Phantom 2 flyways
- Thread starter dvm71
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- Dec 17, 2013
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7th flight, first flyaway AFTER firmware updates of Phantom and Transmitter.
History:
Phantom 2 Vision, purchased mid-December from BHPhotoVideo.
V1.4, may be older stock since transmitter does not have external USB port and was running V1.0 firmware before update.
Flown successfully about 6 times, three flights on campus where I work where I was able to get GPS lock, three flights at my home where I was not able to get GPS lock.
Updated all firmware last week:
DJI FC200 Camera V1.1.8
5.8GHz Remote Controller V1.0.2.22
5.8GHz Receiver V1.0.1.3
iOS App V1.0.30
Phantom 2 Vision Autopilot System V1.08
Phantom 2 Vision Central Board V1.0.1.19
PC Assistant Software V1.08
Phantom RC Assistant Software v1.0
After updating Phantom using PC Assistant software, I opened up the controller to access internal USB and updated it with RC Assistant. Test indoors with props off went well with Phantom responding to input from controller.
The weather was finally warm enough today (48degrees, clear, sunny, calm), so I decided to shoot some more photos at my home.
Flight and WIFI repeater battery fully charged.
6 new Duracell batteries installed (6v power level confirmed while performing update via RC Assistant software)
iPhone 5s in airplane mode, WIFI enabled.
Turned on transmitter
Turned on WIFI repeater
Phantom powered up
Select Phantom WIFI repeater from available WIFI networks on iPhone, confirm video feed from Vision camera
Carry Phantom to the center of my back yard (3+ acres in rural setting)
Set down Phantom.
Toggle S1 switch 10 times
Lift Phantom, rotate slowly until yellow lights turn green, tip nose down, rotate until green lights go out
Slow blinking yellow lights, I have never been able to get GPS lock at my home on previous flights, so I'm not concerned
Bring the Phantom straight up to 80-ft, adjust camera angle all the way downward.
Increase throttle on Phantom to about 100-ft and the Phantom takes off heading straight forward and falling fast, it travels over my house and crashes in my front yard. I find it lying upside down in the shrubs with three broken propellers. There is no other visible damage and I'm still getting a video feed from the camera.
Now what? I am the official photographer on campus and I purchased the Phantom through my department with the intent of providing aerial photography for my university. The Phantom had a property tag applied to it when it arrived on campus, so sending it back for exchange or refund is going to be a paperwork nightmare. I'd like to use it to make photos, but I can't fly it on campus if it's going to take off and crash without warning.
All I can think of at the moment is to re-update all the firmware.
Help!
History:
Phantom 2 Vision, purchased mid-December from BHPhotoVideo.
V1.4, may be older stock since transmitter does not have external USB port and was running V1.0 firmware before update.
Flown successfully about 6 times, three flights on campus where I work where I was able to get GPS lock, three flights at my home where I was not able to get GPS lock.
Updated all firmware last week:
DJI FC200 Camera V1.1.8
5.8GHz Remote Controller V1.0.2.22
5.8GHz Receiver V1.0.1.3
iOS App V1.0.30
Phantom 2 Vision Autopilot System V1.08
Phantom 2 Vision Central Board V1.0.1.19
PC Assistant Software V1.08
Phantom RC Assistant Software v1.0
After updating Phantom using PC Assistant software, I opened up the controller to access internal USB and updated it with RC Assistant. Test indoors with props off went well with Phantom responding to input from controller.
The weather was finally warm enough today (48degrees, clear, sunny, calm), so I decided to shoot some more photos at my home.
Flight and WIFI repeater battery fully charged.
6 new Duracell batteries installed (6v power level confirmed while performing update via RC Assistant software)
iPhone 5s in airplane mode, WIFI enabled.
Turned on transmitter
Turned on WIFI repeater
Phantom powered up
Select Phantom WIFI repeater from available WIFI networks on iPhone, confirm video feed from Vision camera
Carry Phantom to the center of my back yard (3+ acres in rural setting)
Set down Phantom.
Toggle S1 switch 10 times
Lift Phantom, rotate slowly until yellow lights turn green, tip nose down, rotate until green lights go out
Slow blinking yellow lights, I have never been able to get GPS lock at my home on previous flights, so I'm not concerned
Bring the Phantom straight up to 80-ft, adjust camera angle all the way downward.
Increase throttle on Phantom to about 100-ft and the Phantom takes off heading straight forward and falling fast, it travels over my house and crashes in my front yard. I find it lying upside down in the shrubs with three broken propellers. There is no other visible damage and I'm still getting a video feed from the camera.
Now what? I am the official photographer on campus and I purchased the Phantom through my department with the intent of providing aerial photography for my university. The Phantom had a property tag applied to it when it arrived on campus, so sending it back for exchange or refund is going to be a paperwork nightmare. I'd like to use it to make photos, but I can't fly it on campus if it's going to take off and crash without warning.
All I can think of at the moment is to re-update all the firmware.
Help!
coolbob said:
Its this statement that jumps out at me. Your home is on a 3 acre site and you cannot get any gps lock ? Are you under some gigantic overhanging cliff or something ?
Sorry to hear about the crash and I hope you get it fixed ok.
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I'm not surprised to have difficulty with GPS, the land is very hilly (yard is a good 60-ft higher than the street) and densely forested. Cellular service is nonexistent. On previous flights I have not been able to get GPS lock in front yard, back yard or driveway.
GPS or no GPS, the Phantom should not lose radio signal at 100ft.
GPS or no GPS, the Phantom should not lose radio signal at 100ft.
coolbob said:
Agreed but I think erratic gps lock has been a suspect in some flyways. Should not have happened though as your flying everything on latest firmware. You have my sympathies filling in the paperwork for your campus report.
coolbob said:
How much time did you give the phantom to acquire gps lock?
How far away is your home from your school?
Update or not update
Heres my conundrum,
I have a Phantom 2 / zenmuse/gopro3
I use it every day and its awesome. Never had a problem with it.
However… I have never plugged it into a computer. Never updated it.
Given the fact its worked so well without any dramas…should I update firmware etc?
Heres my conundrum,
I have a Phantom 2 / zenmuse/gopro3
I use it every day and its awesome. Never had a problem with it.
However… I have never plugged it into a computer. Never updated it.
Given the fact its worked so well without any dramas…should I update firmware etc?
Ksc wroteo you buy TVs from the internet and have them mailed to your home?
You could have purchased it in a hobby shop. Have you heard of those places.
Having a bad day?
Shrimpfarmer said:coolbob said:
Agreed but I think erratic gps lock has been a suspect in some flyways. Should not have happened though as your flying everything on latest firmware. You have my sympathies filling in the paperwork for your campus report.
Perhaps if you know that you cannot get a reliable GPS lock, you should fly in attitude mode to avoid the potential for this issue?
ianwood
Taco Wrangler
First post. Jumping right in...
I really want to buy a P2 but these flyaways are stopping me cold in my tracks. I want to be able to use it anywhere without fearing it will zoom off when somebody starts downloading porn over their WiFi connection. I've been looking at a number of these videos and they all seem to be preventable. Software logic should prevent these even if the user screws up:
1. Signed TX that prevents other signals from taking control. It should really support anti-spoofing too.
2. Frequency hopping. Garage doors can do it. Why not this?
3. In case of signal loss, unit should simply hold its GPS position and altitude. Always. Always. Always.
4. If GPS accuracy is not below x feet at departure, the RTH feature should be disabled. Instead, RTH would simply hold position and then descend only when the battery level goes below x%. Either that or the unit doesn't fly until it gets a fix below x feet accuracy.
5. Compass calibration should be required at every startup.
6. If the unit is returning to home due to loss of signal, the unit should use the GPS to confirm it is closing in on the RTH coordinates. If it isn't, it should determine the deviation and figure out if the GPS magnetic heading is more accurate than the compass heading. In calm/clear conditions, the GPS magnetic heading should closely match the compass heading. If they don't, the compass is probably wrong.
What am I missing? If these capabilities were all there and they all worked as intended, there would be no fly away, right? You may still lose signal to interference or attenuation but the unit would just stop and hover. If the compass was completely out of whack, the unit would detect it and use a GPS based heading to figure out the way home.
I really want to buy a P2 but these flyaways are stopping me cold in my tracks. I want to be able to use it anywhere without fearing it will zoom off when somebody starts downloading porn over their WiFi connection. I've been looking at a number of these videos and they all seem to be preventable. Software logic should prevent these even if the user screws up:
1. Signed TX that prevents other signals from taking control. It should really support anti-spoofing too.
2. Frequency hopping. Garage doors can do it. Why not this?
3. In case of signal loss, unit should simply hold its GPS position and altitude. Always. Always. Always.
4. If GPS accuracy is not below x feet at departure, the RTH feature should be disabled. Instead, RTH would simply hold position and then descend only when the battery level goes below x%. Either that or the unit doesn't fly until it gets a fix below x feet accuracy.
5. Compass calibration should be required at every startup.
6. If the unit is returning to home due to loss of signal, the unit should use the GPS to confirm it is closing in on the RTH coordinates. If it isn't, it should determine the deviation and figure out if the GPS magnetic heading is more accurate than the compass heading. In calm/clear conditions, the GPS magnetic heading should closely match the compass heading. If they don't, the compass is probably wrong.
What am I missing? If these capabilities were all there and they all worked as intended, there would be no fly away, right? You may still lose signal to interference or attenuation but the unit would just stop and hover. If the compass was completely out of whack, the unit would detect it and use a GPS based heading to figure out the way home.
Here's a little sample of a Phantom doing what it's suppose to do (and there's many more like it) -> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LtjZFLNP1o
That's crazy! and so is that guy for flying so far away, over an urban environment, at *night*! :shock:EMCSQUAR said:
Cool that the RTH worked for him though.
It's funny, reading all the fly away Stories I can't help myself looking at how many post that person has on the forums. It's like they come here after it's too late.
Last video was flow over a bay. Not sure what you think urban means.
Last video was flow over a bay. Not sure what you think urban means.
Jaybee said:
Check this out, he flew right past a 200ft cell tower and a couple of Single Antennas:
That big cell tower probably kicks out hefty signals, if his RX range was weak - maybe it caused the problems?
Actually, the more I learn about cell towers and their frequencies, the less I think it has to do with all this. The Microcell / Macrocell transmitters commonly found in towns / cities here in the UK seem to range from 900-2100Mhz.
Not sure about the frequency range of larger towers, but as I understand it they self adjust if another signal nearby (i.e, a Phantom) interferes with them. I'll try and find out more.
However, EMC interference, electric pylons etc. will certainly effect RC devices - so definitely steer clear of those areas. Not sure about consumer routers, I've flown near houses while first testing my P2 and never had any issues.
Interestingly, in this video Colin Guinn talks about cell towers near their offices "knocking out the control link every time". But he seems to suggest that failsafe mode will always kick in, and that the firmware updates have helped to combat fly aways from competing 2.4Ghz signals.
I still wonder if stronger cell tower EMF may cause interference with the Phantom's compass, which in turn confuses the GPS? I guess switching to ATTI would reduce that effect.
Here's a couple posts which seem to suggest cell towers don't cause fly aways:
Interference From Telecomunication Towers?
Quadcopter Disaster - A warning - Cell Phone Towers
Not sure about the frequency range of larger towers, but as I understand it they self adjust if another signal nearby (i.e, a Phantom) interferes with them. I'll try and find out more.
However, EMC interference, electric pylons etc. will certainly effect RC devices - so definitely steer clear of those areas. Not sure about consumer routers, I've flown near houses while first testing my P2 and never had any issues.
Interestingly, in this video Colin Guinn talks about cell towers near their offices "knocking out the control link every time". But he seems to suggest that failsafe mode will always kick in, and that the firmware updates have helped to combat fly aways from competing 2.4Ghz signals.
I still wonder if stronger cell tower EMF may cause interference with the Phantom's compass, which in turn confuses the GPS? I guess switching to ATTI would reduce that effect.
Here's a couple posts which seem to suggest cell towers don't cause fly aways:
Interference From Telecomunication Towers?
Quadcopter Disaster - A warning - Cell Phone Towers
ianwood
Taco Wrangler
Jaybee said:
Not likely unless the tower is running frequencies in the bands directly adjacent to the GPS L band which it most certainly isn't. At most, it could interfere with one satellite (maybe two) unless you parked your phantom right on the tower.
As for the 2.4GHz signal, 2G/3G/4G services will not cause any interference unless they are operating in overlapping or adjacent bands without a guard band. Very unlikely.
Some telecoms tower operators actually use multi-rotors with 2.4GHz radios to inspect the towers. Bottom line is the 2.4GHz ISM band is very crowded and not everything plays nicely with everything else as it is supposed to. Everything from microwaves and cordless phones to municipal Wi-Fi installations, private high-gain Wi-FI repeater antennas and microwave backhaul (LOS narrow beam) can cause interference.
Not knowing the details, it seems like the Phantom 1 did very little to handle interference and the Phantom 2 does a little more. I've bought a Futaba 8FGHS and RX to stick in my Phantom 2 as I expect it will be more resilient.
Well, my Phantom 2 just flew away :shock:
Last time I could see the thing it was 1000ft away and didn't respond to the controller. Went looking, then switched off the controller to engage the fail safe -- it never came back. Everything seemed in order, GPS lights before take off, very stable hover, very low wind 4 mph, same location as I'd flown around before without problems.
Gutted.
Last time I could see the thing it was 1000ft away and didn't respond to the controller. Went looking, then switched off the controller to engage the fail safe -- it never came back. Everything seemed in order, GPS lights before take off, very stable hover, very low wind 4 mph, same location as I'd flown around before without problems.
Gutted.
**** I'm gutted for you mate, after reading a few of these flyaway stories on here I've just gone and ordered one of these for peace of mind
http://www.quadinnovators.co.uk/
No use to you now, but if you get another phantom could be worth a go?
http://www.quadinnovators.co.uk/
No use to you now, but if you get another phantom could be worth a go?
castlemaster said:
Thanks mate.
Naturally, I've just been looking into these GPS trackers. Not seen the one you posted, so cheers for that. As you probably already know, there are a few GPS trackers around (linked below). DJi should really look into get this stuff on-board as a standard, as well as figuring out a more robust failsafe. Clearly the failsafe does fail, there are plenty of flyaway situations reporting so out there. Unfortunately for me, I've added another here today.
Yeah, I'd advise you/anyone to definitely do all you can to help you recover Phantom if it gets lost. The feeling of hopelessness after almost £1k of kit just does-the-off into the sunset is not great, trust me! Wish I'd have got a GPS tracker before, lesson learned. Although, like any technology, they won't be infallible either but at least it's something, and if it works you'd be able to get a much better idea where to look or ask about.
I'm seriously p**sed off that the failsafe failed. Most people out there will attribute many flyaways to human error, sometimes this may be the case, but in all honesty I did nothing abnormally here – it literally just flew off and didn't return home as advertised after I killed the TX.
Would love to know where it ended up. Could be on a roof, in a tree, in someones back garden, under a car, who knows :?
Some useful links here if anyone is looking into GPS trackers:
http://blutracker.com/
http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/locca ... s-locators
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/tra ... n-and-pets
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