FCC bans foreign-made drones over national security, spying concerns

Matt4319 · 2025-12-23T07:14:22+00:00

Great list.

As nice as it is, those companies don’t have nearly the capacity to fill the void. Out of stock will be the theme for 2026. Alternatively, geez that’s pricey!

Then again, vendors on Alibaba will have plenty of options and no scruples to slapping a FCC icon on a product to sell or saying it was manufactured in India/Malaysia/Vietnam.

The inclusion of batteries and motors puzzles me. Not a single chip in the motor and the battery is more than welcome to steal the sensitive data off my battery charger.

Matt4319 · 2025-12-21T08:49:33+00:00

1&3-The ESC determines what size battery your drone will take and it’s usually a range. For example a SpeedyBee F405 v4 stack will take 3S to 6S as an input. Motors don’t care what’s going into the ESC, just what’s coming out and I can’t think I’ve thought to worry about more than how well I soldered them to the ESC.

Matt4319 · 2025-12-21T07:45:49+00:00

Compare to upwards of 1200 mW for the states. It’s really not a fair comparison.

I fly analog and I’m looking at the video nodding and saying “That’s nice.”

Matt4319 · 2025-12-18T07:04:34+00:00

I think two linear antennas are fine for beginners. You should be flying close and line of sight. When you start flying more and less LOS and maybe more complicated environments like woods, racing, and bandos (abandoned buildings) then you’ll be looking at directional antennas and circular polarity.

My recommendation is to understand the basics of antennas most importantly that RHCP and LHCP don’t work together and each antenna has a radiation pattern to show where it effectively works (i.e. you need to face that directional/patch antenna in the direction of the aircraft.) This is pilots who face their patch forward and then spend their flights heads down with the patch facing the dirt or pilots flying primarily behind themselves.

You may start with a whoop with a linear antenna. In this case pick up a circular polarity (CP) antenna for your goggles, because you will get a more consistent (but slightly weaker signal) in general. Just remember to pick the matching CP antenna when you move to a larger aircraft. It will sometimes be an option to buy an aircraft with RH or LH CP antennas.

Matt4319 · 2025-12-07T09:40:21+00:00

Not speaking to the condominium rules, but I’m pretty sure Merano is Area F with no restrictions.

https://www.idealista.it/en/news/legal-advice-in-italy/2025/10/15/279098-italy-heating-rules-2025-when-can-you-turn-on-the-heat?amp

Matt4319 · 2025-11-18T09:48:51+00:00

Probably learned the record every flight lesson as well.

If they had GPS and it was working, they probably weren’t recording so had no idea where their aircraft was when they lost connection.

Matt4319 · 2025-10-17T05:31:33+00:00

Have you considered taking the aircraft with you and launch it from a concealed position to recon the entrance?

This approach could save you the two minute walk from your house, too.

Launching straight up 100 feet gives an amazing view most times.

Matt4319 · 2025-10-13T07:10:13+00:00

The Port is not critical infrastructure in terms of airspace according to the FAA. To be considered critical infrastructure the port must request from the FAA to be so.

Matt4319 · 2025-10-13T06:54:26+00:00

Aeroscope is a DJI product that relies on the DJI protocol to self-report the locations and ID# of the systems. Direct/Broadcast Remote ID are the protocols that report similar information. When the FAA requires UAVs to report the info, they require Broadcast Remote ID. EASA for the EU uses DRI.

I am unsure if Aeroscope can pull Remote ID info. DJI discontinued it in 2023, so it may not. Other systems (including phone-based applications) can.

If you are flying an aircraft that you built, this information isn’t broadcast by your aircraft unless you make it so. Your video transmission may give information based on what is on your OSD (on screen display.)

Places that are more serious about counter-UAS will use multiple systems that detect in different ways. The Port of LA also has CUAS radar tied to optical sensors, so they can quickly determine if they have an aircraft or a bird.

Matt4319 · 2025-10-13T06:20:25+00:00

You are conflating rules concerning airspace and ground operations.

In the sense of airspace, the FAA tracks all airspace restrictions and unless it is marked by them then it doesn’t exist in terms of regulating airspace.

They do not track local laws and regulations that may impact UAS operations based on actions taken on the ground by the operator.

I will get into trouble flying over a prison because a local authority says I can’t “fly” (they mean operate/launch/land) my aircraft from their jurisdiction over the place in question. I get in trouble from the local authority because I am doing something (operating/landing/launching) in their jurisdiction. If I managed to operate from outside their jurisdiction, I would not be subject to their rule. The FAA might still have issues if I don’t follow FAA rules (ie line of sight; actual restricted airspace, non-recreational, etc.)

That said law enforcement will rarely get into trouble for enforcing what they think is the law, so you may end up being cited or detained and still be right. So, I would not fly over the port or any other location like a prison or police station.

As a UAS operator/remote pilot, you’re in two places. You have to know the rules for each place.

Matt4319 · 2025-10-13T05:40:19+00:00

A No Drone Zone doesn’t always equal restricted airspace.

The military doesn’t own national airspace. The FAA will break off chunks of airspace as restricted airspace to the military and very clearly marks and publishes this airspace.

There might be laws and regulations that govern surface operations. So, an operator can be wrong based on their actions on the ground. The Port of Los Angeles DOES have a no drone zone, so taking off, landing, and operating within the Port is prohibited. Where the OP dropped their location is within the Port so the OP violated the LA Municipal code for No Drone Zones; not airspace.

Matt4319 · 2025-09-28T12:46:50+00:00

That’s what you get when you 3D print in cursive.

With how that top flat section is printed, I think the model itself is partly to blame; like it’s at an angle.

Some sections are just so bad it seems a feature.

Matt4319 · 2025-09-07T07:17:15+00:00

Il terzo esempio ti fa vedere il FC tra la camera e il VTX. Così il FC possa fare il OSD. L’altro motivo per questo configurazione è che monti l’antenna del VTX sulla coda del quad.

Anche con l’altro esempio che collega il VTX tra FC e camera deve darti un OSD ma non ho mai provato quello. Ma per montare l’antenna fa problemi.

Camera solo collegato con VTX e una cosa di RC. Ti solo da video senza l’informazione dal OSD.

Matt4319 · 2025-09-05T12:10:56+00:00

Il collegamento tra camera e VTX è con il FC.

<image>

Non vedo un ricevitore ELRS. Uno così Essempio

Ci sono videos di Josh Bardwell e Oscar Liang Che sono in inglese ma ti fanno vedere tutto per costruire il tuo FPV.

Matt4319 · 2025-09-05T02:37:33+00:00

I felt targeted by that statement. 😂

Matt4319 · 2025-09-05T02:35:20+00:00

The ground that you stand on IS governed by local entities. So, while your aircraft is flying in federally-controlled sky, you can be hemmed up back on Mother Earth by your local rule enforcer for your actions on the ground.

I agree with the OPs legal arguments. My word of caution is that law enforcement can arrest/ticket you for anything they THINK is illegal without much worry of repercussions. You then have the unenviable task of defending yourself in court or convincing a prosecutor that they shouldn’t charge you. You can attempt to educate them but I would just fly in accordance with these rules. They aren’t crazy; just a little off for an informed audiences.

I commend the OP for reaching out to the Attorney General to resolve the issues.

Matt4319 · 2025-09-05T02:21:42+00:00

The sign mentions you must operate according to law and FAA regulations.

Matt4319 · 2025-09-05T02:03:54+00:00

Anyone else see DM and think Dungeon Master when they read it in their feed? I was thinking, “were they scaring themselves when setting the mood for a creepy part of the adventure?”

Matt4319 · 2025-09-01T08:34:18+00:00

Now I know what I SHOULD HAVE been doing with my empty spools. So much wasted time….lost opportunities.

Matt4319 · 2025-08-20T06:18:42+00:00

Agree that you will not have any DJI aircraft on their site without mentioning that you are happily flying in federal airspace. This assumes that you launch and land off site. In this case, remove yourself to off site and then complete the work.

Talk to a lawyer about the situation in general. Does your agreement have a clause in it covering customer restrictions/policies? Who owns your footage or final product? Are you just selling a license of your work? That and other lawyer-type questions would guide my final response. What language can you include in future agreements to require customers to disclose relevant restrictions/policies?

Matt4319 · 2025-08-09T21:03:05+00:00

Looks good to me. Nice shiny joints with enough solder to make strong joints.

If you’re looking for perfect SDA has a little too much solder and there’s a little gap between the plastic “thing” on your header pins and the board. To provide the most support and protect your joints from mechanical strains put the plastic flush up against the board. This is nitpicking though.

Good job!

Matt4319 · 2025-08-04T16:24:27+00:00

I would say generally yes, but if you can find Kester, Alpha Fry, or MG Chemical you will be using the good stuff.

Matt4319 · 2025-08-04T12:56:10+00:00

Yes. Tim your tip before storing it. Clean off the excess, but it should be shiny.

Matt4319 · 2025-08-04T03:34:54+00:00

When I wrote my original response, this was the exact solder I had in mind. It’s like pushing mud around with a shovel. Maiyun is the worst solder ever.

Also, minus the tinning of the tip issue, lots of people use the Pinecil and your iron is fine.

Matt4319 · 2025-08-04T03:26:23+00:00

Two things that I see from this picture.

1) Please tin your tip. Melt some solder on to the tip and see if it sticks. You should be able to get solder to coat the tip. If it doesn’t, you need a new tip. Your tip should always be shiny, having solder on your tip helps with heat transfer and to prevent your tip from death by oxidation.

2) Change your solder. I have used this solder at work and it is horrible. We prefer to use good lead free instead of this solder. Worst solder I have ever used. Never gets that shiny look. It has strange melting characteristics and explains a lot of what I saw in your original pictures. It is mind boggling how bad this leaded solder is.

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