How far should my drone signal really go?

Product Support Forum
1

I have a DJI Mini 3 Pro, and I use it with Goggles 2. The farthest I can fly before losing signal is around 1.5-2km (about a mile), but even before that, around 0.8-1km (half a mile), the video quality gets pretty bad.

I’m flying from the top of a 10-story building with a completely open view—no tall buildings blocking the way—so I expected a much better range.

Could the building itself be interfering with the signal? Or is this just the reality of drone range, and DJI exaggerates their specs like they do with battery life?

2

Yeah, that’s pretty normal depending on conditions. DJI’s advertised range is based on ideal situations with zero interference. Humidity is a big one—radio signals struggle to get through water.

If you want better video at long distances, consider upgrading to the Goggles 3 with O4 transmission. My Avata 2 holds a good signal even at 2km, though it does start to degrade.

3

@Zev
London usually has 60-70% humidity, so that could explain it. Thanks for the insight.

4

Adair said:
@Zev
London usually has 60-70% humidity, so that could explain it. Thanks for the insight.

Yeah, I’m in Belgium, and it’s the same story here. If you want perfect range, you’d need to find a desert somewhere. :wink:

5

Adair said:
@Zev
London usually has 60-70% humidity, so that could explain it. Thanks for the insight.

Since you’re in the city, all the WiFi networks and other signals around you could be interfering too.

6

Adair said:
@Zev
London usually has 60-70% humidity, so that could explain it. Thanks for the insight.

If you’re in the UK, you’re likely on CE mode, which has lower transmission power than the US. There’s a way to switch to FCC mode, which increases range. The Mini 3 Pro also has antenna issues that limit its signal, so switching to FCC can make a big difference.

7

It also depends if your drone is running in CE mode or FCC mode. FCC has way better range, sometimes double or triple.

8

Flying from the top of a building might be working against you. There’s probably a lot of EMI (electromagnetic interference) from the metal structure and possibly high-power radio equipment on the roof. Try flying from a hilltop or open field and see if it makes a difference.

And yeah, DJI’s range numbers are based on the absolute best conditions. Real-world results are usually much lower.

9

@Corey
If this is the tallest building in the area, there’s probably a bunch of RF equipment up there. Could be messing with your signal.

10

Sounds like your drone is competing with a ton of other signals from cell towers and antennas on top of the building and around you.

Have you tried flying from an open area to see if it makes a difference?

11

:arrow_up: 100% this!