SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/drone-radio-barriers

What can a building between the controller and drone do to the command link?

A barrier can make the command and control link fail or work poorly.

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  1. Block or weaken the link ✔
  2. Strengthen it by reflecting signals
  3. Nothing, since radio passes through walls

Why: Common 2.4 GHz and 5.8 GHz drone links act like line-of-sight radio systems. Buildings and other barriers between the controller and aircraft can interrupt the link.

Huh, didn't know that: The same two frequency bands are widely used by wireless computer networks.

The dad joke
The radio waved at the wall, but the wall would not let the signal through.
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References

Answer: Block or weaken the link. Common 2.4 GHz and 5.8 GHz drone links act like line-of-sight radio systems. Buildings and other barriers between the controller and aircraft can interrupt the link.

  1. FAA Advisory Circular 107-2A, Appendix B.6.1.2 www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Advisory_Circular/AC_107-2A.pdf
    the command and control link between the CS and the small unmanned aircraft will not work properly when barriers are between the CS and the unmanned aircraft.
    Checked 2026-10-09.

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