Another Newbie...

Othereal

New member
Joined
Aug 31, 2025
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Age
80
Location
Sunriver OR
Hello all. I am a definite older (80 yrs) newbie trying my best to pilot a few drones without crashing. I have purchased several cheaper drones in the past, some over 10-15 years ago, including a Pioneer UFO drone with the video screen, an E58 pocket drone, and more recently, an S197 drone, an HS720G (which I registered), and an KF104 Max 2 drone, which I am registering this week, I hope. I just received an HS remote broadcast module to mount on the KF104 because I can't find any info on RID capability for the drone or controller. I have the tablet version of controller for it. If my research is correct, the KF104 is a rebranded AE86, or S810 Pro. It's been impossible to find out rebranding information out there.

After a few crashes, I'm finally able to get some successful fights in, but I'm still learning slowly. I got my TRUST certificate, have B4Ufly (Air Aware) loaded and working, and I fly pretty close. You-tube has been a great help, but I looked for a great while to find a Forum like this where I can actually post questions.

Happy to be here!

Othereal
 
Happy to be here!

Welcome from the Hampton Roads area of Virginia, USA.

It was great to hear you have your TRUST and know enough to register the heavies… My DJI Mini 2 does not have RID so I too mounted a RID Module on my bird…

I can't help you with any information about your drones but you have the right idea, use the internet, and even click the "AI Mode" in the search bar of Google… Sometimes when you go deep, it really digs up interesting stuff… I was really surprised to find out that I fought in the Civil War (our Civil War, in 1865… L 🤣🤣 L . . .)

Since you live in Oregon, there are specific laws and rules for you to follow, please check the link below for all the Rules and Laws that are in effect in your neck of the woods and it also links you to some of the Best Places to Fly in your area… Also, if you travel on vacation, visit friends, and relatives in other parts of the country, check back here so you do not run afoul of the law.


Even if you have flown Drones before, here is some Good Old Fashion Advice…

You paid a lot of money for that Drone, put your phone number on it. If your drone gets lost or stuck in a tree and it finally comes down when you are not around, give the finders an opportunity to contact you so it can be returned.

Now, for the Fun Part, But do not let the excitement of the moment get the best of you. When you are going out to fly, do it slowly and deliberately. Get used to a set procedure and even practice it.

There are so many things I could write but these are the highlights that I feel need mentioning.

Plug in your phone/tablet into your controller; turn on the Controller and DJI Fly App (if it does not start on its own…). On the Drone, open the front legs, then open the back legs, then remove the Gimbal Cover.

The Gimbal is the most delicate item on the Drone and banging or bumping can damage it. I also fastened a short "Remove Before Flight" ribbon to the cover so it's more noticeable and I do not forget to remove it…

Turn on the drone and watch it come to "life." Watching the Gimbal go through its self-check is almost like watching a puppy or kitten opening its eyes for the first time…

Place the drone down (preferably on a Landing Pad) while it finishes its self-test (collecting satellites, etc…).

Check your battery status (Phone, Drone, and Controller), check the Signal Strength, by now the Controller should have reported it updated the Home Point.

Lift off, 6- feet (2-meters) or so, hover a bit, check the controls (move the drone a bit forward, back, left, right, yaw left and right). By now, your Controller will probably report again, Home point Updated.

If you go out in a rush and race thru your start up and take off before the drone has finished it prep, it may update its Home Point over that pond or that old tree you are flying over and in your excitement, you'll fly the drone long past it Low Battery point and when it engages Return to Home and lands in the pond or in a tree; it will be all on you…

Now go have fun, learn to fly the drone by sight before you try to fly it out a distance depending on the video feed, FPV.

I would also advise you to use YouTube and watch a lot of the Videos on flying and setting up the Drone. When it is too dark, too cold, or too wet, you can "fly it vicariously" through YouTube. Also watch some of the Blooper Drone Videos and learn how not to fly your "New Baby."

Fly On and Fly Safe…
 
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Greetings from Birmingham Alabama USA, welcome to the forum! We look forward to hearing from you!
 

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