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I nearly doubled my Mavic Mini range by making 2 simple changes
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66993 73 2019-12-11
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trader766
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United States
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1]  Put your phone on airplane mode when you fly. Don't worry, doing this does not affect performance, and most importantly Return To Home still works in airplane mode.  The signal your phone gives off significantly decreases range.
2]  Use a signal booster on your controller.  This device concentrates the signal toward the direction you're facing.  It costs less than $10 shipped on Amazon. Search: mavic range extender.

Note: I recommend you do both to get the best results.


2019-12-11
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DowntownRDB
Captain
Flight distance : 1722 ft
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Good info.  Thanks for sharing.  I'm going to try airplane mode on my Pixel 4 XL for next flight.
2019-12-11
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deathsquad
First Officer
Flight distance : 6763835 ft
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What range extenders are you using exactly? Those mirror foldout ones or the extended signal arms?
2019-12-11
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trader766
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deathsquad Posted at 12-11 12:47
What range extenders are you using exactly? Those mirror foldout ones or the extended signal arms?

Yes, the mirror foldout ones.  If you're really serious about extending your range, you could get a larger antenna, but I wouldn't recommend it, because you have to take apart your controller to install them and they're more expensive.
2019-12-11
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deathsquad
First Officer
Flight distance : 6763835 ft
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Yeah I don't want anything that can damage the controller. Those mirror ones are pretty cheap and easy though.
2019-12-11
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Neoner
lvl.1
Flight distance : 21896 ft
United Kingdom
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deathsquad Posted at 12-11 13:00
Yeah I don't want anything that can damage the controller. Those mirror ones are pretty cheap and easy though.

Sure sure this is so super easy! Watch this expert guy do it...A bet you can't stop laughing.

https://youtu.be/qLM2zn-Eyko

https://www.hobbymounts.co.uk/shop/4Hawks-Raptor-SR-Range-Extender-DJI-Spark-Mavic
2019-12-11
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deathsquad
First Officer
Flight distance : 6763835 ft
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Neoner Posted at 12-11 13:08
Sure sure this is so super easy! Watch this expert guy do it...A bet you can't stop laughing.

https://youtu.be/qLM2zn-Eyko

He is using these...

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51t8YrWCXYL.01_SL500_.jpg
2019-12-11
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AE1M
Second Officer
Flight distance : 148428 ft
United States
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You must have the best eyes on the planet to maintain VLOS.  Otherwise you are in violation of the law.
2019-12-11
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DJI Paladin
Administrator
Flight distance : 318 ft

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Hi. Thank you for sharing this information. With regards to the third party extender. Just a friendly reminder that DJI does not recommend to attach or use any third party extender, this may cause performance and stability issue that may lead to an incident. In addition, I will be posting a link ( https://www.dji.com/service/policy?site=brandsite&from=footer ) for more details regarding the warranty guidelines. Thank you and please fly safely.

2019-12-11
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trader766
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DJI Paladin Posted at 12-11 14:16
Hi. Thank you for sharing this information. With regards to the third party extender. Just a friendly reminder that DJI does not recommend to attach or use any third party extender, this may cause performance and stability issue that may lead to an incident. In addition, I will be posting a link ( https://www.dji.com/service/policy?site=brandsite&from=footer ) for more details regarding the warranty guidelines. Thank you and please fly safely.

[view_image]

I agree. Use of a range extender is at your own risk.
2019-12-11
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Part107
Captain
Flight distance : 138310 ft
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DowntownRDB Posted at 12-11 12:43
Good info.  Thanks for sharing.  I'm going to try airplane mode on my Pixel 4 XL for next flight.

Nice phone! I have one since day one. I use my OG Pixel XL with Android 10 for flying though.

Oh ya thanks for the info
2019-12-11
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Part107
Captain
Flight distance : 138310 ft
United States
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I believe that could quite possibly be BVLOS yup i do believe so. Almost 2 miles is very good for such a small drone. The Mighty Mavic Mini lol
2019-12-11
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The Saint
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Flight distance : 5575873 ft
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using a range extender to get a "only" 100 yards seems like a waste.
2019-12-11
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Part107
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Flight distance : 138310 ft
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The Saint Posted at 12-11 15:49
using a range extender to get a number 100 yards seems like a waste.

If you read the OP's original post #1 that is only part of getting 10,000 feet.
2019-12-11
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fansbd71c3f8
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Flight distance : 207579 ft
India
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Going to to try this. Using the fcc in India and I get only 800 meters.
2019-12-11
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trader766
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AE1M Posted at 12-11 13:57
You must have the best eyes on the planet to maintain VLOS.  Otherwise you are in violation of the law.

My vision is pretty good, but I used a pair of binoculars to keep the drone in my line of sight during the flight.
2019-12-11
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KlooGee
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trader766 Posted at 12-11 17:07
My vision is pretty good, but I used a pair of binoculars to keep the drone in my line of sight during the flight.

If you are interested in following the FAA's regulations, binoculars don't count for keeping it line of sight. Their definition of visual line of sight is "vision that is unaided by any device other than corrective lenses."

I'm not here to tell you what to do or not to do, but I think its important to understand the rules and then you can make decisions for yourself on how you like to do things.

Cheers!

2019-12-11
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HedgeTrimmer
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KlooGee Posted at 12-11 17:35
If you are interested in following the FAA's regulations, binoculars don't count for keeping it line of sight. Their definition of visual line of sight is "vision that is unaided by any device other than corrective lenses."

I'm not here to tell you what to do or not to do, but I think its important to understand the rules and then you can make decisions for yourself on how you like to do things.

That's some mighty big corrective lens you got there.  
2019-12-11
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trader766
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KlooGee Posted at 12-11 17:35
If you are interested in following the FAA's regulations, binoculars don't count for keeping it line of sight. Their definition of visual line of sight is "vision that is unaided by any device other than corrective lenses."

I'm not here to tell you what to do or not to do, but I think its important to understand the rules and then you can make decisions for yourself on how you like to do things.

I placed a flashing beacon on the drone during the flight, so I was still able to see the drone during the flight without binoculars, but the binoculars made it easier to see.
2019-12-11
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trader766
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AE1M Posted at 12-11 13:57
You must have the best eyes on the planet to maintain VLOS.  Otherwise you are in violation of the law.

You're ignorant to the fact that an aftermarket flashing beacon added to the drone can increase the VLOS.  Next time ask, instead of making assumptions.
2019-12-11
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Crummett
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Flight distance : 36929 ft
United Kingdom
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trader766 Posted at 12-11 18:11
You're ignorant to the fact that an aftermarket flashing beacon added to the drone can increase the VLOS.  Next time ask, instead of making assumptions.

This seems an overly harsh reply. I’m also dubious as to a light being added counting as VLOS. CAA rules states the very reason for VLOS is to ensure you have eyes on the drone for a safe flight and can avoid collisions. Seeing a light in the distance does not provide that ability
2019-12-11
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davidms
Second Officer
Flight distance : 428186 ft
Canada
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i call bs. no way you could see it 10000ft out VLOS, beacon or not.
2019-12-11
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trader766
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Crummett Posted at 12-11 18:17
This seems an overly harsh reply. I’m also dubious as to a light being added counting as VLOS. CAA rules states the very reason for VLOS is to ensure you have eyes on the drone for a safe flight and can avoid collisions. Seeing a light in the distance does not provide that ability

When the flashing beacon is attached to the drone, it becomes part of the drone.  Just like, if you attach prop guards, those guards become part of the drone and bring the drones weight over 250g.
2019-12-11
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Suren
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Guys the OP is just trying to help those get further range from their mini don't go killing him.
2019-12-11
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The Saint
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Part107 Posted at 12-11 16:06
If you read the OP's original post #1 that is only part of getting 10,000 feet.

i understand and I will try airplane mode and see what i get; see if it works for me.  adding a crappy extender is a waste of time and money for sure.
2019-12-11
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The Saint
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davidms Posted at 12-11 18:22
i call bs. no way you could see it 10000ft out VLOS, beacon or not.

i can attest that i have seen my m2z drone at 10,500 feet with red, white, and green strobe lights with the unaided eye at twilight.  impossible to see without strobes for sure.  two miles.
2019-12-11
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The Saint
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trader766 Posted at 12-11 18:58
When the flashing beacon is attached to the drone, it becomes part of the drone.  Just like, if you attach prop guards, those guards become part of the drone and bring the drones weight over 250g.

the rules are vague, intent and all, so flyers will argue this point forever.  i agree with you on the strobe but i disagree with you on the attachment.  none of us will know for sure until there is a legal decision.

i get it, when there is safety involved (and airspace is the only place on the planet that safety means anything), intent has no place; got it.
2019-12-11
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Rambo6
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Flight distance : 68458 ft
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trader766 Posted at 12-11 17:07
My vision is pretty good, but I used a pair of binoculars to keep the drone in my line of sight during the flight.

I fly my Mavic pro behind my Mini to keep it within my sight (albeit through a screen)  
2019-12-11
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UweE
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trader766 Posted at 12-11 18:04
I placed a flashing beacon on the drone during the flight, so I was still able to see the drone during the flight without binoculars, but the binoculars made it easier to see.

do you have a link for this flashing beacon and maybe of picture of your installation please?
2019-12-12
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Ice_2k
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Flight distance : 1132575 ft
Romania
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does every single thread on this forum need to turn into the drone police convention? Leave the guy alone, you're not going to change his mind. Especially over a video of flying over water at 300ft....
2019-12-12
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DAFlys
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Flight distance : 93626696 ft
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14000 ft flights without modification is already possible, plenty of youtubers proving that.
2019-12-12
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the1shark
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Flight distance : 43156 ft
Israel
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I think it's circumstantial.
I have had a few instances where I have reached very different distances under the same conditions.
2019-12-12
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Ice_2k
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the1shark Posted at 12-12 02:00
I think it's circumstantial.
I have had a few instances where I have reached very different distances under the same conditions.

I agree. And I'm 100% sure that airplane mode on the phone can't be responsible for *that* much of a difference. Unless there were some very special circumstances like the phone acting as a hotspot for some other phone that was streaming online video or smth, which I'm guessing is not the case.
2019-12-12
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AntDX316
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Flight distance : 3394731 ft
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1700m is pretty far.  I would feel depressed at how long it takes to fly that far.  You should get an M2 and put a booster on the controller.
2019-12-22
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pinkmenprints
Second Officer
Singapore
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thanks for the airplane mode tip
2019-12-22
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speed_freakz
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Flight distance : 569852 ft
Thailand
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Khm Khm
2019-12-22
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Bigplumbs
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Flight distance : 620164 ft
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AE1M Posted at 12-11 13:57
You must have the best eyes on the planet to maintain VLOS.  Otherwise you are in violation of the law.

SHOCK HORROR SOMEONE VIOLATING A LAW...…….. WHAT SHOULD WE DO...…. HAVE YOU EVER VIOLATED A LAW
2019-12-23
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Bigplumbs
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Ice_2k Posted at 12-12 01:12
does every single thread on this forum need to turn into the drone police convention? Leave the guy alone, you're not going to change his mind. Especially over a video of flying over water at 300ft....

Very well said we can do without all the self appointed drone police...….. Who incidentally are generally hypocrites  
2019-12-23
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InspektorGadjet
Captain
Flight distance : 439915 ft
Spain
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I found that the range extenders while not extending a lot they do increase stability of the signal.
2019-12-23
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Glenn Goodlett
First Officer
Flight distance : 27978153 ft
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Bigplumbs Posted at 12-23 00:10
SHOCK HORROR SOMEONE VIOLATING A LAW...…….. WHAT SHOULD WE DO...…. HAVE YOU EVER VIOLATED A LAW

Citizens arrest
2019-12-23
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