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Distance of 500M before signal is lost
8983 19 2023-4-22
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djiuser_rplMhX4US0WQ
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Flight distance : 365702 ft
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My DJI Mavic 3 Classic has just arrived today and I’ve updated all the firmware to the latest version but once I fly it and reach a 500 metre distance it says signal lost

I’m not next to any tall buildings or trees and power lines and this problem is consistently happening

The main reason I bought this drone is for how good they advertise the distance to be which 30 km but my distance of 500 metres is no where near that

If I’m unable to find a good solution so I can get the full potential out of the drone I will probably return it
2023-4-22
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DJI Gamora
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Hi, djiuser_rplMhX4US0WQ. Thank you for reaching out. The main factors that affect the image transmission distance are firmware, signal transmitter power, attenuation, obstruction, and electromagnetic interference. I’ll troubleshoot for you step by step. Please rest assured.

1. Check the aircraft image transmission distance in your country.
2. Check if the aircraft firmware, remote controller firmware, and app versions are the latest. If not, please update the firmware to the latest versions first.
3. Check the remote controller antenna position. Please place your remote controller antenna in the optimal position.

DJI RC:


RC-N1:


DJI Smart Controller/DJI RC Pro:


4. Keep note of tree and house obstructions near the flying field. After flying for a period, note the obstruction near the horizontal line to ensure that there are no visible obstructions in the aircraft's direction.

5. Check whether there is significant interference in the flight environment. Please turn on the Image Transmission Settings to check the real-time channel quality. Or provide a screenshot or a recorded video for us to see significant interference. If the interference is significant, we recommend changing the flight environment. Common electromagnetic interference sources include but are not limited to Wi-Fi hotspots, routers, Bluetooth devices, high-voltage power lines, high-voltage transmission stations, mobile phone base stations, and television broadcasting towers.

If the issue persists after following the steps above, kindly provide us a video of the operation together with the screenshot of the About page showing the RC firmware, Aircraft firmware, and App version. Thank you for your kind understanding and valued support.
2023-4-22
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Labroides
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The main reason I bought this drone is for how good they advertise the distance to be which 30 km but my distance of 500 metres is no where near that
While the advertised Max Flight Distance is shown as 30 km, that's not indicating that you can fly out 30 km away.
The Max Flight Distance is the maximum distance you could fly on one battery, under ideal conditions, at the optimum speed for distance per battery.

To see how far away you can fly, you need to look at is the Maximum Transmission Distance specs, particularly the details about interference and how that affects range.
Your country uses CE standards, so your range will be less than for FCC areas.

Max Transmission Distance (free of interference)
   FCC: 15 km
   CE: 8 km
   Measured in an unobstructed outdoor environment free of interference. The above data shows the farthest communication range for one-way, non-return flights under each standard. During your flight, please pay attention to RTH reminders in the DJI Fly app.

    Max Transmission Distance (with interference)
    Strong Interference: urban landscape, approx. 1.5-3 km
    Medium Interference: suburban landscape, approx. 3-9 km
    Low Interference: suburb/seaside, approx. 9-15 km
    Data tested under FCC standard in unobstructed environments with typical interference. Used for reference purposes only and provides no guarantee for actual flight distance.
2023-4-22
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Sean-bumble-bee
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"The main reason I bought this drone is for how good they advertise the distance to be which 30 km " are you saying you have seen DJI advertise a control range of 30 km, is so where?

From the manual
"Max Transmission Distance (unobstructed, free of interference) 15 km (FCC), 8 km (CE/SRRC/MIC)
Measured in an unobstructed environment free of interference. The above data shows the farthest communication range for one-way, non-return flights under each standard. During flight, pay attention to RTH reminders in the DJI Fly app.

Signal Transmission Ranges (FCC)
Strong Interference (urban landscape, limited line of sight, many competing signals): Approx. 1.5-3 km.
Medium Interference (suburban landscape, open line of sight, some competing signals): Approx. 3-9 km
Low Interference (open landscape abundant line of sight, few competing signals): Approx. 9-15 km
Data is tested under different standards in open areas free of interference.
It only refers to the maximum, one-way flight distance without considering Return to Home. Please pay attention to RTH
prompts in the DJI Fly app during actual flight''

The above said 500m is not great but are you aiming the controller correctly?

2023-4-22
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djiuser_rplMhX4US0WQ
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Flight distance : 365702 ft
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I agree that I’m probably wrong with the 30KM distance but my drone is only able to go 0.5KM before I loose signal

Surely I’m able to fix this as it doesn’t seem right?
2023-4-22
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djiuser_rplMhX4US0WQ
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Flight distance : 365702 ft
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Labroides Posted at 4-22 14:25
The main reason I bought this drone is for how good they advertise the distance to be which 30 km but my distance of 500 metres is no where near that
While the advertised Max Flight Distance is shown as 30 km, that's not indicating that you can fly out 30 km away.
The Max Flight Distance is the maximum distance you could fly on one battery, under ideal conditions, at the optimum speed for distance per battery.

Okay understood but 500 Metres does not seem far at all considering I’m not in an urban area?
2023-4-22
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djiuser_rplMhX4US0WQ
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Sean-bumble-bee Posted at 4-22 14:33
"The main reason I bought this drone is for how good they advertise the distance to be which 30 km " are you saying you have seen DJI advertise a control range of 30 km, is so where?

From the manual

Also here’s the advertised distance of 30KM
1498C41E-FF25-47D5-B9EA-27108D157B46.jpeg
2023-4-22
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Burt37
First Officer
Flight distance : ****
Australia
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djiuser_rplMhX4US0WQ Posted at 4-22 14:52
Okay understood but 500 Metres does not seem far at all considering I’m not in an urban area?

At what altitude, are you flying 500 metres? Do you have a clear line of sight with the drone?
2023-4-22
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djiuser_rplMhX4US0WQ
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Burt37 Posted at 4-22 15:20
At what altitude, are you flying 500 metres? Do you have a clear line of sight with the drone?

The height is around 85 Metres, I’ve read in a different thread that it might help to fly the drone higher

And yes I’m still able to see the drone
2023-4-22
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Burt37
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Australia
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djiuser_rplMhX4US0WQ Posted at 4-22 15:26
The height is around 85 Metres, I’ve read in a different thread that it might help to fly the drone higher

And yes I’m still able to see the drone

Are you using the RC radio? That radio has no external antenna and it can be (according to some) a problem.. Do you have another radio to try, before we can blame the drone?
2023-4-22
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djiuser_rplMhX4US0WQ
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.
2023-4-22
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djiuser_rplMhX4US0WQ
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Flight distance : 365702 ft
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Burt37 Posted at 4-22 15:32
Are you using the RC radio? That radio has no external antenna and it can be (according to some) a problem.. Do you have another radio to try, before we can blame the drone?

I’m using the DJI  RC controller which has built in antennas,
I would probably assume the signal can be improved by adding a signal booster

There’s a range extender for sale online called ALIENTECH which I’ll probably test out

Would you be familiar with this at all?
2023-4-22
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Burt37
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Australia
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djiuser_rplMhX4US0WQ Posted at 4-22 15:51
I’m using the DJI  RC controller which has built in antennas,
I would probably assume the signal can be improved by adding a signal booster

No unfortunately...

All I can suggest before you are 100% positive that there is some issue with the drone, is perhaps to test a flight in another area, just in case. If the problem persists then, considering that the drone is new, I would contact DJI for a replacement... I also read here on the DJI forum, of a case where the antenna connector was dislodged inside the RC radio, giving very short range to the radio...

500 metre is not right even in the worst conditions... If you return it, I would return both drone and radio...
2023-4-22
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Sean-bumble-bee
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djiuser_rplMhX4US0WQ Posted at 4-22 15:18
Also here’s the advertised distance of 30KM

You misunderstand the advertising, that's the maximum distance it can traverse in a flight. Imagine 30 trips around a circular course with a circumference of 1km or 30 flights out to your 500m and back again. It is not the control range. Just for reference DJI quote the maximum flight time as 46 minutes at 32.4kph (9m/s), I think that works out as 24.8km.
Faster or slower presumably reduces the flight time and 9m/s is presumably airspeed.

2023-4-22
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Burt37
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Sean-bumble-bee Posted at 4-22 17:09
You miunderstand the advertising, that's the maximum distance it can traverse in a flight. Imagine 30 trips around a circular course with a circumference of 1km or 30 flights out to your 500m and back again. It is not the control range.

Interesting...  
2023-4-22
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djiuser_rplMhX4US0WQ
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Flight distance : 365702 ft
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Burt37 Posted at 4-22 15:59
No unfortunately...

All I can suggest before you are 100% positive that there is some issue with the drone, is perhaps to test a flight in another area, just in case. If the problem persists then, considering that the drone is new, I would contact DJI for a replacement... I also read here on the DJI forum, of a case where the antenna connector was dislodged inside the RC radio, giving very short range to the radio...

Okay thanks!

I’m taking it to a different places tomorrow and I’ll see if it’s improved if not I’ll contact the DJI support within the app to see if they have any solutions


I’ll update this thread tomorrow
2023-4-22
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DAFlys
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djiuser_rplMhX4US0WQ Posted at 4-22 18:37
Okay thanks!

I’m taking it to a different places tomorrow and I’ll see if it’s improved if not I’ll contact the DJI support within the app to see if they have any solutions

Look at the transmission graph and see if it shows lots of interference.    But as your in the UK 500m is the most we can fly under the VLOS rules.
2023-4-22
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Huginn Kenningar
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Spain
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Max flight distance being 30 Km doesn't mean the drone can reach 30 Km, means that on one battery it can travel 30 Km within the signal radius. Real kilometrage without pushing the battery to 0 is around 20Km, not 30.

Max long range performance with the standard battery is around 9-10Km and back, but optimal safety-battery life-signal performance range is around 2-4Km; past that you are going to eat too much battery travelling, signal performance will decrease and wind will be decisive in order to come back home or not.

You are in Europe, so the drone is working in CE mode, that means it will only use the 2.4Ghz band at low power (it will never use 5.8Ghz as it emits at so low power that 2.4Ghz will always be better), so you need to unlock the FCC mode in order for it to perform correctly. FCC mode is by far the best "accessory" you can buy for any DJI drone outside the FCC areas, no matter if you are flying at close range or at long range.

CE mode is just 0.1 W on 2.4 Ghz and 0.025 W in 5.8 Ghz mode, both for the drone and the controller.

Mavic 3 in FCC mode will emit at 2 W in 2.4 GHz and 2 W in 5.8 GHz regardless of the controller you are using. Then the standard controller RC-N1 has a limit of 0.4 W on both signal bands, while the pro controller can reach 2 W (same as the drone), so communication will be even better (although it's quite expensive).

My current setup is the M3 in FCC mode + the standard controller + a sun hood (sun hood clamps on the antenna, so it reduces the range a bit but it's worth it as you won't need a super bright screen or search for shadows).

PS: And in order to have the best connection possible, put the phone in airplane mode, point the antenna towards the drone and keep a clear unobstructed line of sight with the drone. As long as the line of sight between you and the drone is unobstructed, you'll get the maximum range. In FCC mode signal is so strong that under 1 Km - 500 m you don't need to point the controller at all.
2023-4-23
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djiuser_rmSJIlIjL9X7
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Australia
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Sean-bumble-bee Posted at 2023-4-22 14:33
"The main reason I bought this drone is for how good they advertise the distance to be which 30 km " are you saying you have seen DJI advertise a control range of 30 km, is so where?

From the manual

I only get around 500m from controller before bars drop from 5-2. I’m in a rural area. Nothing but open paddocks between controller and drone. Had 30satellites connected. Controller battery was full. Drone battery around 60-70%. Nil wind. None of the previously mentioned factors exist nearby eg. Powerlines, Bluetooth devices etc. not real impressed.
2024-7-6
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Majormaxie
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I have the same issue! I lose my imagery, my RC control, and thank goodness the RTH worked each time.  I flew several test runs over water & flat wilderness (having little to no wifi, no buildings, no hills, etc) but still,  could only get 6000-8000 ft before I lost all connectivity.
The "advertised 30 km number "is BS!  Impossible actually, as that is an over-the-horizon distance at 18 miles!   Maybe if dropped from a stratospheric aircraft!
2024-7-25
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