Interference from nearby metal objects

[Mainshipper]

I was having fits yesterday when I could not get my P3P to initialize a Litchi waypoint mission with warnings about GPS (had 17 acquired at the time) and compass errors. I was on a dock where there were long steel pipes running along the wall where boats tie up. I was maybe 5-10' from them and once I moved to a different area where the pipes were not present the issue went away and the mission went without a hitch. What is the relationship between the compass, GPS, and external metallic interference that would cause this?

 

[msinger]

The compass becomes confused when it's close to metallic magnetic objects. It's best to always keep your Phantom clear of them.

 

[Mainshipper]

It's probably like the autopilot compass in my boat that states it should not be placed near large iron objects like the engine. Is there a consistent distance where it might go away?

 

[msinger]

Is there a consistent distance where it might go away?

All is usually okay for me if I'm 10+ feet away. I don't know if larger structures would require you to be even further away.

 

[Flatwoods]

I fly off and around boats and docks also and have had problems with compass calibration warnings. Found a good "when to and when not to recalibrate your compass" thread elsewhere on this forum that I'll try to look up again and pass along.

Yours is a Mainship?

 

[Flatwoods]

The compass calibration thread is titled "Compass Calibration, A Complete Primer". Good stuff.

 

[msinger]

The compass calibration thread is titled "Compass Calibration, A Complete Primer"

Compass Calibration, A Complete Primer