paul, I find the people in the group always have things lying around that they didn't sell on.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/dronejunkyard

HomePoint Posted at 2017-8-16 14:06
You could ask on this group Paul, I find the people in the group always have things lying around that they didn't sell on.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/dronejunkyard

Thanks! I'll give it a go

Here is an example of my P3A range - this was at 2200m out at 10m altitude. Looking for the wreck, I got to 4200m before making a battery decision to return.
Totally stock, RF quiet are.
No humans dare to venture out there, quick sand and tides.....

We have the same problem