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Range limitations CE and FCC... going over?

Fredo

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Does anyone (talking to european resident) tried to go over the CE range limitations that we have on last DJI drones.
I mean in FCC country with a Mavic you can fly 4.3 Miles (7Km) away, theorically.
In European country, the rules limit the controller power to a distance of 2.5 Miles (4km). Yep... that suck.

For information and after some search it look like it's a GPS based limitation. If your GPS position is under CE rules appliance, your controller power is limited, if your GPS position is under FCC rules, your are full power and range.

If i understand good, that limitations was already applied on last phantoms 4. Does anyone tried and succeeded on going over? By a hack or phone application or whatever..
 
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It's power output limitation not range, the specs DJI posted are the kinds of range you can expect in ideal conditions but it's been often found you can go well beyond this.

Reality is it's completely down to the locations your flying, lots of wifi around and you won't get 50% of that.




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I'm totally ok with you. It's not a range limitation but a power limitation wich finaly... limit the range.
But the question is not how far dji tell us we can fly, and how far we can really fly.
The question is, does someone know or have an idea on how to not being "power" limited when flying in European Communauty.

I'm not an offender or criminal. My thought is that i find this european limitation too restrictive and unfounded.
Tell me why it's more secure to fly your drone 4km away than 7km away ? In both you are out of view, and from a long time.

I had an idea, not the best, but just for a try.
As this limitation is based on your current GPS localisation (GPS position is in Europe: power reduced)
Is it possible to desactivate totally the GPS reception in controller menu? Like we are flying indoor, but being out.
I know you will lose all incredible functionalities the Mavic have (RTH, map, speed, altitude...) but it's just a way of work. ;-)
 
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I think that the down feed link (from Mavic to RC for things like telemetry and video feed) is also limited!
So only "fooling" the RC to get more TX power will not be enough.
 
On CE mode both Phantom 3 and 4 will easily go further than DJI suggest - in ideal conditions.
I'd be surprised if we don't see the same with Mavic - like the phantoms the battery will be more of a limit than radio range in open areas.
It would be pretty unusual to want to go more than 4km other than to see if you could.
 
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The new proposed European EASA rules will make the 4 km range a dream... the proposition is hardware enforced limitations of max 100 meters range with a max altitude of 50 meters... If that is true, it's not so much fun any more. Let's hope we can keep to the current LOS + 120 meters GND.

/// Tom
 
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If it happens, DJI will be forced to push this update to all CE devices where applicable!
 
What will we do with a 1000€ aircraft wich can fly 50m high and 100m far ?
I don't know where our hobby is going... but i don't like the way it take!
 
What will we do with a 1000€ aircraft wich can fly 50m high and 100m far ?
I don't know where our hobby is going... but i don't like the way it take!

Well, in Sweden the government made things really easy by simply outlawing all camera equipped drones in Swedish airspace. Problem solved.

So flying my Phantom (and soon to arrive Mavic) is now considered a crime, like drug dealing, burglary, arsen, rape or homicide.

Since I have never been a criminal before, it is all a bit new to me and I am not sure about the correct procedures... do I need to be wearing a Guy Fawkes mask?

/// Tom
 
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I'm totally ok with you. It's not a range limitation but a power limitation wich finaly... limit the range.
But the question is not how far dji tell us we can fly, and how far we can really fly.
The question is, does someone know or have an idea on how to not being "power" limited when flying in European Communauty.

I'm not an offender or criminal. My thought is that i find this european limitation too restrictive and unfounded.
Tell me why it's more secure to fly your drone 4km away than 7km away ? In both you are out of view, and from a long time.

I had an idea, not the best, but just for a try.
As this limitation is based on your current GPS localisation (GPS position is in Europe: power reduced)
Is it possible to desactivate totally the GPS reception in controller menu? Like we are flying indoor, but being out.
I know you will lose all incredible functionalities the Mavic have (RTH, map, speed, altitude...) but it's just a way of work. ;-)
It is my understanding that the radio power limitation of 100mW in UK is general to all common use radio equipment such as two-way radios, WiFi hubs, etc.
 
Since I have never been a criminal before, it is all a bit new to me and I am not sure about the correct procedures... do I need to be wearing a Guy Fawkes mask?

/// Tom

Maybe a stocking over your head. I would not mind that, what are house prices like there? :D
 
The new proposed European EASA rules will make the 4 km range a dream... the proposition is hardware enforced limitations of max 100 meters range with a max altitude of 50 meters... If that is true, it's not so much fun any more. Let's hope we can keep to the current LOS + 120 meters GND.

/// Tom

How much of a concern is this?.I have preordered the mavic.
Would it be wise to wait and see how this pans out or like a lot of proposals we could be talking years or even never?.

Cheers Scott


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It is my understanding that the radio power limitation of 100mW in UK is general to all common use radio equipment such as two-way radios, WiFi hubs, etc.
In fact, power limitations is regulated and depend of the frequency. For example, Free two way radios like PMR (446Mhz) is limited to 500mw. LPD (433Mhz) is limited to 10mW. Ham radio operators in HF band (0 - 30Mhz) is limited to 1500W in most countries. For the 2.4Ghz Wi-Fi it's also limited by local regulations, in Europe it's 100mW, in coutries under FCC rules... it's up to 1W. For 5.5Ghz it's up to 200mW...
Anyway... power limitations are very complicate and depend of your local regulations and equipment you are using (antenna gain).
Some search on google can teach you a lot.

Few links below:
FCC Rules and Regulations | AIR802 | 2.4 & 5 GHz Bands
Wi-Fi - Wikipedia
 
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In fact, power limitations is regulated and depend of the frequency. For example, Free two way radios like PMR (446Mhz) is limited to 500mw. LPD (433Mhz) is limited to 10mW. Ham radio operators in HF band (0 - 30Mhz) is limited to 1500W in most countries. For the 2.4Ghz Wi-Fi it's also limited by local regulations, in Europe it's 100mW, in coutries under FCC rules... it's up to 1W. For 5.5Ghz it's up to 200mW...
Anyway... power limitations are very complicate and depend of your local regulations and equipment you are using (antenna gain).
Some search on google can teach you a lot.

Few links below:
FCC Rules and Regulations | AIR802 | 2.4 & 5 GHz Bands
Wi-Fi - Wikipedia
My point concerns the UK limitations only, no need of a patronizing answer.
 
Si alguien save alguna manera para cambiar de ce a fcc que la publique porfavor gracias.
This is an English speaking forum and as such the rules request you post in English.
If that is not your first language, please do your best or use one of the many online translators.
 
How much of a concern is this?.I have preordered the mavic.
Would it be wise to wait and see how this pans out or like a lot of proposals we could be talking years or even never?.

Cheers Scott


Sent from my iPhone using MavicPilots

I think it will take several years before we have a set of common European regulations in place for UAV's. Mind you, flying with ultralight manned aircraft is still nationally regulated, even after so many years.

I think you can safely fly your Mavic and its successors for several years to come. I also think that the advertised 4 km range is actually plenty. It takes a considerable time to fly that far out and back again (especially in windy conditions), and the battery will be always a limiting factor.

/// Tom
 
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How to change fcc ce? . In drone mavic. Thanks a greeting from the Canary Islands
 
I think that the down feed link (from Mavic to RC for things like telemetry and video feed) is also limited!
So only "fooling" the RC to get more TX power will not be enough.
.
How to change fcc ce? . In drone mavic. Thanks a greeting from the Canary Islands
 

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