Funny compass problem

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I was taking the P4P out for a spin and I was having a hell of a time getting the compass to work. I went to a new place to look around so I put the bird on the ground in the parking lot and I immediately get a compass calibration error. I had just updated the firmware the night before and I'm alittle freaked as I've never had a problem with the compass or IMU before.

I pick it up and start the dance, fail...fail...success put it down...fail

WTF?

I pick it up again and I try once more but pay very close attention to the picture. I get it calibrated again. I start to put it down and it fails just before I set it down. I'm pissed thinking I have to downgrade. While I'm holding it and looking at the iPad it pops back ready to fly. I'm curious now and I go looking for the sensor screen. I get the compass sensor display up and it's green on both. I put it on my Jeep with its metal rollcage and it's yellow which is ok. I go to put it on the ground and it goes to yellow a couple of feet from the ground and red 8 inches from the surface.

Is this a problem with all parking lots or just this one?
 
It sounds like there is metal in the ground. If so, you should not launch your Phantom and/or attempt to calibrate the compass from that location.
 
Yes, were you on concrete? Buried rebar can cause compass issues as soon as you set the aircraft down.
 

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