Using WiFi Extender with phone control

[Dogpilot]

I did order a Neo, eventually it will stroll into my mailbox. I was looking about and only found partial answers to something, I suppose I will have to test out upon receipt. However, it would be interesting if somebody has already tried it. I am a geologist and wanted to use the Neo for close in looks at stuff I really don't feel like rock climbing up to. I do have a rally small battery WiFi node, my car also posses a WiFi network all of its own. I understand there is a relative firmware 50m limit on a phone control. Now the latest version of DJI Fly allows you to manually update the home point, well at least it does with my other DJI drones (Enterprise drones always could do this, but they use different apps). I was curious if anybody tried to use the WiFi 1st up higher, for better signal and 2nd in an intermediate position to better range. So let's say, put the WiFI out 40m from your position and update the home point to it. This should in theory allow further flight with the phone. No, I do not want to bring one of my controllers I have enough equipment in my backpack already, or I'd just bring the Mini 4 Pro.

Has anybody actually tried it out?

Kind of what I am talking about, not wanting to climb.

 

[GFields]

A drone with good zoom capabilities would be safer to use

 

[Chrislaf]

For all the hassle of trying to get a WiFi extender to work, which is unlikely anyway, why not just get an RC-N3 controller. They are not that heavy and your range problem is solved.

Chris

 

[GFields]

For all the hassle of trying to get a WiFi extender to work, which is unlikely anyway, why not just get an RC-N3 controller. They are not that heavy and your range problem is solved.

Chris

Agreed

 

[Kilrah]

Moving the Home point has never allowed to extend the distance limits AFAIK, that's always tied to the takeoff location.

 

[Dogpilot]

Interesting, so I would need to land to extend. I have tried the Mavic 2 Zoom in the past, not a good system. They never made a mechanical zoom drone since. The main thing is I like the size and weight part about the Neo, it is not bigger than my Leica binoculars and far lighter. If I want bulk, I can just carry my Mavic 3E. I am looking for a light load out and I can only carry so much bulk. Since I virtually always carry my iPhone, it was a thought. I use an interface with one of my GPS devices for precision in an app on the phone. I have to carry hammers bottles of acid for testing and occasionally a small laser device for testing composition. Survey markers, small shovel, lots of water and so on. Carrying tech just gets old. For example to map this volcano in 3D I had to carry the 3E and an D-RTK-2 transmitter spare batteries iPad and so on up to the small crater next to it, in 102° heat, fun.

 

[RcHawks]

You've got a tough job! I can see why you'd like to limit any added weight. I had a friend who used to work on windmills and he described the conditions he had to work and how it wasn't an easy job.

 

[Dogpilot]

Nobody gets into geology if they do not love hiking in the outdoors. They make sure of that. Our field training unit at UCLA was nearly six months spanning a summer north of Death Valley. You mapped a square mile a day, on foot. I did a project in Borneo, really deep jungle, the survey crew got lost for two weeks. I lost 40 lbs in six weeks. Don't go to the jungle for the food or are deeply troubled by leeches. The upside is you can go to interesting places, away from people seeing stuff nobody else has. The tech is making it easier, but then you end up looking like you went to a sale at REI after winning the lottery if you want to bring it all. As you age, you become more selective. You really cannot drive to these places. You get close, then hike. I also use my aircraft to do preliminary aerial surveys.

We all have glommed onto drones. You get spoiled by them. Then you go to someplace like Namibia where they can get so upset about them. I am off to South Africa in two weeks, they too are a bit troublesome about it. Usually, if you need it, you hire a local. The NEO can be argued as a toy, especially if you do not have controller and put Hello Kitty stickers on it. If they confiscate it, oh well. In many places I can leverage my Commercial Pilot's License for a quickie overlay license, much like in the USA. Not everyplace though. Nice thing, if you really have a pressing need, you can visit with the head of Civil Aviation in many countries and work something out. Small countries have an advantage in respect to access. You don't have to deal with the minions.

 

[RcHawks]

That's one of the reasons I like the Neo so much is because it doesn't attract much attention and yet it is a very capable little drone.
Very interesting view on things you deal with all the time with your job. I can see why a drone would be a very useful tool in that type of environment.