Android and drone.

[Les.]

My pal, who is a car mechanic, but understands carburettors and points rather the EFI etc.,. Last week he bought a drone. He can now fly it after a fashion, but cannot get the camera to operate. He has an “App” on his Samsung phone which he brought here last evening. When he tried to connect, it saw my wifi network, but nothing else.

This morning he rang, and thinks he knows the problem. His Samsung phone is not 5G, which seems to be required. Bearing in mind stuff “over here” can be very expensive, I suggested not rushing into the Telecom place, or he will end up with some expensive “package”.

So, my questions; He will need to buy a 5G phone. Does he need to get a SIM? I assume connectivity is required either direct with the drone, or with the controller. Does it need to go via the Telecoms system, or will it operate SIM free directly?

And if that is OK, will his existing SIM PREVENT such connectivity?

Keep it simple lads, we are country bumbkins remember.

Les.

[PlaneMan]

It’s probably 5Ghz wifi he needs.

The mobile network will have nothing to do with it.

I’ve flown my drone with a phone with no SIM in it many times.

As you suspect the phone will connect direct to the drone via wifi directly.

[Dave Rice]

Yep, it’s going to be WiFi not mobile network. There’s an awful lot of rubbish on Youtube and elsewhere mixing up 5G with 5Ghz. A phone can have 5Ghz WiFi and not be “5G”, mines like that.

The standalone “G” stands for Generation, so it’s 5th Generation mobile data not a Ghz frequency measurement. Budget and / or older phones will only have 2.4Ghz WiFi and 4G. Top end new phones will be 5Ghz and 5G. Mines in the middle at 5Ghz and 4G.

But, you say he’s flown it before? How did he do that if the phone won’t connect to it?

[Les.]

Thanks PM and Dave. In spite of my comments this morning, he decided to buy a cheapo phone (All the features of a £400 phone for £70). A little earlier this afternoon he spent more time U-tubing, and found a guy who seems to understand it, had an identical drone, and met the same problem. Right now he is trying to find if he has bought a suitable phone. Let us hope he just struck lucky.

I don’t have an Android phone, but do have a useless old tablet. I seem to recall that whilst phones take SIMs, tablets don’t access the phone system. Does that imply a (suitable) tablet would be better for the task, with generally bigger screen, USB and often HDMI connectivity?

Cheers, Les.

[Les.]

Just heard back, the phone he bought does not appear to be suitable. He should have listened to Les who does not know, but knows of people who do.

When he was looking at the Utube video earlier, the chap said he needed not just 802.11 etc, but it must be 802.11 b, g, n and AC.

After my tablet thoughts, I just did an Ebay search, and in amongst the stuff offered was this:-  Ebay no.  303182532857
which is a WiFi dongle, 2.4/5GHz. In its specs it has 802.11 b, g, n but no mention of AC. Since it is touted as 5GHz, should that include AC even if not shown?

I had better stop soon or I may become an expert!

Cheers, Les.

[PlaneMan]

Most Android tablets don’t have a SIM slot, some do though, generally speaking they cost more than the equivalent WiFi only version.

It depends if your mates controller has a holder for the phone built in/ can be clipped on. Most are designed for phones only. Of course you don’t need to use the holder, it’s just easier as it’s right there in front of you.

I suspect that it could be the app playing up, get him to uninstall it, reboot the phone a couple of times and reinstall it. It might help. Also try pulling the battery from the drone if that’s an option.

My ‘big’ drone, not big but good outside in fairly strong wind takes a bit of faffing about the first time time I fly it after a while, If it wasn’t a complete steal from China I’d be angry.

 

[Dave Rice]

I have an Android tablet with a SIM slot, a Teclast P80X, and it will do the work of a phone too. I can’t remember if it’s the very latest Android, but it’s only 1 behind if it isn’t.

I bought it as at £80 it has a 1280 x 800 IPS screen, 2.4 & 5Ghz AC, Bluetooth 5. The non X is here with no sim slot but everything else.

802.11ac will always be dual band, but 5Ghz was available as an option for 802.11n. So the thing to look for is AC. I would expect most things WiFi these days to be 802.11ac

A USB dongle will be no use to him.

[Les.]

Right, I think I get it now.

Yes, it has a phone holder. Any modern android phone with 801.11AC. Could be worth reinstalling the App.

Cheers, all, Les.

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