You should use autoswitching.  5.8GHz has significantly less range than 2.4GHz.  Distance is governed by frequency, strength and the type of antenna.  5.8GHz can carry more data, and therefore has a better image than 2.4GHz.  They give both frequencies for when you are in places with crowded signals.  There is nothing wrong with DJI and 5.8GHz.  If you remember when we had cordless phones, you could use your 5.8GHz outside in the yard before it would break up.  You could use your 2.4GHz cordless phone down a few houses on your block, and you could use your 900MHz cordless phone a few blocks away.  I could sometimes receive calls on my 900MHz cordless phone when I was at the grocery store.  The lower the frequency the longer the range.

I was flying today and I tried using the mode that alows the p4p to follow its subject. I was set to 5.8GHz and I had perfect line of sight. My distance was well within range and the mode failed because of signal. I am a new pilot, but I'm very tech savvy. I'll do another test flight and see what I come up with.

I tried 5.8 GHz for the first time today with my P4P and got phenomenal results. Before I knew it I was over 20,000 feet away at just over 100' altitude. I still had rock solid video but battery level initiated a RTH. I don't get anywhere near that distance on 2.4 GHz. This was over a sparsely populated area.

Regarding the lower frequency giving better range, these frequencies are not that far apart and most time you will have clear line of sight between antennas. I think other factors are affecting range- not the difference in frequency. Just my thoughts.

Same issue here, about 500/500 mtrs above the sea with no obstructions in a desolated pacific area: signal loss. Have read all the posts and will try setting 2.4 ghz...
Strugling...

Rtheo Posted at 2017-1-10 00:43
Same issue here, about 500/500 mtrs above the sea with no obstructions in a desolated pacific area: signal loss. Have read all the posts and will try setting 2.4 ghz...
Strugling...

The major key with the antennas - DO NOT POINT THEM AT YOUR Phantom!

FX. With the Phantom directly overhead, the antennas should have been completely horizontal for the best signal.

There have been some tests where flying behind your self, and your iPad  or what ever used is shading for the antenna. It can loose connection  even on fairly short distance.

Try to look in the manual.

Keep flying

I've had similar issues as reported here, 2.4 seems more reliable than 5.8 but what I can't understand is why the Auto setting doesn't use the best frequency. I have done a few tests and the P4P, when on auto frequency keeps using 5.8 which is very poor, and when I lock it to 2.4 (mid-flight) it is very strong and rock solid. I have flown in many different locations, mostly in remote country where I would think (but not exactly sure) there would be less interference and 5.8 consistently performs poorly. I generally lock it to 2.4 now (but do keep an eye on the meter in Go4). Does the auto setting continually monitor the interference and change on the fly or does it analyse once and lock it for the entire flight?

Hendo Posted at 2017-1-10 12:23
I've had similar issues as reported here, 2.4 seems more reliable than 5.8 but what I can't understand is why the Auto setting doesn't use the best frequency. I have done a few tests and the P4P, when on auto frequency keeps using 5.8 which is very poor, and when I lock it to 2.4 (mid-flight) it is very strong and rock solid. I have flown in many different locations, mostly in remote country where I would think (but not exactly sure) there would be less interference and 5.8 consistently performs poorly. I generally lock it to 2.4 now (but do keep an eye on the meter in Go4). Does the auto setting continually monitor the interference and change on the fly or does it analyse once and lock it for the entire flight?

how comes that yours are switching between 2.4 and 5.8 in auto.  normally it should stay at what you set it an then only switch the channels.

2.4 will always provide far better distance any where any time period. enjoy and have fun,  donnie

fans82f30c9f Posted at 2017-1-10 13:10
2.4 will always provide far better distance any where any time period. enjoy and have fun,  donnie

There are never any total absolutes like that when it comes to something this complex. I get far better distance on 5.8 GHz in my area. If you have a lot of 2.4 GHz devices in the area you should get better results on 5.8 GHz.

Theoretically 2.4 should provide better results but using auto 5.8 i get unbelievable signal and range. Just like the guy a few posts ahead of me said plus DJI did say that for both 5.8 and 2.4 they are rated for 4.3 miles did anyone see the power output for both on fcc for p4pro there's your answer! 5.8 has been great. No lag. Picture is great and distance is awesome.

Agree cobra44magnu....crazy because i thought 2.4 would have been tge better. For me atleast.

jetforce Posted at 2017-1-10 13:00
how comes that yours are switching between 2.4 and 5.8 in auto.  normally it should stay at what you set it an then only switch the channels.

I don't think it does switch between the 2 frequencies, that was my question - in auto does it monitor both and switch between 2.4 and 5.8 or does it choose one and stick with it?

Hendo Posted at 2017-1-10 23:55
I don't think it does switch between the 2 frequencies, that was my question - in auto does it monitor both and switch between 2.4 and 5.8 or does it choose one and stick with it?

This might help.

auto has nothing to do with 2.4 or 5.8ghz, you select the one you want to use and it stays there.

Auto switches between the channels to use the best available, and in custom you can lock it to one specific channel.

CW Hobbies Posted at 2016-12-12 12:39
Then why did they add 5.8?

In case you were in a Congested 2.4 area! The Higher the Freq. the less penetration thru trees, buildings etc.

gvgeorge Posted at 2016-12-16 15:56
I'm glad you are making no suggestion since an amplified signal on only one end of of pairing doesn't offer much help for two-way communication.

I'm so Glad someone else who really knows how Radio Waves Work

Kneepuck Posted at 2016-12-17 22:53
I believe I said bi-amp, and it does help prevent loss of control signal, Not much help for the video but is very good on control.

You mean a REAPETER !!

Here is a pretty good video about this:

What we need to be aware of is that:
5.8GHz waves are much shorter than 2.4GHz ones and they do NOT penetrate objects, which means 5.8Ghz should work best if LOS is preserved.
2.4GHz frequency is much more cluttered, so in theory 5.8GHz should work better in urban environment, provided LOS is preserved.

Also, please take a look at the post #11 in this thread: http://forum.dji.com/forum.php?m ... mp;page=1#pid685237
It seems that it all depends on the environment, LOS and the altitude we fly at.

There is actually one more video in the thread I mentioned above, which is worth watching in my opinion:

fans82f30c9f Posted at 2017-1-10 13:10
2.4 will always provide far better distance any where any time period. enjoy and have fun,  donnie

This is not true.  As Jamie has already pointed out, 5.8 will provide better distance if the 2.4 band is clogged with noise.  And it makes sense.  Otherwise, DJI wouldn't have bothered giving us the option.  

P4PCommander Posted at 2017-3-4 17:45
In case you were in a Congested 2.4 area! The Higher the Freq. the less penetration thru trees, buildings etc.

Re buildings, I agree.  Re trees, I suggest the 5.8 might have an advantage through trees in certain situations depending on the thickness of the canopy because 2.4 is more inclined to be absorbed by the water in the leaves.  

Re amps - a two-way amp will amplify both incoming and outgoing signals.  

2.4 should get your more range but there is more congestion on that frequency...thus more interference.

2.4Ghz is great for flying in open areas away from the city, because there is less WiFi and Bluetooth interference. Of course if you are flying near homes or businesses using 2.4Ghz, you will get a lot of interference warnings but likely want have issues unless you are flying close to them. As for 5.8Ghz, it would work much better in the city areas as there would be less interference coming from all of the other 2.4Ghz users. This is why DJI added the 5.8Ghz frequency as an option.  5.8Ghz is not good for flying in rural areas or near microwave radio towers, because a lot of commercial microwave radios are on the 5.8Ghz frequency. Most commercial microwave radios are transmitting all over the 5Ghz range and 11Ghz range. To answer the other question of why 2.4Ghz frequency has a longer range than 5.8Ghz. The lower the frequency the less power needed for the radio waves to travel. If your transmitter puts out the same power for both frequencies than the radio waves will travel further at the lower frequency. I hope this helps!

Kneepuck Posted at 2016-12-20 18:49
Yes, I actually have one.  But, if it makes you happy to believe they don't exist,  that's ok too.  You can find one for yourself on ebay if you like.  I have used mine on my Standard, and am limited only by the Phantoms battery life, not by range.

How did you hook this up and can you link to the exact one you're talking about. Very interested! tHanks

nickedw Posted at 2016-12-20 08:12
I'm in the UK and have just learnt this on my second P4P+ flight using 5.8GHz, signal loss with aircraft about 10 metres away from me at a height of about 300 feet, completely unobstructed - really?

were your antennas vertical or horizontal? at that distance (10 meters) and 300 ft (100 meters) your aircraft was practically on your vertical, so if your antennas were vertical  their irradiation pattern wold have been mainly towards the sides, not upwards...

bluemarley67 Posted at 2016-12-20 09:56
guys is it the same in the usa?

In Canada we use similar rules as US. I get further on 5.8Ghz even where I fly in a sparse rural area than 2.4. I get about 2km's in a wooded area at 90m altitude, where my signal has to go through trees. I have both 2.4Ghz and 5.8Ghz Wi-Fi in the house nearby, but I only get interference outside on 2.4Ghz, which I think is the reason I get better range on 5.8Ghz, although they are reasonably close in range.

sunny051488 Posted at 2016-12-16 14:06
2.4 is the absolute way to go. I usually keep it on auto and its always on 2.4 and never switches to 5.8. Sounds like i might just pop it manually into 2.4 and leave it at that.

Old thread but still relevant.

Think I'll do the same. The other day I noticed a lot of signal interference alerts on the screen even though nothing was blocking between AC/RC. Weird.
Set to freq to auto but remains at 2.4.

M.C. Pilot Posted at 2017-12-6 10:04
Old thread but still relevant.

Think I'll do the same. The other day I noticed a lot of signal interference alerts on the screen even though nothing was blocking between AC/RC. Weird.

Are you using a Crystalsky by any chance ?

lannes Posted at 2017-12-6 15:37
Are you using a Crystalsky by any chance ?

No, I'm not.