Hi guys,
It's been a long time I am away from the forum. I have moved to Mavic Pro now, but still running a group of 600 members in my country who owns Spark.
I was also the one actively built up lots of theory about the battery matter during the very first days of Spark release, and seems like my theories are correct about both hardware and software matter of the battery.
Anyway, that's another story. my purpose today is talking about Spark range and FCC/CE.
If looking at the Specs of Spark, we will see that Spark use Wifi, and can run on both 2 frequency 2.4 and 5.8GHz
in each frequency, DJI divided into 2 standards FCC and CE. Details as following:
-2.4GHz: if FCC  = 2km, if CE = 500m
-5.8GHz: if FCC = 2km, if CE = 300m
First talking about the frequency: 2.4 is the common one we can see people use with phone, routers,...That is why it is vey susceptible to interference. However, the range is a little bit further than 5.8GHz (and the channel name is in 1 or 2 digits: 1, 2, 3, ..., 11, 12, 13). In 5.8GHz, it is newer, therefore less people using this frequency, therefore less interference, but the range is a bit shorter 2.4GHz, and the penetrate ability is also weaker than 2.4GHz (The name is in 3 digits: 149,...)
Talking about FCC/ CE: FCC is the America standards, allow longer range (as you can see in the specs 2km), and CE is for Europe (much much shorter, or I can say make Spark become useless). So, if you are living in a country that is not America or Europe, we have our own standards (Like me in Vietnam). But DJI will not go through all the trouble and make a bunch of different standards for all the countries in the world --> So, logically what they do is apply the shorter standard on you (to protect themselves against your countries' laws, of course). Now, if you ask DJI staff with standard they apply to your country, I did try, they told me they apply FCC for VN...That's is BS, don't believe them. Fortunately, there is a way to check. If you are in FCC, the number of 2.4GHz channel you have are 11 channels, and if you are in CE the number of 2.4GHz channels are 13 channels.
So, if you think your live image is suck, the range is suck (like me, when in CE, I can only reach the radius of 50m with remote controller), then your only way is trying to get to FCC.
How to get to FCC? There are a few ways that you can google by yourself.
You will ask me if I am afraid DJI will read this post. No, because:  Firstly, I am only stating the truth, I did not show you how to break the laws. And if you decide to change to FCC, you are the one to be responsible for your countries' laws, not me, not DJI. Secondly, FCC is what increase the sales number of Spark for DJI, therefore, actually I am helping DJI for not getting their hands dirty...
I hope this thread is informative and hope I can help you enjoy your Spark more.

the distance in FCC mode isn't that great either but everything seems a lot more stable than CE mode, and i'm still using OTG cable , parabolic reflectors and battery clamp.

The Spark is essentially a VLOS drone, especially in CE areas.

A CW Posted at 2018-6-12 00:45
The Spark is essentially a VLOS drone, especially in CE areas.

I agree about that part, Spark is merely a selfie drone. So, not suitable for long distance. And size-wise, cannot resist the high wind.
That's the reason I changed to Mavic Pro. But fairly speaking, Spark does what it is meant for.

Phuong Do Posted at 2018-6-12 01:01
I agree about that part, Spark is merely a selfie drone. So, not suitable for long distance. And size-wise, cannot resist the high wind.
That's the reason I changed to Mavic Pro. But fairly speaking, Spark does what it is meant for.

Bit more than a selfie drone - 500m is doable on the Spark but yeah, you'll count metres and not miles that's for sure.

I would love to have a bit more range on Spark, not to fly far away but for stability reasons. I have to keep checking the signal strength if My Spark about 100m away from me. Which is a bit annoying at times.

But it's a lovely little bird and quiet easy to fly in most of the isolated areas without attracting unwanted people.

Since I know the limitations of the Spark I know what I can do without loosing it.

I did a Spark range test and successfully reached 10,000 feet:

My opion is that the Spark is a great drone, you can used a modded app and get more out of the Spark. In fact all what the mavic pro can do, the Spark can do it also.
There is no law to use an other third party app, and you are not stuck to DJIgo4. Oke you can loose your warranty. But if you lost your drone also....google for example to nolimitdronez, look at the birdmap and see what you can do for a better spark.

Phuong Do Posted at 2018-6-12 01:01
I agree about that part, Spark is merely a selfie drone. So, not suitable for long distance. And size-wise, cannot resist the high wind.
That's the reason I changed to Mavic Pro. But fairly speaking, Spark does what it is meant for.

The spark distance here in Canada uses FCC standard and with my experience the distance is very good; it can far surpass the restrictions we have to follow here.  Secondly the Spark does what it is meant for but don't fully agree it's just a selfie drone.  it can do much more than that and the image quality is very good even if its only 1080p.

m1n1s Posted at 2018-6-12 00:36
the distance in FCC mode isn't that great either but everything seems a lot more stable than CE mode, and i'm still using OTG cable , parabolic reflectors and battery clamp.

I really can't agree here.
Having 2  Sparks and besides that there are differences between them, in FCC settings I can't complain about the distance.
I can fly both of them easily out of LOS
And both of 'em flew already further as the max distance, advertised by DJI, is telling.
CE however is a totally different story.
But even under CE I have not this max. 50-100m experience like others have.
Which I think is the advantage of the OTG cable I always use for flying my Sparks!

S-e-ven Posted at 2018-6-12 04:24
I really can't agree here.
Having 2  Sparks and besides that there are differences between them, in FCC settings I can't complain about the distance.
I can fly both of them easily out of LOS

in the UK in built up areas I can get video loss at 200m in FCC , CE at 50-100m.

parabolic reflectors mean I can get out further without interference.

on my third Spark , the others had similar range

I routinely fly my Spark much further than I can see. Never took a single "selfie" with it. I have an Air and a Zoom as well. Still, fly that Spark more than the others.

The max distance I was able to achieve in CE mode is 500 meters (it’s maxed out at that distance on CE mode)
On FCC mode I took my spark 3 km one way more than once

Fly safely
Alex

davidmartingraf Posted at 2018-6-12 01:21
I did a Spark range test and successfully reached 10,000 feet:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8VkiY2nlic&t=45s

I remember seeing this - amazing distance!

A CW Posted at 2018-10-6 06:20
I remember seeing this - amazing distance!

10.000 feet is 3048 meters,
I flew 3040 meters, Lol



Enjoy the hobby all
Alex

davidmartingraf Posted at 2018-6-12 01:21
I did a Spark range test and successfully reached 10,000 feet:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8VkiY2nlic&t=45s

Nice flight!

Happy flyin
Alex

Alex B. Posted at 2018-10-6 12:38
10.000 feet is 3048 meters,
I flew 3040 meters, Lol

Even better   

A CW Posted at 2018-10-6 13:36
Even better

Thanks, I like it too, it turned out nice in fast forward motion also
And the end video is 3.20 minutes & seconds instead of 8 and something minutes, people will much more likely watch the whole video until the end;)

Happy flying all
Alex

Alex B. Posted at 2018-10-6 14:08
Thanks, I like it too, it turned out nice in fast forward motion also
And the end video is 3.20 minutes & seconds instead of 8 and something minutes, people will much more likely watch the whole video until the end;)

The good old three-minute rule!

Alex B. Posted at 2018-10-6 12:38
10.000 feet is 3048 meters,
I flew 3040 meters, Lol

Nicely done - thanks for sharing.

davidmartingraf Posted at 2018-6-12 01:21
I did a Spark range test and successfully reached 10,000 feet:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8VkiY2nlic&t=45s

David, one question,
Do you always auto land with precision landing on a landing pad and take off from it?
I always take off from my hand and I never even once auto landing not even talking about precision landing.( it’s the first time I saw it! I didn’t even know that spark could land like that
I always descend manually and then just grab the spark with my hand and twist it in the air, and the propellers shut off.

Happy flyin
Alex

Alex B. Posted at 2018-10-6 14:29
David, one question,
Do you always auto land with precision landing on a landing pad and take off from it?
I always take off from my hand and I never even once auto landing not even talking about precision landing.( it’s the first time I saw it! I didn’t even know that spark could land like that

99% of the time, I take-off and auto-land using the landing pad. Rarely do I hand catch or land, just because figured there was more marginal error otherwise not using the Spark's automated features. I just wanted to preserve my drone in its best condition and use. I'm happy to say my Spark looks like it did out of the box, and never has faced any issues.

davidmartingraf Posted at 2018-10-6 21:38
99% of the time, I take-off and auto-land using the landing pad. Rarely do I hand catch or land, just because figured there was more marginal error otherwise not using the Spark's automated features. I just wanted to preserve my drone in its best condition and use. I'm happy to say my Spark looks like it did out of the box, and never has faced any issues.

That’s nice to hear
My spark is also behaving and looks perfectly;)
Although I experienced the jumping up and down effect a couple of times when taking off, apart from that, all is good;)
DJI does make some good quality products in my opinion.
That’s why they cost so much, lol

Fly safely
Alex

Alex B. Posted at 2018-10-6 23:10
That’s nice to hear
My spark is also behaving and looks perfectly;)
Although I experienced the jumping up and down effect a couple of times when taking off, apart from that, all is good;)

Yes they do - and I've been pleasantly surprised at just how good their customer service has been, DJI seems to be very well rounded with excellent products and excellent customer service.

Guys.

I have different problem with FCC mod. I use this module mostly on open areas far away from City , buildings etc - mostly on cornfields to check range of drone.
When I am on FCC the image transmition is laggy and full of information "aircraft disconected" - even whem my drone is on the desk in front of remote controller.
this problem do not exist when I am in CE mode.

Tried with OTG and wifi comunications. Boths with Ipad 2017 with cellular, Samsung S6 and Xiaomi mi mix 2
Software version: DJI GO 4 - 4.3.2

I have no such problem before my drone was replaced/fix on warranty in Netherlands by DJI- for sure some parts have been changed becouse I had to pair RC with drone, what should not been standard Scince I am Fly more combo owner.

Any clue? Maybe I missed some firmware update?

Spychacz84 Posted at 2018-10-15 04:32
Guys.

I have different problem with FCC mod. I use this module mostly on open areas far away from City , buildings etc - mostly on cornfields to check range of drone.

Did you try to reset the RC ?

Spychacz84 Posted at 2018-10-15 04:32
Guys.

I have different problem with FCC mod. I use this module mostly on open areas far away from City , buildings etc - mostly on cornfields to check range of drone.

Try on the Droids with an older app.
4.2.21 or even 4.1.15
Or:
Try with the go4 mod 2.0
Which is pushing your bird automatic to FCC

I switched from CE to FCC (Floater) just to get a bit more range. So far happily flying nice long distances with good image feedback,,, and for info also doing full auto take off and landing, great little machine..,

davidmartingraf Posted at 2018-6-12 01:21
I did a Spark range test and successfully reached 10,000 feet:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8VkiY2nlic&t=45s

how many batteries are you using . that's far out .

NRRTRAINS 85 Posted at 2018-10-16 13:44
how many batteries are you using . that's far out .

Thanks. I use 3 batteries.

I am aware that thus is a really old thread.
Is the fcc mode still working as the range of my spark is really sbort and the app no longer advises that i am in the wrong country.

I can confirm this still works with the latest Android app. It still complains when you are in a different region, and the warning still can be cancelled.

DJI SPARK FCC mode hack apk, point of interest, range up to 2000 meters in Europe


https://youtu.be/YfGlsLBoxK4

Hallo. My spark is at 5.8 and the frequency numbers are from 1 to 32 straight and no blue or red lines on top of them. Why is that happened and how can I fix it?

Is Canada fcc?

Is Canada fcc?