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.

Good info.  Thanks for sharing.  I'm going to try airplane mode on my Pixel 4 XL for next flight.

What range extenders are you using exactly? Those mirror foldout ones or the extended signal arms?

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.

Yeah I don't want anything that can damage the controller. Those mirror ones are pretty cheap and easy though.

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

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

You must have the best eyes on the planet to maintain VLOS.  Otherwise you are in violation of the law.

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.

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.

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

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

using a range extender to get a "only" 100 yards seems like a waste.

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.

Going to to try this. Using the fcc in India and I get only 800 meters.

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.

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!

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.  

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.

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.

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

i call bs. no way you could see it 10000ft out VLOS, beacon or not.

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.

Guys the OP is just trying to help those get further range from their mini don't go killing him.

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.

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.

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.

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)  

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?

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....

14000 ft flights without modification is already possible, plenty of youtubers proving that.

I think it's circumstantial.
I have had a few instances where I have reached very different distances under the same conditions.

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.

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.

thanks for the airplane mode tip

Khm Khm

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

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  

I found that the range extenders while not extending a lot they do increase stability of the signal.

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