Would You Fly Near a Cell Tower?

drrags · Jul 23, 2020

I found a cell tower out in the distant desert and thought about deploying the drone, but I thought, if there's ever been an opportunity for electromagnetic interference, this would be the place. After thinking about that for a few minutes I decided to just leave the drone in its case. Secondary was a question of legality - not that there was anyone within 10 miles of me. I'm just wondering if anyone has ever tried it.

Jagerbomb52 · Jul 23, 2020

I have one one block over. Fly by and around it all the time. Never had a problem with cell towers.

Atomic08 · Jul 23, 2020

I have one about 1/4 mile away, never a problem unless......
You don't watch your drone !

(When I had my Typhoon H ! )

KasperCibicom · Jul 24, 2020

I fly close to cellular towers quite frequently doing surveys of the installed equipment.
I've had some issues with our DJO Matrtice 2 drone wich does not like the Microwave dishes depending on their transmission frequency. Never had any issues with the EVO 2 pro nor DJI's Mavic series.

Koala · Jul 25, 2020

Thats not just a cell tower in your photo - those are microwave relays (the flat ones) that could cause issues. Just cell antennas as the others are showing, not so much

butch · Jul 25, 2020

Koala said:
Thats not just a cell tower in your photo - those are microwave relays (the flat ones) that could cause issues. Just cell antennas as the others are showing, not so much

Looks like huge bass drums to me......

Dougiefresh27 · Jul 25, 2020

My big question is which of the devices commonly on theses towers should we stay away from?

Koala · Jul 25, 2020

Dougiefresh27 said:
My big question is which of the devices commonly on theses towers should we stay away from?

The big bass drums emit powerful microwave radiation - they are carrying data and cell calls long distances.

Dougiefresh27 · Jul 25, 2020

Koala said:
The big bass drums emit powerful microwave radiation - they are carrying data and cell calls long distances.

A quick little search shows that microwaves would probably prove deadly for a drone. Good to know.
Thanks!

Jagerbomb52 · Jul 25, 2020

Well I don't agree cell towers are deadly as cell tower inspections are done all the time with drones. Cell towers in the city are as plentiful as a Macdonalds every three blocks or so. If they were so dangerous drones would be dropping like crazy. My old X-Star uses the 900 Mhz channel. So do Cell towers. Both have their own set of protocols and I have never had one single problem flying near them at all.

Dougiefresh27 · Jul 25, 2020

Agustine said:
Well I don't agree cell towers are deadly as cell tower inspections are done all the time with drones. Cell towers in the city are as plentiful as a Macdonalds every three blocks or so. If they were so dangerous drones would be dropping like crazy. My old X-Star uses the 900 Mhz channel. So do Cell towers. Both have their own set of protocols and I have never had one single problem flying near them at all.

I agree, cell towers are fine but the microwave things on some towers can be very bad

Marcle · Jul 26, 2020

Agustine said:
Well I don't agree cell towers are deadly as cell tower inspections are done all the time with drones. Cell towers in the city are as plentiful as a Macdonalds every three blocks or so. If they were so dangerous drones would be dropping like crazy. My old X-Star uses the 900 Mhz channel. So do Cell towers. Both have their own set of protocols and I have never had one single problem flying near them at all.

I have used my X-Star as well close to cell towers. This was a pretty windy day as well but no problems at all flying by the tower