Counting Satellites

[DonnieB]

Just looking for opinions on minimum number of satellites do you personally require to fly using GPS?

 

[Eagle's Eye Video]

About 12-14 and that's on the aircraft... if it's the first time you've flown for a while let the H sit powered up, but motors off for about 15 minutes to download the current GPS almanac, as well.

 

[PatR]

I use a consistent 10 count on both the aircraft and the transmitter. However, if my intent is to fly in Angle mode I’ll often take off with only 8 on each one. As Smart mode and BLOS is never used the above covers 100% of my flights.

 

[FlushVision]

In my neck of the woods I consistently get 16 or more satellites showing for the aircraft and typically get 18 to 20 satellites...occasionally 21. So for me, then, I would consider anything less than 15 satellites as a no-go (I have never got less than 15 satellites so I've never had a no-go because of a lack of satellites seen).

Am I lucky? Is it because I live in a part of the world that 'sees' more satellites? I dunno. All I know is that (for my TH) I never have any problems seeing satellites...My Phantom, on the other hand, is quite another kettle of fish.

 

[AH-1G]

I have flown with 8 but prefer 10 or more.

 

[rdonson]

Where I fly most often its easy to get 14-18 sats on the H and 10-12 on the ST16. If I see less than that then I wait.

I do follow @Eagle's Eye Video recommendations although I also think that compass calibration every week or two is cheap insurance.

 

[DonnieB]

Thanks to all of you who have responded to my question. It does seem that the ST 16 is sometimes slow to aquire satellites. I get a 8 - 9 - 10 -9 -10 -8 - 11 and so on. The bouncing around in the number of satellites just seems strange. by the time I've gone through one battery I'm at 15 - 18 range.

No real issues but trying to prevent trouble while in the air.

Thanks again.

 

[rdonson]

No real issues but trying to prevent trouble while in the air.

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Always a great way to go.