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Smart Controller Troubleshooting

Smart Controller Troubleshooting

Owned by Nathan Howe
Last updated: Sep 13, 2024
6 min read

Please review the following question carefully. This information is crucial for resolving a PreArm Error if using a Herelink controller. If you encounter this error and do not follow these steps, your aircraft will be unable to arm.

How should I proceed if the Error “PreArm: OpenDroneID: System not available" persists and cannot be cleared on my Herelink Controller?

This has been fixed in WGC 1.6.0. Please update to prevent this issue.

  • Open the WisprGroundControl application and allow parameters to load. If the error “PreArm: OpenDroneID is shown and persist, follow the steps below if the error persists, you will see the PreArm error "System not available."

  • Swipe down from the top of the Herelink screen to see the drop-down menu.

  • Ensure your location Icon is lit up on the drop-down menu (meaning your location is turned on on the RC). If the icon is not lit up bright: quick press the icon to turn your location on.

  • Once you ensure the location is on, press and hold the location icon.

    • Select Mode. A screen with 3 options will show. Select Device only (Use GPS to determine location).

  • Press the back arrow once beside Location mode.

  • Select the Hamburger button (the triple bar ≡) next to location.

  • Scroll down to Date & Time under system and select it.

  • Ensure Automatic date & time is toggled on and select “Select time zone”

  • Scroll through the time zone options and choose the time zone corresponding to your flight location.

  • Press the square icon on the left side of the screen to close out and either swipe thScroll through the time zone options and select the time zone you are flying in.

  • Press the square icon on the left side of the screen to close out and eithee app to the right to close or select clear all above all apps that are open.

  • Reboot your Herelink controller by holding the power button to power down and preessing power off.

  • Turn the controller back on by holding the power button down until you see the Herelink Icon appear and then the home screen. Open up WisprGroundControl. The error should now be resolved.

 

How much battery should the controller have before flight?

We recommend you charge your smart controller to 100% before beginning any flight. This will help prevent mishaps in flight and is the best course of action with safety in mind.

What should you do if your smart controller is not staying charged for long enough in the field?

We suggest buying a portable charger to extend the battery life throughout the day. Below are links to recommendations, but you can purchase any charger that will fit your needs.

What should you do if the LED light on the smart controller is solid/flashing red?

  • This indicates the battery is critically low and the smart controller should be charged before any further use. If you are flying and you see this, you should return to launch immediately. Use of the controller while having a low battery could potentially result in a dangerous flight situation or end with damage to the drone.

  • If the controller runs completely out of battery during a flight, a failsafe is active that returns the drone to its launch position to prevent a fly-away.

Although the failsafe exists in case of a disconnection or a depleted controller battery, the user should not willingly fly with a low battery controller. The drone will RTL at the height set in WISPRGroundControl General Settings if the failsafe activates. Depending on the location of the drone at the time of the failsafe, it could collide with obstacles on the way back to its launch position.

There will also be no way for the user to make any needed positioning adjustments near the target landing zone. Always check your RTL Height in General settings, and be aware of your surroundings to avoid hitting obstacles during any part of the operation.

My smart controller will not connect to my 5GHz network. What should I do?

Always confirm that the SSID you are trying to connect to is a 5GHz band. If your Wi-Fi connection is a 2.4 GHz band it will not appear in the list of SSID’s in the Wi-Fi menu.

  • If the smart controller isn’t allowing you to connect to a 5GHz network, go to your apps menu and tap Herelink Settings. Under the Radio tab, confirm that the country is set to United States. If it is not, change it to United States, reboot the controller, and try to reconnect. Available 5GHz networks should now allow you to connect the smart controller to your choice of network.

Herelink Settings - Radio Tab

  • If the controller displays United States and you still cannot connect, try:

    • Switching to a different country code. (You may pick any)

    • Power the controller off and back on.

    • Change the country back to United States, and your 5GHz SSID should now be visible for connection.

If the controller doesn’t load parameters when opening WISPRGroundControl, what could be wrong?

  • Navigate to Herelink Settings and under Radio, make sure the Pair State reads “Paired”. If not, you can use these steps to pair your smart controller to your drone. The question above contains an image of this screen if you wish to view for visual reference.

    • Remove the two screws attached to the access door on the left side of the drone to gain access to the Pair/Reset button.

    • From the same screen where the paired status is checked, locate the Pair button beneath the Frequency tab.

    • Use a tool with a small, pointed tip to press and hold the Pair/Reset button until LED 2 is flashing green.

    • Once flashing, press the Pair button. LED should turn solid green and the pair state should now read “Paired”.

Access Door of the Ranger Pro & Air Unit Pair/Reset Button

If the smart controller has sustained damage, what should I do?

If the smart controller has been damaged in any way, the controller should be replaced. If you suspect any damage, DO NOT use the controller. This can cause your drone to crash. Always check your smart controller before each flight for any damage. It must be replaced before you fly your drone.

Telemetry data is not displaying properly, or at all during flight.

  • If this occurs during flight, land the drone and move to the next step.

  • Close WISPRGroundControl and reopen the application. This should reset the app, and all data should be properly displayed upon when you reopen.

  • Reboot the drone if closing the application does not work.

After trying to arm the drone with the joysticks, an error reading “Compass calibration running” appears, preventing the drone from arming. What do I do?

Open the Herelink Settings, select the Joystick tab, and make sure that the Y axis has been reversed. If it is not reversed, the controller will try to put the drone into calibration mode instead of arming the drone when pulling the joystick down and to the right. See picture below:

Herelink Settings - Joystick Tab

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