Home point not there at times

[stooge75]

I’m sure my mini3pro RC used to update its home point before I took off before but now the icon is red until after takeoff then it say’s home point created. Any idea?

 

[WanderLost]

I’m sure my mini3pro RC used to update its home point before I took off before but now the icon is red until after takeoff then it say’s home point created. Any idea?

I sometimes get that when there aren't enough satellites to establish a proper GPS fix. Also, if there is strong magnetic interference from nearby metal (cars, buildings, etc.) or even rebar in concrete, can delay acquisition of the home point.

 

[rwilliam99]

I’m sure my mini3pro RC used to update its home point before I took off before but now the icon is red until after takeoff then it say’s home point created. Any idea?

Also, if you are flying a distance away from wherever you last flew, it will take longer to get a fix. Regardless, it is imperative that you not fly anywhere until you get the "home point is updated" message - if you do, you risk your drone doing odd things. I lost a drone due to poor GPS fix - I learned the hard way.

 

[stooge75]

I sometimes get that when there aren't enough satellites to establish a proper GPS fix. Also, if there is strong magnetic interference from nearby metal (cars, buildings, etc.) or even rebar in concrete, can delay acquisition of the home point.

I doubt it’s anything to do with satellites as I had 22. I just tried again and it says homepoint updated but the little icon up top is STILL red until it just lifts off then it turns white

 

[stooge75]

Also, if you are flying a distance away from wherever you last flew, it will take longer to get a fix. Regardless, it is imperative that you not fly anywhere until you get the "home point is updated" message - if you do, you risk your drone doing odd things. I lost a drone due to poor GPS fix - I learned the hard way.

But that’s just it,I get the white homepoint icon but just after I liftoff

 

[kevguy]

I’m sure my mini3pro RC used to update its home point before I took off before but now the icon is red until after takeoff then it say’s home point created. Any idea?

The home point is updated after the drone connects to so many satellites. The reason I know this is that whenever I boot up the drone and RC controller, I wait until I get green color on the satellite connection(somewhere around 20 satellites) then the RC controller tells me the home point has been updated.

 

[kevguy]

But that’s just it,I get the white homepoint icon but just after I liftoff

Liftoff after you get green on satellite connection.

 

[Droning on and on...]

I sometimes get that when there aren't enough satellites to establish a proper GPS fix. Also, if there is strong magnetic interference from nearby metal (cars, buildings, etc.) or even rebar in concrete, can delay acquisition of the home point.

How?

These things do not interfere with GPS radio signals any more than they do any other RF.

 

[Droning on and on...]

Also, if you are flying a distance away from wherever you last flew, it will take longer to get a fix.

True, but that's a pretty big radius from the last fix acquired, about 100km.

 

[WanderLost]

How?

These things do not interfere with GPS radio signals any more than they do any other RF.

Sure - but magnetic interference messes with the onboard compass which will also cause a failure to update the homepoint.

 

[Droning on and on...]

Sure - but magnetic interference messes with the onboard compass which will also cause a failure to update the homepoint.

Didn't know that, as the compass isn't necessary to determine location.

I'm going from memory, but I think the home point is recorded after starting the motors, and they won't start if there's too much magnetic interference making the compass wonky.

 

[Meta4]

Sure - but magnetic interference messes with the onboard compass which will also cause a failure to update the homepoint.

GPS is completely independent of the compass and the compass has nothing to do with homepoint recording.
Magnetic interference can cause some problems, but it won't cause a failure of the homepoint record properly.

I'm going from memory, but I think the home point is recorded after starting the motors

Motors not necessary.
Just power up and watch the satellites lock in.

 

[Droning on and on...]

GPS is completely independent of the compass and the compass has nothing to do with homepoint recording.
Magnetic interference can cause some problems, but it won't cause a failure of the homepoint record properly.




Motors not necessary.
Just power up and watch the satellites lock in.

Yup... just tested it on the Mini3P, indoors no less. As soon as I had enough sats for the indicator to turn white, I got the home point updated verbal message.

Oddly, it took another 5 seconds more before the "Fly with caution (no GPS)" message changed. Not thinking anything of it one time, could have been Android.

 

[Drbobk]

GPS is completely independent of the compass and the compass has nothing to do with homepoint recording.
Magnetic interference can cause some problems, but it won't cause a failure of the homepoint record properly.




Motors not necessary.
Just power up and watch the satellites lock in.

I’ll have to test that. I always thought that home Point was set when you started the motors, but it would explain 2 recent home point misses my drone had. I’ve been documenting a golf course reconstruction project, which requires me to move around on my golf cart to various locations on the course. Recently, I have begun to start the controller and the drone while they are on the cart, and then I go put a landing pad out in a clear area and then transport the other two items to the landing area and take off. But yesterday when I hit return to home, it nearly landed in a tree and at first, I couldn’t understand why. Now I realize that I was parked under that tree and the Home point must’ve been set when I started the drone, not when I started the motors and took off. I had looked at the map and the home point showed at my location, but it’s too small to see a difference of 20 feet. I will be sure to wait until I am on the landing pad before I start the drone. Also, I need to turn up the volume on the smart controller. Thanks for that tip. And once or twice, after I’ve landed if I’m going to be taking off from a spot not too far away, I will leave the drone on and the controller on and drive to the new location and takeoff. That saves the boot up time. But I hadn’t realized the home point implications of doing it that way. No more!

 

[MS Coast]

And once or twice, after I’ve landed if I’m going to be taking off from a spot not too far away, I will leave the drone on and the controller on and drive to the new location and takeoff.

If the home point isn't properly set (should be checked before commencing a flight) you can always manually set it to the drone's current location.

Be careful when powering the drone on while sitting in the golf cart that the ferrous metals in the cart don't bias the compass. Comparing the compass reading to reality is another essential pre-departure check.

 

[Drbobk]

If the home point isn't properly set (should be checked before commencing a flight) you can always manually set it to the drone's current location.

Be careful when powering the drone on while sitting in the golf cart that the ferrous metals in the cart don't bias the compass. Comparing the compass reading to reality is another essential pre-departure check.

I realize now how many reasons there are NOT to start the drone as I take it out of the case. I always watch for metal (even underground) when I set the landing pad but didn’t think about the cart. I have not been prompted to do a calibration though.

 

[MS Coast]

I realize now how many reasons there are NOT to start the drone as I take it out of the case. I always watch for metal (even underground) when I set the landing pad but didn’t think about the cart. I have not been prompted to do a calibration though.

Just, don't depend on a calibration warning to indicate a problem with compass bias. Instead, just confirm that the compass reading on the screen matches reality and verify the home point is shown correctly on the map prior to departing on a flight.

If you're unsure about actual directions with respect to north, you can use the map view. Confirm that the drone is pointing parallel to or perpendicular to a street, for example.

I often launch a drone from my patio and there's an area that consistently creates compass bias. Ten inches away, there's no issue. I think it was @slup who suggested always powering the drone on while holding it in your hand, being sure that you're away from all ferrous metals and electrical equipment. I've adopted that approach.

 

[Felix le Chat]

I realize now how many reasons there are NOT to start the drone as I take it out of the case. I always watch for metal (even underground) when I set the landing pad but didn’t think about the cart. I have not been prompted to do a calibration though.

An electric golf cart? EMI from the motor windings. Just as an example, I can't boot any of my drones up anywhere near one of the freezers in my kitchen because the one interferes with the compasses and knocks them totally out of whack... happens every time.