How to change the H520E CE to FCC?

[DroneCalzone]

Hi,
does anyone have any info about how to change the transmitter power from CE to FCC? This thread explores an interesting way that could be hidden in the extended menu: Extended menu

Did anyone try it?

 

[DoomMeister]

The other way is to install the US version of the firmware (using a VPN to fool the servers if using OTA update).

 

[DroneCalzone]

@DoomMeister interesting, I didn't hink of that..! Have you tested it?
I wonder what settings in this menu can be seen in the american H520E's. Can anyone share?

 

[DoomMeister]

@DoomMeister interesting, I didn't hink of that..! Have you tested it?
I wonder what settings in this menu can be seen in the american H520E's. Can anyone share?

I do not have one to test, but the OTA updates are determined by location of IP address when accessing the server. If you use a VPN through your router when you connect to do the update you should be able to select a North American VPN site.

 

[Vaklin]

Is still there a different firmware?
No reason when the copter has a GPS receiver. FCC is where the rules are federal, CE, where the rules are European.

 

[DroneCalzone]

Ok, guys, so just to update... I was told by Yuneec Europe that they don't even do the FCC conversion for european firefighters/police. Instead they recommend using the +5db accessory antenna (it's like 10-15 euros). So I checked the antenna and how it works. I was very impressed. I performed two test flights in good weather (sunny but windy) and in a rural area (only fields and small villages and industrial buildings). While flying at 110m AGL I was able to reach 5,5km without any video glitching (!). I turned back after that, but I could have gone even further, but it would be a one-way trip, as at this point the entire battery goes into reaching the 5 km and going back. So I was not able to reach the max transmission distance, but 5,5km in CE is absolutely enough for me! I recommend these antennas to everyone now.

 

[Pier2162]

5,5 km are absolutely forbidden in Europe...and I think in America too...how can you fly so far respecting Easa rules?

 

[Stephen1988]

The other way is to install the US version of the firmware (using a VPN to fool the servers if using OTA update).

I was going to try this very thing tonight but there is a slight glitch. I connected my phone to Nord vpn and my internet browser now thinks it’s located elsewhere. The issue is when u select personal hotspot and connect to ur phones WiFi it still sends its traffic through the same country I’m located . OTA still takes its updates from this region and that is providing the OTA only relies on ip address when choosing what server to connect to. If there was some way to make the personal hotspot also think it’s signal is coming from a different region i could test the theory. Doing the same with a home WiFi router might give the same results but i don’t fully understand how it all works, I’m guessing the laptop or whatever is connected to the WiFi using a vpn will just show that one device in a different location but all other connection to that router will still run traffic through that country’s provider

 

[DoomMeister]

I would try connecting through home WiFi to the VPN in the USA and disable GPS for the 520e during the attempt.

We need to have someone start saving the firmware for the H520e in the same manner that was used for the H+/H3/H520 so it can be done via SD card. This would alleviate the location issue and allow up/downgrade without connecting OTA.

 

[Enrico Jorysch]

Dear all, your plan won't work! There is no different firmware for the H520-E. There is only one version on the Yuneec server. But the system recognizes where you are flying... whether CE or FCC is permitted. Disabling the GPS in the drone won't help either, as the ST16-E is also connected to GPS.

In Europe, at least, only flying within sight is permitted. You still have to be able to see the orientation of the drone. But every pilot should know what is and isn't permitted in their country.

*** Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version) ***

 

[Stephen1988]

I would try connecting through home WiFi to the VPN in the USA and disable GPS for the 520e during the attempt.

We need to have someone start saving the firmware for the H520e in the same manner that was used for the H+/H3/H520 so it can be done via SD card. This would alleviate the location issue and allow up/downgrade without connecting OTA.

I’m attempting e90 firmware on h520 to load us firmware. The sd card method should work fine. I’m just trying more out of curiosity with OTA to see does the servers connect based on ip address alone.

Dear all, your plan won't work! There is no different firmware for the H520-E. There is only one version on the Yuneec server. But the system recognizes where you are flying... whether CE or FCC is permitted. Disabling the GPS in the drone won't help either, as the ST16-E is also connected to GPS.

In Europe, at least, only flying within sight is permitted. You still have to be able to see the orientation of the drone. But every pilot should know what is and isn't permitted in their country.

*** Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version) ***

would the same plan work for h520 OTA updates if the drone and controller taught it was located in America. If so it means ip address alone is what’s needed to connect to certain servers

 

[DoomMeister]

Dear all, your plan won't work! There is no different firmware for the H520-E. There is only one version on the Yuneec server. But the system recognizes where you are flying... whether CE or FCC is permitted. Disabling the GPS in the drone won't help either, as the ST16-E is also connected to GPS.

In Europe, at least, only flying within sight is permitted. You still have to be able to see the orientation of the drone. But every pilot should know what is and isn't permitted in their country.

*** Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version) ***

Thanks for that enlightening bit of knowledge!

Since the H520E uses OFDM at 2.4GHz which does not interfere with Weather Radar facilities this should eliminate the process of finding a clear channel that made establishing a video link slow in the H480/H520/H+/H3.

According to a Google search the 2.4GHz WiFi band outdoors in the EU is restricted to 100mW (20dBm) and 1W (30dBm) in the US. Note that 10x the power does not give 10x the distance.