Weak Link

DeputyDawg · Dec 12, 2016

Hello all,

Still new to the drone world with my P3A.

I'm still nervous about lost link and flyaways...

So while using this weekend in a very small subdivision (was filming a friends house). She has a very small lake behind her house. I went out a bit then forward to come in and swoop in which I thought would be a good shot.

I wasn't too far away but not close. I started getting "weak transmission" errors on the DJI Go app. I didn't panic but brought it off the water quickly.

I'm assuming the "weak signal" referred to the video transmission (i was recording video) and not the communications with the drone itself.

1) How can I determine if it was video downlink or drone communications issues?
2) If it was video, should I play around with the channels? I had it on automatic? If I play around with custom channels any good ideas?
3) What would have caused this since there were no metal objects and a very small subdivision thus I can't imagine huge amounts of wifi interference? I do tether my Ipad (which is wifi only) to work off my Iphone (so I can pull in the maps). Should I have my Ipad on airplane mode?
4) Should I invest in one of those spectrum analyzers?

Thanks All...

Great_Lakes · Dec 12, 2016

I can't speak definitively about the P3A, but on my P3P, it will say "Weak image transmission signal" if it is the video feed signal. Not sure if the P3A displays signal messages the same. You also said it reported "weak transmission errors". Are you sure it was an "error" or just a notification. It makes a difference.

I know, that isn't much help, but if it happens again, be sure to notice exactly what it says. You could always upload the log here. There are people who can tell you what happened.

DeputyDawg · Dec 12, 2016

Thanks, You are right it wasn't an error. It just said on the top of my tablet weak transmission

I looked at the log via healthydrones and didn't see anything vs. one other time this happened I did see an entry in the log

When you say post the log, do you mean screen shot of the healthydrone screen?

DeputyDawg · Dec 12, 2016

This is all I got from the healthydrone log (assuming i'm in the right place):

Flight time Altitude Home Distance Type Notification
A 00m 00s 0.0 ft 0 ft Mode Mode changed to GPS_Atti
B 00m 02s 0.0 ft 0 ft Mode Mode changed to AssitedTakeoff
C 00m 04s 0.0 ft 0 ft Mode Mode changed to GPS_Atti
D 03m 28s 91.2 ft 51 ft Warning Warning:Min. Circling Radius is 5m (16ft).
E 03m 41s 92.2 ft 24 ft Mode Mode changed to GPS_HotPoint
F 03m 51s 92.2 ft 36 ft Warning M Exposure Mode. Metering Disabled
G 05m 46s 76.1 ft 54 ft Mode Mode changed to GPS_Atti
H 05m 49s 75.5 ft 56 ft Mode Mode changed to Atti
I 05m 49s 75.5 ft 56 ft Mode Mode changed to GPS_Atti
J 14m 29s 45.6 ft 175 ft Mode Mode changed to GoHome
K 14m 29s 45.6 ft 175 ft Tip Tips__Going to the Home Point
L 15m 00s 161.7 ft 8 ft Mode Mode changed to AutoLanding
M 15m 00s 161.7 ft 8 ft Tip Tips__Going to the Home Point
N 15m 10s 124.7 ft 7 ft Mode Mode changed to GPS_Atti
O 15m 11s 122.4 ft 7 ft Tip Tips__Landing Canceled

DeputyDawg · Dec 12, 2016

What do "minor signal errors" mean in the healthydrones "sensor" section

Great_Lakes · Dec 13, 2016

How do you have your antennas configured?. Essentially they should point straight up with the flat sides towards the aircraft. Be sure they are not pointed straight forward with the flat sides towards the ground. That will also give a weak signal message.

DeputyDawg · Dec 13, 2016

Great Lakes

Thanks, that has been something that has been bugging me. Of course 15 people will have 15 different explainations.

I have mine in a V shape currently. I have since ordered the BTG signal boosters, which force them to stand straight up. Lots of folks recommended them. For $12 bucks I will give that a try.

Appreciate your help.

Still curious what all those minor signals mean? Also when you say upload logs for someone to read here, what logs am I uploading (I see healthydrones.com allows me to download a .csv file but suspect that is not it.

msinger · Dec 13, 2016

DeputyDawg said:
I have mine in a V shape currently.

Try positioning your antennas like this:

royster · Dec 13, 2016

In answer to other question- Yes, put tablet/phone in airplane mode

DeputyDawg · Dec 14, 2016

Royster, I was going to ask about that

However, I use my Iphone to tether signal to my Ipad (so I can get maps)

royster · Dec 14, 2016

I cache the map of area I;m flying, before I leave the house, so no need for Wi-Fi once I;m out in the field.
I cache simply by picking map of area, scroll around, enlarge,etc a few times & its "cached"
I;m not sure if this is the right method, but works for me!