I have the phantom 4. I have not been able to fly it more than 3800 ft away. The HD signal is totally fine but the RC signal will suddenly go from full bars to 1 bar and red. It will come back shortly but then suddenly drop out and then return to home happens. The thing that is weird is that when the controller signal drops to one bar the HD video feed is full bars and still clear as day.

Any suggestions? I fly with line of sight and no obstructions with antennas oriented properly.

Thanks!

Hello stuart827, is firmware latest for remote, aircraft and APP? have you tried to restart remote when it lost signal to check whether it would recover?
Would you please try different open place without interference?

DJI Natalia Posted at 2016-9-23 19:43
Hello stuart827, please adjust antenna to the optimal range during flight as the following tutorial. ...

Hi Natalia,

I definitely have the antenna in an optimal configuration and I have seen the video many times. ALso I was flying it in an open field and a lake without anything interfering. Its definitely a good location.

Is it normal to lose RC signal before the HD signal??? Everyone seems to have HD signal fallout first. I have never had that issue.

Also at 3800ft away the rc signal (not the HD feed) dropped out but it did come back. I was too worried to fly it any further.

Thanks!

stuart827 Posted at 2016-9-24 11:04
Hi Natalia,

I definitely have the antenna in an optimal configuration and I have seen the video m ...

Hello sir, there is no inherent relation between RC signal and image transmission signal.
The firmware is latest for aircraft, remote controller and APP?
May I know if it's convenient for you to use your friend's P4 RC to connect your aircraft to have a test?

DJI Natalia Posted at 2016-9-23 21:27
Hello sir, there is no inherent relation between RC signal and image transmission signal.
The firm ...

Thanks! All the firmware is up to date. I do not have any friends who have a phantom drone.

Hi, Stuart, I do not believe it is typical at all to lose Rc signal before video signal.  Any crashes or hard landings?  I wonder if the antennae on the aircraft are in good condition.   Odd indeed.

kdcox Posted at 2016-9-24 09:44
Hi, Stuart, I do not believe it is typical at all to lose Rc signal before video signal.  Any crashe ...

Thanks for the input. No crashes or hard landings. It has been like that from the beginning.

stuart827 Posted at 2016-9-25 02:12
Thanks for the input. No crashes or hard landings. It has been like that from the beginning.

Could you clarify what mobile device you're using? Use the following button combination to reset the RC:

* Turn on the controller, and the aircraft should be off.
* Press C1, C2, and shutter on the controller then turn the controller off.
* Turn on both the aircraft and the controller and link the remote.

Relink the RC manually using the following button combination:

* Turn on both the aircraft and the controller.
* Press C1, C2, and the record button on the controller, then the controller will beep like D-DD.
*Let go all fingers, press the wheel on the right side of the controller and then the first light of the controller will become blue and it will constantly beep DDDD.
* Use a pen to click the linking button on the aircraft and hold for 3-5 seconds, and then take the pen off the aircraft and wait, it will be linked soon.

This will make sure that the communication between the aircraft and the RC is stable. Please let us know if the issue persists.

DJI-Jamie Posted at 2016-9-24 12:17
Could you clarify what mobile device you're using? Use the following button combination to reset t ...

Hi Jamie,

Thanks for the help. I am using ipad air 2. I will give this a try and let you kow if the issue is resolved.

stuart827 Posted at 2016-9-25 03:50
Hi Jamie,

Thanks for the help. I am using ipad air 2. I will give this a try and let you kow if  ...

Please keep me posted.

Mine almost always loses Control signal before video. With original controller and P3P Controller.
But has good range. 6000 ft with some tree interference, 12000+ ft with a clear line.

turbojoe69 Posted at 2016-9-25 11:23
Mine almost always loses Control signal before video. With original controller and P3P Controller.
...

Have you tried the suggestions in post #8?

DJI-Jamie Posted at 2016-9-24 20:26
Have you tried the suggestions in post #8?

I did try the suggestions. I flew it in the same location today. It was at an rc airfield and then over a large lake. I noticed that BOTH the rc signal and the hd signal started to go at the same time. I got to about 4800 ft. I think there may be some interference though. I asked the rc flyers and they said there is 2.4 ghz wifi interference from the local businesses which has caused them to have to use a special type of rc controller for their planes. Perhaps this is why i made it to only 4800?

DJI-Jamie Posted at 2016-9-24 23:26
Have you tried the suggestions in post #8?

Jamie,

I have re-linked the remotes as i have 3 different models i use. I have not reset them though. Each one has had an RX firmware upgrade anyway. The RX is reset during the upgrade process.
I will be side by side testing my Gl300C, GL300A and GL658B soon.
I have tested the GL300A vs C already.
A few early flights have the GL658B acting more like what i would expect, the controller signal seems very solid,i am able to fly thru bad video signal several times before getting weak control signal.
I could be wrong, very limited testing due to weather.

stuart827 Posted at 2016-9-26 05:27
I did try the suggestions. I flew it in the same location today. It was at an rc airfield and then ...

Hello sir, please check channels on HD settings page through APP.
Besides, WiFi interference around will have a negative influence on flight, that why it's recommended to fly it in an open place without interference.
Another question, any other people fly together with you or not?

stuart827 Posted at 2016-9-26 05:27
I did try the suggestions. I flew it in the same location today. It was at an rc airfield and then ...

Along with Natalia's inquiries, do you have your Go app set to cache video etc? If so, have you tried clearing the cache to ensure that there is enough CPU space for the app to function properly?

turbojoe69 Posted at 2016-9-28 12:03
Jamie,

I have re-linked the remotes as i have 3 different models i use. I have not reset them tho ...

Could you also look into clearing any caches you have on the Go app to make sure that the app is processing information properly?

DJI-Jamie Posted at 2016-9-28 08:27
Could you also look into clearing any caches you have on the Go app to make sure that the app is p ...

I will try clearing the cache. I have not done that since I started flying so there is a lot of video on there

stuart827 Posted at 2016-10-2 03:34
I will try clearing the cache. I have not done that since I started flying so there is a lot of vi ...

Please keep me posted.

I don't understand where you guys are going with this.  The r/c control signal has nothing to do with the video signal.  You can fly the Phantom just fine without using any device at all.  So clearly,  the app is not really important as regards the control signal,  is it?  Or have I been laboring under false illusions this whole time?  I don't think so,  since I fly both my Phantoms without a device several times.  They worked just fine.

DJI-Jamie Posted at 2016-10-1 17:06
Please keep me posted.

Jamie,

Clearing the cache makes no difference. Shouldn't I be able to get more distance than this? I would not think 1/3 the distance advertised is acceptable. Is it? Is it that dependent on interference issues or is there a problem with my phantom? Thanks so much for your help thus far.

stuart827 Posted at 2016-10-4 02:52
Jamie,

Clearing the cache makes no difference. Shouldn't I be able to get more distance than this ...

If there is minimal interference, you should be able to go farther. Have you happened to see Natalia's inquiries on post #15?

stuart827 Posted at 2016-10-4 05:52
Jamie,

Clearing the cache makes no difference. Shouldn't I be able to get more distance than this ...

I think you have your answer in your post #13. If it is still the same location, then the local interferrence is what is causing your problem. If is perfectly possible to lose the control signal while keeping the video return feed, they are completely seperate transmissions. At other times it might be the other way around, you lose the video feed but the control signal is OK. It depends upon what frequency the local interferrence is working on.

Loss of signal is not necessarily running out of signal or the signal is too weak, it is more often the signal is drowned by another device nearby transmitting on the same frequency. We share these radio bands with a huge number of other non-essential radio services, some of which can detect existing transmissions and shift to another channel, but also many that do not. You take your chances.

The most telling thing would be to go out into the countryside somewhere else altogether and try flying there. And Yes, the advertised distance is conditional upon being free of interferrence and is quoted for ideal conditions.

DJI-Jamie Posted at 2016-10-3 15:32
If there is minimal interference, you should be able to go farther. Have you happened to see Natal ...

Hi Jamie,

There is no one else that flies with me. I do not know anyone who flies the phantom in my area either unfortunately. I have seen videos of people flying the phantom further in the middle of cities. I was flying over lake sammamish in Washington state. There should not be that much interference. There is a huge open field at the base of the lake and the altitude was 400ft.  What do you think is the next step? Do you think it is defective?

Again thanks so much for your help with this.

DJI-Jamie Posted at 2016-10-3 15:32
If there is minimal interference, you should be able to go farther. Have you happened to see Natal ...

Also I have noticed that if there is literally one tree in the path of the phantom and the controller the signal goes out completely for the time it takes to pass the tree. It is quite labile. Hope that helps you with your assessment.

stuart827 Posted at 2016-10-4 09:22
Also I have noticed that if there is literally one tree in the path of the phantom and the control ...

You're absolutely sure that your RC's antennas are in the best position possible?



Just to clarify, are any the areas that you taken off from considered high or was it at ground level? If not, could you possibly see if you can take off from higher ground? You always have the option to have the unit sent in for further diagnostics.

DJI-Jamie Posted at 2016-10-3 21:06
You're absolutely sure that your RC's antennas are in the best position possible?

https://www.you ...

The Antennas are perfecty positioned for sure. I take off at ground level.

DJI-Jamie Posted at 2016-10-4 15:06
You're absolutely sure that your RC's antennas are in the best position possible?

https://www.you ...

This:

'I think there may be some interference though. I asked the rc flyers and they said there is 2.4 ghz wifi interference from the local businesses which has caused them to have to use a special type of rc controller for their planes.'

Geebax Posted at 2016-10-3 22:22
This:

'I think there may be some interference though. I asked the rc flyers and they said there  ...

Geebax,

Most often I can only get 2500 ft away. The best I got was over the lake at 4800 ft away. Even if there is some interference don't you think I should have gotten more distance than that? That is less than 1/3 advertised distance. Do you have any experience with getting such short distances? Most people in cities get two times that at least. Thanks!!

stuart827 Posted at 2016-10-4 22:02
Geebax,

Most often I can only get 2500 ft away. The best I got was over the lake at 4800 ft away. ...

It would honestly depend on the type of interference once you start getting further away from the RC. If you want, I can have your Go app flight logs evaluated. You would need to sync your records from the Go app's Flight Record section.

stuart827 Posted at 2016-10-5 01:02
Geebax,

Most often I can only get 2500 ft away. The best I got was over the lake at 4800 ft away. ...

DJI-Jamie, is correct, it depends upon the type and strength of the interference. The simplest test is to go out into the countryside, well away from buildings and people then try it. That will give you your answer.

I have a P3P, much the same in terms of radio performance. But I fly most in the country well away from signal sources. Once however, I had bad problems where I flew, and on my way walking back from the site I ran into a farmer and got talking about the aircraft. I mentioned I had to stop because of interference and he told me he had a local WiFi set up for the community nearby and was doing 'some serious transmitting'. Yeah, he was, it was enough to stop me from flying.

DJI-Jamie Posted at 2016-10-4 15:20
It would honestly depend on the type of interference once you start getting further away from the  ...

Jamie--that would be great if the flight logs can be evaluated. They should all be synced up. Thanks!

stuart827 Posted at 2016-10-5 12:49
Jamie--that would be great if the flight logs can be evaluated. They should all be synced up. Than ...

No problem, I just need your DJI account email and the date you want to have looked at. If you've ever used that account email when corresponding with the North American Support center, you could provide a ticket number as well.

DJI-Jamie Posted at 2016-10-5 09:25
No problem, I just need your DJI account email and the date you want to have looked at. If you've  ...

Great! My email is stuart827@gmail.com. There are two dates to look at. 9/25/16 (11000ft total distance) 9/19/16 (19000 ft total distance). I have no prior DJI phone convos.

THANKS!

stuart827 Posted at 2016-10-6 13:54
Great! My email is . There are two dates to look at. 9/25/16 (11000ft total distance) 9/19/16 (190 ...

I'm having a hard time bringing those dates up, could you try syncing them one more time?

DJI-Jamie Posted at 2016-10-6 14:55
I'm having a hard time bringing those dates up, could you try syncing them one more time?

I synced all of the data again. It shows that it is synced to the cloud so it should work.

DJI-Jamie Posted at 2016-10-6 14:55
I'm having a hard time bringing those dates up, could you try syncing them one more time?

Did you manage to bring those dated up?

DJI-Jamie Posted at 2016-10-6 14:55
I'm having a hard time bringing those dates up, could you try syncing them one more time?

DJI-Jamie,

I haven't heard back about whether you were able to see the data and determine why my phantom 4 doesn't travel very far.

Thanks!

DJI-Jamie Posted at 2016-10-6 14:55
I'm having a hard time bringing those dates up, could you try syncing them one more time?

Jamie...were you able to see the flight data?

stuart827 Posted at 2016-10-11 06:11
Jamie...were you able to see the flight data?

I'm still having difficulties pulling it up, I'm trying an alternate method to acquire them. Could you happen to verify that the dates are in fact 9/25 and 9/19 that you want to have evaluated?