Maximum range of the drone has a huge impact on the comfort of the equipment. The value of this parameter may vary considerably depending on the selected model or flight conditions - here is the most important information on this subject.
Drone coverage - key factors affecting performance
The range of drones is determined by several different factors that relate to both the device itself and the conditions under which the flight takes place. The most important issue is the technologies used, especially in terms of communication. Most of the models available on the market use radio waves, so the flight range can be from a few to several kilometers. However, for equipment that, for example, only supports Wi-Fi, it will be much smaller. For a drone with Wi-Fi, the range is at most a few hundred meters, and the numerous interferences for these waves, especially in the city, can reduce it by up to half.
Therefore, another factor is so important, namely the environment in which the operator flies. In the context of communication, it is necessary to take into account terrain obstacles such as buildings or trees should be considered. In addition, range can be affected by the large number of nearby antennas and devices transmitting strong waves such as cellular network stations. On top of that, there is also battery life - The larger it is, the greater the range of the drones is as well.
Flight time and maximum range are also affected by atmospheric conditions. Heavy rain and precipitation, especially snow, can effectively impede control and reduce the range of. Also, too low temperatures reduce the performance of the device - in this case, reduced battery life plays a major role. Importantly, different models are equipped with different components, resulting in quite a difference in drone range. This can be seen especially with devices for professional use, which are equipped with a number of additional solutions to increase flight time.
Consumer drones vs. professional - coverage comparison
What range does a drone for professional use have, and what range does a standard model offer? The differences between devices of this type are quite large, but the transmission range itself can be similar. Typical consumer devices allow efficient communication within a few kilometers (e.g., DJI Spark - 2 km), although the the latest models (e.g., DJI Mavic 3 Pro), however, boast a range of more than 20 km. As for the range of the drones themselves, similar values are offered by professional models (e.g. dJI Matrice 350 RTK platform - 20 km with extensions). With such equipment, however, it should be noted that they provide much more functionality - it is worth noting, first of all, the following the possibility of Full HD video transmission at a distance of up to 20 km. By far the greatest flight range is provided by military drones, which can be sent as far as several thousand kilometers.
How weather conditions and terrain obstacles affect drone coverage?
The answer to the question "what range does a drone have" depends not only on the characteristics of the chosen model, but also on the conditions at the flight site. The maximum range decreases especially with precipitation, that can interfere with the signal. In terms of drone coverage, the following are also important the presence of obstacles - buildings, trees or even mountains. For this reason, manufacturers often list the flight range as several values, for example, divided into urban and open-air flights. Battery life also plays an important role, which drops off especially quickly at high temperatures, which also affects flight time.
To be able to make the best and safest use of the capabilities of your device, it is useful to know what range your drone has in specific conditions. The important thing is to constantly watching the flight and paying attention to software messages. Always remember to control your equipment responsibly. This is especially true in situations where the maximum range is limited: under adverse conditions, it is advisable to limit the flight time and remain ready to quickly return to a safe place.
Technologies to increase drone range
Striving to increase the range of drones is a priority for virtually every manufacturer operating in the field. For this purpose, a number of modern technologies are used that affect m.in. at battery life - We are talking, for example, about cells that offer more capacity at a similar weight. Another solution is panel antennas, which allow to increase the range up to 4 times.
Also of considerable importance are innovations in radio communications. More powerful antennas, more precise signal readings, better GPS support - all of which make it possible for devices to be efficiently controlled over greater distances. Nowadays, m.in. 5G connectivity, which allows instant information transfer between transmitters and drones.
Safety and drone range regulations
Laws regulate a number of issues related to the use of drones - they are devices in the airspace, which entails considerable restrictions. However, the drone range itself is not explicitly defined by aviation management organizations. In theory, there is no limit on coverage in Poland and the European Union.
Covered by the guidelines, on the other hand, is the compliance system imposed by Europe, i.e CE. This designation not only guarantees that the drone does not interfere with other equipment, but also that it meets certain safety requirements for users and the environment. In the United States, drones, on the other hand, are covered by FCC certification.
" When looking for a drone always pay attention to range. Manufacturers often specify this parameter for the U.S. system, or FCC. In Poland and Europe, we use the CE system, so the range can be even a few kilometers shorter."
However, other recommendations should be followed, which can have an indirect effect on the distance - these primarily include flights in the open category, which require keeping the drone in sight (VLOS flights). In addition to this drone pilots should always follow the regulations of the area to maintain an adequate level of safety for themselves, their device and third parties.
