Just bought my spark and I've happily been using it at a very limited use the past 2 weeks.Ive just looked at the UK laws and I can only fly it 120m at a range of 500m.But that's only if you're not near anyone's private property,in parks where there are people around(most parks around here have barred them anyway).The laws have made this device SO limited it's quite pointless having it.I can understand the majority of the legislation but I think a lot of it is a little OTT.

What about near by countries? Ireland, France, Belgium, Netherlands? If I were that close I'd be on a train every weekend. Do surrounding countries have as strict laws? What about private land owners? Could you contact them for permission?

The Law is the same for all drones, spark won't fly further than 500 metres you would have known this before you purchased, and height 120 metres is to separate drones from manned aircraft.

I have studied US regulations, and haven't looked much at the rules and regulations of other countries (but hey, US is where I live).  A drone is an opportunity to explore and get perspective (in video and photos) that are not normally achieved.  I believe that a drone can be flown in a responsible manner that doesn't risk private property or personal injury, and I do have issues with the laws that take these concerns to excess (but in politics, one person's norm is another person's excess, which is why we have people make laws).

I've wondered if it would be possible to make inroads on relaxing drone regulations if one were to really put a "human" and sympathetic touch on drone usage.  I'm an advocate for Accessibility (making sure software and hardware are usable by all people regardless of their abilities).  I've thought that if someone were to make a pitch for a drone user who happens to be bound to a wheel chair (and the drone is the mechanism by which such an individual can enjoy and explore a park or the great outdoors), if that perspective would help relax some drone laws.

I am in UK, I have done a test on 2.4ghz with OTG and got the Spark to 750m and it would have gone further but I had lost LOS so brought it back.  I cannot see the point of it going any further.  I know that OTG is not supported.
EDIT:  I am meaning 750 distance, not altitude.

Unless going out to nature, I usually fly Spark in empty parking, 100x50 m. space in sport mode at height of less than 5 m. and radius of 30 m. I am happy and have fun.

I am in the uk and have flown 1400m using 2.4ghz @120m. Just depends on the LOS.

Dont worry too much, as long as you are being sensible and not a nuisance you will be ok. If you download google earth and use the measure tool with a circle set at 150m diameter, I'm sure you will find plenty of open fields or places just on the edge of civilisation to fly that the circle will fit in.
The rules have changed a little by the CAA with flying drones with a camera as they are classified as an SUSA (Small Unmanned Surveillance Aircraft) and as such fall into the FPV category. If you are a stickler for rules this means you cant fly within 150m of a built up area (as before) but you also have to have a human spotter with you as well. The spark was never designed to do range or height really. Its too small and relies on wifi for a connection. Use it like its intended, selfies and videos. Mine rarely goes more than 50m away from me and not really higher than 50m. The kids just look like ants. Just fly safe, use common sense and you will be just fine.  

X22 CRR Posted at 2017-9-18 13:11
I am in the uk and have flown 1400m using 2.4ghz @120m. Just depends on the LOS.

How can you get 1400 metres when spark is limited under CE to 500 metres , let us in on the secret.

1400 metres or best part of a mile. Can you really see it.?

If you google where can I fly my drone, it is truly depressing reading. Bearing in  mind that even if you have insurance, it is probably invalid if you do not receive landowners' permission

I would love to fly indoors but, in the uk we get no satellite reception indoors, does anyone have any experience as to how it performs without a gps hold?

Yes, great, vision positioning is excellent. Always put propeller guard when flying indoor to prevent serious injury or damage.

hallmark007 Posted at 2017-9-18 13:18
How can you get 1400 metres when spark is limited under CE to 500 metres , let us in on the secret.

That I was wondering also.

hallmark007 Posted at 2017-9-18 12:56
The Law is the same for all drones, spark won't fly further than 500 metres you would have known this before you purchased, and height 120 metres is to separate drones from manned aircraft.

Yep, look8ng at the "manned aircrafts" around me, right now, here max drone altitude is 90m, there must be something wrong with the law for Cessnas and Helis here.  

Charles Adams Posted at 2017-9-18 12:58
I have studied US regulations, and haven't looked much at the rules and regulations of other countries (but hey, US is where I live).  A drone is an opportunity to explore and get perspective (in video and photos) that are not normally achieved.  I believe that a drone can be flown in a responsible manner that doesn't risk private property or personal injury, and I do have issues with the laws that take these concerns to excess (but in politics, one person's norm is another person's excess, which is why we have people make laws).

I've wondered if it would be possible to make inroads on relaxing drone regulations if one were to really put a "human" and sympathetic touch on drone usage.  I'm an advocate for Accessibility (making sure software and hardware are usable by all people regardless of their abilities).  I've thought that if someone were to make a pitch for a drone user who happens to be bound to a wheel chair (and the drone is the mechanism by which such an individual can enjoy and explore a park or the great outdoors), if that perspective would help relax some drone laws.

Ya, but  dont they have to limit skyscrapper and such to 120m too, then? The only difference is the angle, but hey, from a 300+m skysrapper you have a angle, which you can't normaly ......

Montfrooij Posted at 2017-9-18 22:44
That I was wondering also.

I had trouble getting past 300m before the fireware update on the 21/08 but since then i can reach upto 1400m. I have some screen shots which show Ive flown a distance of 1220m @101m, 1144m @101m & 972m @75m if you wish to see.  During these flights i didnt move from the home point. its not like i was following the drone. And yes correct you cant see the drone at all at 1220m but you can barely see it when its 120m up anyway. I have a lot of trust in the drone and it always flys back when i lose connection. I may try and get a distance video done for you this week if you like?

hallmark007 Posted at 2017-9-18 13:18
How can you get 1400 metres when spark is limited under CE to 500 metres , let us in on the secret.

I dont have a secret. I just turn it on. Set it to 2.4GHz with OTG cable. Send it up to between 100 - 120 meters and then fly it in a straight line. I always try and make sure the flight direction will not be blocked by trees etc.

fans9ea9c44f Posted at 2017-9-18 13:58
1400 metres or best part of a mile. Can you really see it.?

Not really - but you cant really see it when its up at 120m

X22 CRR Posted at 2017-9-19 02:08
I had trouble getting past 300m before the fireware update on the 21/08 but since then i can reach upto 1400m. I have some screen shots which show Ive flown a distance of 1220m @101m, 1144m @101m & 972m @75m if you wish to see.  During these flights i didnt move from the home point. its not like i was following the drone. And yes correct you cant see the drone at all at 1220m but you can barely see it when its 120m up anyway. I have a lot of trust in the drone and it always flys back when i lose connection. I may try and get a distance video done for you this week if you like?

That would be great indeed.
Not that I don't believe it, but there are so many people having range issues here.

X22 CRR Posted at 2017-9-19 02:15
Not really - but you cant really see it when its up at 120m

I just asked the question because CE has capped spark range at 500 metres furthest I've gone was last Saturday 592 metres. I'm impressed.

Ok, Ive uploaded the screen shots and some photos.
Screenshot_2017-08-31-07-02-19 by Carl Russell, on Flickr

Montfrooij Posted at 2017-9-19 02:24
That would be great indeed.
Not that I don't believe it, but there are so many people having range issues here.

Screenshot_2017-08-31-07-00-42 by Carl Russell, on Flickr

Screenshot_2017-08-22-13-16-18 by Carl Russell, on Flickr

IMG_20170916_110854_778 by Carl Russell, on Flickr

IMG_20170827_215134_366 by Carl Russell, on Flickr

hallmark007 Posted at 2017-9-19 02:47
I just asked the question because CE has capped spark range at 500 metres furthest I've gone was last Saturday 592 metres. I'm impressed.

I know -  I think generally you need to be at max height to get the range. i cant get the distance if i am at 30m for example

Well that sure looks impressive.

S-e-ven Posted at 2017-9-18 23:58
Ya, but  dont they have to limit skyscrapper and such to 120m too, then? The only difference is the angle, but hey, from a 300+m skysrapper you have a angle, which you can't normaly ......

I don't think I'm understanding the message you are trying to convey.  Buildings and structures are regulated, and there's a lot of different regulations to apply to properties based on how private property or public property is zoned.  My home, for example, cannot have a four story structure.  Downtown Denver, however, can have skyscrapers.  I might be misunderstanding your point, in which case my reply is meaningless.  

i fly my drones on common land all the time never had a problem with a member of public infact there all interested in the drones

I rarely fly further away than that but it would make me angry if it was because I couldn't.

Charles Adams Posted at 2017-9-19 05:23
I don't think I'm understanding the message you are trying to convey.  Buildings and structures are regulated, and there's a lot of different regulations to apply to properties based on how private property or public property is zoned.  My home, for example, cannot have a four story structure.  Downtown Denver, however, can have skyscrapers.  I might be misunderstanding your point, in which case my reply is meaningless.

Drone: limited timeframe , noisy, needs to be close to capture sensitive informations

Skyscraper: unlimited times, optical "zooms", silent, a lot less obvious

Most likely it is noticeable with a drone but not from  a skyscrapper

Just saying

I've not REALLY got a problem with the range to be honest it's the whole privacy limitations.If you are going to hover it in front of somebody's bedroom window then yes.I can see how that would be frowned upon but flying it over somebody's private land I can't see it being an issue.Google street view or google maps aren't an issue and the fact I can go and stand in front of somebody's home and stare at it to my hearts content is perfectly legit.

because the spark is using wifi standard (the 802.11 standard) it is more likely to be negatively impacted from reduced power output and other wifi signals in the area...

now there is no rule in 802.11 wifi standard that would block extra efficiencies like channel hopping and splitting bands, changing width being used, etc etc..  however dji is likely shying away from this for compatibility issues for when users dont use the RC and because dji at the moment is waffling back and forth on dedicated OTG solutions..since they havent advertised the spark in any other way apart from easy wifi connection way