My signal was pretty good, should have pushed a tiny bit more. But, wanted a cushion for the battery.

http://healthydrones.com/main?share=VAsUbz

Impressive!  I did some long distance ocean flights in Hawaii, but was always nervous of losing it over the water.

Great range!

I just don't have the courage to go that far out of sight, especially over water.  As a matter of fact, if I get even a slight  video glitch, I turn around and come high tailing home    In 20 flights, 4125 feet is my personal best so far

Thanks guys. Funny, never really nervous. All my previous flights have installed a lot of confidence in me for this bird. Plus, anything happens, DJI has more.

Decent headwind going out, so will try for a little more distance on a calmer day. Really enjoy pushing it.

jwt873@gmail.co Posted at 2016-4-29 00:43
Great range!

I just don't have the courage to go that far out of sight, especially over water.  As  ...

same for me too...i get so nervous....not for losing the drone or crashing, but hurting someone if it does crash

jwt873@gmail.co Posted at 2016-4-28 09:43
Great range!

I just don't have the courage to go that far out of sight, especially over water.  As  ...

HAHAHAHA!! I do the same thing.  Slight signal loss and I'm heading home!

good work...

scarper Posted at 2016-4-28 10:53
same for me too...i get so nervous....not for losing the drone or crashing, but hurting someone if ...

Thx for being aware of safety! Too many of us CA  get excited and forget such things!  Still nice to fly far and be able to return safely ... And yes,  I would worry about loose g the bird just as much as hurting someone... But then again dji seems real solidnie return home and all the other cool things like that...

That's why I love flying over the water. If anything does possibly happen, the odds of hitting anyone are slim to none.

dkruseski Posted at 2016-4-28 12:12
That's why I love flying over the water. If anything does possibly happen, the odds of hitting anyon ...

My next  goal is 16,000 feet.  I have the 15,000 foot under my belt.  Just watch that wind, always fly into the wind so you have a bit of a tailwind on the way home.  

You have a windsurfer for the Antenna correct, If not get one, they work well.

Dont forget, that battery will run out and try to land the aircraft at about 12 %.  I made that mistake one time thinking I could get it down to about 5 %......WRONG, Lucky I made it back on that one.   Be on the Deck no later than 20%

Have fun-  donnie

Donnie Posted at 2016-4-28 13:20
My next  goal is 16,000 feet.  I have the 15,000 foot under my belt.  Just watch that wind, always ...

Hi Donnie!

All stock right now, looking into the booster. Nice part about flying out to sea, always a tailwind coming back. My goal would be to land at 20% battery, no reason to push it THAT much.

Good luck going for 16k! See who gets there first.

Dave

dkruseski Posted at 2016-4-28 12:27
Hi Donnie!

All stock right now, looking into the booster. Nice part about flying out to sea, alwa ...

For the 25 bucks, I would get it, I was able to improve about 1500 feet from a controlled test point.

If the weather is good tomorrow, I will go for it . There are several on the Market, they all work about the same.  

Donnie

Donnie Posted at 2016-4-28 13:38
For the 25 bucks, I would get it, I was able to improve about 1500 feet from a controlled test poin ...

Good to know. From what I hear, the boosters do narrow the field, correct? Have to make sure you're oriented at the bird.

dkruseski Posted at 2016-4-28 12:43
Good to know. From what I hear, the boosters do narrow the field, correct? Have to make sure you'r ...

     You got it , when I  get close to home I simply slide it off.  It goes on and off in a Jiffy, or you just bend the antenna down so it is back to being more uni- directional .  Just avoid flying directly overhead with the Windsurfer attached, or kind of aim the transmitter, I am accustomed to  it now and just keep the RC orientated to the aircraft, if the signal gets week and I am close by, I know to adjust the antennas.  

donnie

Donnie Posted at 2016-4-28 13:48
You got it , when I  get close to home I simply slide it off.  It goes on and off in a Jiffy,  ...

Is there any difference between them? Several different offerings on Amazon, any better that the other?

These look good for $17 delivered

http://www.amazon.com/Aluminum-P ... s=phantom+3+booster

OVER WATER SOUNDS LIKE SO MUCH FUN!!! The South Texas coast (Galveston) isn't exactly winning any beauty pageants so I can't wait for our Florida vacation this summer!

Donnie Posted at 2016-4-28 13:48
You got it , when I  get close to home I simply slide it off.  It goes on and off in a Jiffy,  ...

Just ordered a set off ebay for $10 delivered. Worth a shot.

Great range.Could you share some photos of this area?

DJI-Paladin Posted at 2016-4-28 23:37
Great range.Could you share some photos of this area?

Here's a video from a couple weeks ago, same place, just a more southern route.

dkruseski Posted at 2016-4-29 11:49
Here's a video from a couple weeks ago, same place, just a more southern route.

Thanks for your sharing. What an ideal environment for flight.

dkruseski Posted at 2016-4-28 15:48
Just ordered a set off ebay for $10 delivered. Worth a shot.

Agreed ! let me know what you think, make sure you orient them with the reflector away from you.....

I wonder what dingbat had them on backwards ...... ( Only for a moment or two)

donnie  

Its all about the terrain and atmosphere.

If you were to remove the plastic shell from the stock antenna, what you would see would be a piece of coax cable that had the insulator and shield removed very close to the end,  leaving a tiny bit of the center conductor exposed.  That is what radiates the signal from the r/c.  Parabolic type range boosters work by taking this omnidirectional signal and reflecting it in more or less one direction.  The copper used in the reflectors shown here is mostly a gimmick.  In this application,  aluminum foil,  aluminumized mylar or similar would do just as well so long as it was wrinkle free.  The reflective qualities of aluminum and copper are quite similar in this respect.   Also,  there is no need to put the reflective surface on the face of the range booster.  It will work just as well if you attach it to the back,  or even embed it into the plastic.  The rf produced by the Phantoms r/c goes right through the plastic.  Otherwise,  the stock antennas plastic housing would prevent any signal from getting out.  For anyone interested in getting the maximum performance from any antenna system,  I recommend the ARRL antenna handbook.  It is THE definitive source of antenna theory,  design and information

Also,  be aware,flying over water will certainly give you max range, because the water will act as a ground plane,  which will improve your signal a lot.  For real distance junkies, if you run a wire from the ground side of the antenna circuit and attach it to something conductive and toss that into the water, then you will improve the distance even more. The obvious problem with that is battery life.  And,  if you habitually fly over water, and then try a similar flight over land, you will be disappointed in the range over land.  I fly in the mountains, and using my stock P3 Advanced with no mods,  I have gone as far as 13,800 feet.  But there is no interference anywhere near me,  and I am at sufficient altitude that  there are no obstructions anywhere between me and the drone. I encounter headwinds often,  and one time I landed at only 14 % battery left. I know the P4 provides , ( theoretically ) 4 minutes more flight time,  but that's under optimum conditions.  So,  it may be a good practice to have a going away party for the drone before the flights.

10K here. notice this was a one way trip over water?
http://healthydrones.com/main?share=yfnUOg

Major guts to go out to sea that far.
Nice!

markaguille Posted at 2016-4-29 17:04
10K here. notice this was a one way trip over water?
http://healthydrones.com/main?share=yfnUOg

{:2_29:}

Was that yours? Turned sub on you?

microcyb Posted at 2016-4-29 17:08
Major guts to go out to sea that far.
Nice!

Thanks. Might be going tonight to beat it. Boosters are ready.

dkruseski Posted at 2016-4-30 18:45
Was that yours? Turned sub on you?

AHA! No, don't go sub, I was in a mates boat and landed in the boat when battery went flat. Was hoping to make it to Herm (the next island) but spent too much battery before we left. Maybe next time.

markaguille Posted at 2016-4-30 14:28
AHA! No, don't go sub, I was in a mates boat and landed in the boat when battery went flat. Was ho ...

Whew! Looks like lost at sea.   
Here's the vid of the return trip. Can get an idea about how far out it was. Music is loading, so may be a silent trip

Nice flight mate. Weather looks good for it. I love flying over the sea, living in a small island, most of my flights are over the sea. Love it!

markaguille Posted at 2016-4-30 16:47
Nice flight mate. Weather looks good for it. I love flying over the sea, living in a small island, m ...

I love it as well my friend. However, sometimes, like this evening, the wind is howling in from the water, and plans for a long flight are shelved.

Is that 10 miles,?

dkruseski Posted at 2016-4-30 12:47
Thanks. Might be going tonight to beat it. Boosters are ready.

Can't wait to see the video.  Very awesome!!!

Awesome!!!! Almost 15,000 feet? That's fantastic!

P3S 15000 + ft.

flight....................................................