I've only ever lost GPS connection when I've tried to launch from an area surrounded by close hills or cliffs or flown into such an area. If I was already in the air, gaining elevation always fixed the problem.
Recently, I flew into a narrow canyon where I was concerned that I could lose both GPS and my controller signal at the same time. It occurred to me that I wasn't sure what my drone would do in such a situation. I suspect that it would just sit there, drift and eventually crash into something. However, if RTH was initiated (even without GPS), two things would happen that might still save the drone:
1. My proximity sensors would activate - I turn them off for normal flying.
2. The drone would ascend to my pre-set RTH elevation, pick up a GPS connection on the way, and then fly home.
Of course, it could easily crash into something on the ascent. But it would seem sensible to me to program the drone to activate RTH on loss of signal, even without GPS lock - as the first part of the RTH journey (ascending to RTH elevation) doesn't require GPS and could well save the drone. But is this what happens?
As to my flight through the canyon - it was uneventful. I stayed higher than I would have preferred, and the GPS lock held. The controller signal was surprising strong given that, ahem, I couldn't see the drone. There was a sheer rock wall blocking the direct line, which meant that the signal was bouncing off the sides of the canyon (like a game of pool) to get to the drone. I've only recently acquired Ocusync 2.0, and I continue to be impressed.
Recently, I flew into a narrow canyon where I was concerned that I could lose both GPS and my controller signal at the same time. It occurred to me that I wasn't sure what my drone would do in such a situation. I suspect that it would just sit there, drift and eventually crash into something. However, if RTH was initiated (even without GPS), two things would happen that might still save the drone:
1. My proximity sensors would activate - I turn them off for normal flying.
2. The drone would ascend to my pre-set RTH elevation, pick up a GPS connection on the way, and then fly home.
Of course, it could easily crash into something on the ascent. But it would seem sensible to me to program the drone to activate RTH on loss of signal, even without GPS lock - as the first part of the RTH journey (ascending to RTH elevation) doesn't require GPS and could well save the drone. But is this what happens?
As to my flight through the canyon - it was uneventful. I stayed higher than I would have preferred, and the GPS lock held. The controller signal was surprising strong given that, ahem, I couldn't see the drone. There was a sheer rock wall blocking the direct line, which meant that the signal was bouncing off the sides of the canyon (like a game of pool) to get to the drone. I've only recently acquired Ocusync 2.0, and I continue to be impressed.
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