Since I'm in the UK over Xmas, I have the crap range associated with the WiFi settings here (about 100 feet seems to be the practical limit before serious dropouts start). Dji suggest choosing a quieter WiFi channel to improve matters, so I've been trying that. However, I've not had any success. I choose a custom WiFi channel in the app and it says the setting will be applied after a WiFi reset, but the remote's WiFi SSID doesn't reappear.

If I turn everything off, then turn on the remote by itself I see the SSID and can connect to it. If I then turn the spark on, I lose the WiFi connection to the remote and the SSID disappears from the list of available networks. The only way out of this state is to reset the spark and the remote (9 second power button hold on both) then rebind them. That gets me back to square one with an auto selected WiFi channel and 100 foot range.

Any suggestions on if things can be improved? I'm aware of the otg controversy.

I'd use the OTG if I were you.

Welcome to the EU nightmare. Unlike the US here in the EU we have much more strict regulations of the strenght of a WiFi signal (somebody wrote 25mW vs 600mW in the US for 5,8GHz). Also, in here, the phones are unable to use the 5,8GHz band which totally ruins the Spark experience for everybody.

If you have an android phone you can downgrade the DJI Go 4 app to 4.1.15 which still supports the OTG cable (unoficially) and that should improve the range of the spark considerably (I have 50m via WiFi vs 400m via OTG cable).

OTG had worked with my old (micro USB) phone, but never worked with my new (USB c) phone. Haven't tried the hacky versions yet. Was hoping I was doing something wrong with the channel selector because I will probably need it to work at home too...

Rhamphorhynchan Posted at 2017-12-31 05:45
OTG had worked with my old (micro USB) phone, but never worked with my new (USB c) phone. Haven't tried the hacky versions yet. Was hoping I was doing something wrong with the channel selector because I will probably need it to work at home too...

Well, I have Asus Zenfone 3 Zoom that has USB C as well and OTG works just fine. The combination I use is micro USB cable to USB (OTG) that I plug into the remote and then a regular USB to USB C cable. Also I always have to wait till the remote fully starts up before plugging in the OTG cable (I usually wait till it connects with the Spark). I have also tried an USB C OTG cable but that did not work.

Probably some cables or dongle are sold as OTG cables but actually only charging capable so this could hamper the communication between RC and device.

Vyborny83 Posted at 2017-12-31 07:27
Well, I have Asus Zenfone 3 Zoom that has USB C as well and OTG works just fine. The combination I use is micro USB cable to USB (OTG) that I plug into the remote and then a regular USB to USB C cable. Also I always have to wait till the remote fully starts up before plugging in the OTG cable (I usually wait till it connects with the Spark). I have also tried an USB C OTG cable but that did not work.

you are very lucky if OTG comm works ...

S.J Posted at 2017-12-31 09:51
you are very lucky if OTG comm works ...

Lucky and also using DJI Go 4 4.1.14 and FW 01.00.0600 ;). Anything newer than 4.1.15 and OTG will become useless .

Vyborny83 Posted at 2017-12-31 09:57
Lucky and also using DJI Go 4 4.1.14 and FW 01.00.0600 ;). Anything newer than 4.1.15 and OTG will become useless .

Just ensure that you save a copy of the old software in your folders.  DJI is tuning up with the old app files to include more restrictions.

Rhamphorhynchan Posted at 2017-12-31 05:45
OTG had worked with my old (micro USB) phone, but never worked with my new (USB c) phone. Haven't tried the hacky versions yet. Was hoping I was doing something wrong with the channel selector because I will probably need it to work at home too...

Sir, please tell me the model of your device. Some Android phones do not support 5.8 G channel. Please keep us updated.

You have a PM for a solution

DJI Elektra Posted at 2018-1-18 02:11
Sir, please tell me the model of your device. Some Android phones do not support 5.8 G channel. Please keep us updated.

My Galaxy A5 and S7 Edge support 5GHz and work perfectly with the home WiFi network 5Ghz (channel 100) but do not work with RC SPARK, because RC broadcasts on channels higher than 140 which in the EU are not allowed! That's how it looks in my opinion. (sorry for my poor English)

I'm in the same boat. Once u choose wifi chanell, the whole rc and drone thing becomes useless....