FLying by FPV

[Yeek]

Hi DAniel

Hi Daniel!

Welcome back to the hobby!

Yeek

[iouxin]

how much is 2.4G TX?

[Daniel Wee]

Hi Yeek! Good to see you again - yeah I'm back but this time flying planes and concentrating on FPV. We should talk as I am starting to build the electronics/avionics for this project.

Asa for the 2.4GHz Tx/Rx - it really depends on the model and where you're getting it from. There is a shop at SLT that sells a set for around S$95 and the shopkeeper claims the power is 1W but I've not verified this. Sometimes the shopkeepers are not very honest and this particular one didn't strike me as an exception.

Alternatively you can buy the modules from overseas and again the price range varies widely. (Incidentally Yeek, that module you have is called the Airwave module and I found a place where it is being sold at around 1/7 of the price of that HK site!)

You should also note that proper use of 2.4GHz equipment requires some extra understanding. You can't just hook it up with regular coax wire etc. Many factors involved in getting it to work right.

Daniel

[etman]

Guys I know this is three years ago. Was the FPV a success? Please share your experience.

[Ben33]

Fpv

Hi,
I just started flying FPV for 2 months now and it's a wole new experience of flying i tell you. The view up there is incredible.
If you intend to use 2.4Ghz Radio transmitter or you intend to fly with your buddies whom are on 2.4Ghz, I advise you get 1.2Ghz or 5.8Ghz video gears. If not you will have problem when they turn on their transmitter. It's not competible. I used the LM 1.2Ghz with Patch on the Rx.
You also need a good OSD On screen display with GPS to make it easier. Don't have to worry abt loosing your way up there.

Next you need a Long Range Radio gear if you intend to fly far. I use the Thomas Scherrer 433Mhz now. Learned the hard way and out of radio range. When you lose a FPV it's usually not retrievable.... haha...



Ben

after lurking around some of the overseas forums on FPV ( First Person Video )

i have sort of decided on parts i need..

2.4Ghz Tx/RX Module ( 500mW TX )..
KX131 - CCD Cam
Lipo Batteries
a pair of VR googles...

but first i need a plane.. .. a easystarter would be a good one..any recommendation for this...

[Ben33]

Fpv

I have an EasyStar for the FPV project as it's very stable. You will need an easy plane to fly and take good video. Good plateform is the ground work to successful FPV flight.

I have the Cloud Fly from Jet Hobby doing the FPV conversion too. This one will have the EZ Antenna tracker, EZ OSD, 1W LM TX With clear sky should have a range of more than 5Km. Flying and not able to see you plane really need getting used to. It's like a mission every time I take it out.


Cheers
Ben

2.4GHz TX / RX will not be those commercialise sets...range not far....



i have managed to get a source inthe UK for a long rang module which i have to diy the whole set.

[etman]

I have an EasyStar for the FPV project as it's very stable. You will need an easy plane to fly and take good video. Good plateform is the ground work to successful FPV flight.

I have the Cloud Fly from Jet Hobby doing the FPV conversion too. This one will have the EZ Antenna tracker, EZ OSD, 1W LM TX With clear sky should have a range of more than 5Km. Flying and not able to see you plane really need getting used to. It's like a mission every time I take it out.


Cheers
Ben

Hi Ben,

This is very interesting. I wonder are there more people like you and we can fly together. Do you fly alone or with a spotter?

I notice you use a pan servo, how do you control it, with head tracker? Without pan is it difficult to fly?

Do you use autopilot to return to base in case lost your direction?
Flying without OSD is it possible?

Sorry so many questions.

[Ben33]

Fpv

I have the R2 Head Tracker and have assembled it all working, but not yet put to use. Currently I use my spare ch on my Heli radio to control Pan. I believe it's the pitch adj dial.

I usually fly alone... sad isn't it. As some of the people are against FPV flights.
i don't see a problem. Just fly responsibly. As such Normal RC plane can also be equipped with camera.. true?

I have the Fat Shark goggle and also a 7"LCD screen as back up.

As first time FPV pilot, i think the key is keep it simple and fly light.
If you add too many gears like Autopilot and stuff, your plane will weigh like a brick... haha. But OSD is really useful. wont get lost with it as it tells you your home direction, Batt Volt, amp drawn, Height and Dist from you etc.

Hope it answers your question.


Ben

[Ben33]

Fpv

Hi Daniel Wee,
I heard so much about you from foreign FPV community,
Was really keen on the Dragon LRS. Do you sell direct? Where do you
usually fly. Would like to talk to you sometime. You make Singapore Proud!!!




Regards,
Benny

ele, keep us updated. I'm working on the avionics for FPV - basically the GPS, artificial horizon, OSD, and stuff. Eventually I'm thinking of trying FPV out. I will be building my own microcontroller stuff and writing my own code.

Currently I'm working on the maths for the Kalman filter required to provide an artificial horizon from my 5DOF IMU unit. I have most of the microcontroller parts and will be working on the OSD in parallel.

As for the camera panning, you can slave that to one of the unused controls if you have them on your TX.

I'd be happy to help you out if you're interested.

Daniel

[etman]

Hi Benny,

I'm shopping for video TX/RX from overseas website.

I looked at IDA website, it seems all 900 mhz equipment are banned because of interference with GSM phone networks.

http://www.ida.gov.sg/Policies%20and%20Regulation/20060424105742.aspx

However this TX/RX got 4 channels, only 910 is within the banned freq range, but the other 3 freq is not.

http://www.rangevideo.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=35_21&products_id=24

What is your experience, does customs confiscate all 900 mhz equipment?
Or better stick to 1.2 GHz?

[Ben33]

900MHz

Usually it will get through without a problem as it is declared as toys usually.
For Video TX and RX usually the long range guys are on 900 and 1200. Don't know why but it usually got something to do with the equipments available like the patch antennas and the dirversity equipment etc...

i have put together a neat little flight box with 7"LCD screen, Goggle, VRx. Sandisk recorder, Batt, wiring etc... Neat and tidy and won't miss out anything. I wish I have FPV buddies to fly with but for now I am alone.
I recorded a 1500m dist, 300m altitude, 15 mins flight last week during sun rise... Beautiful!!!!

Ben

[temannis]

Usually it will get through without a problem as it is declared as toys usually.
For Video TX and RX usually the long range guys are on 900 and 1200. Don't know why but it usually got something to do with the equipments available like the patch antennas and the dirversity equipment etc...

i have put together a neat little flight box with 7"LCD screen, Goggle, VRx. Sandisk recorder, Batt, wiring etc... Neat and tidy and won't miss out anything. I wish I have FPV buddies to fly with but for now I am alone.
I recorded a 1500m dist, 300m altitude, 15 mins flight last week during sun rise... Beautiful!!!!

Ben

Wow, this is very nice! I am in to FPV as well. Bought a 1.5Ghz gear from SLT, it claim to have a output power of 1w, but always hit by interference from 100meter away. Had DIY a patch antenna from RC-Cam website and it seems to reduce the interference abit. Not sure where the problems lie.

Currently, I am testing the setup with a nitro heli, ultimately it will be ported to a 40 size electric trainer aircraft. I had tried flying with goggle before but the experience is really ball dropping, so i revert to recording the video to a laptop rather then "live" viewing. Where do you usually fly? Hope to learn more from you.

[romihensem]

hmmm

I have an EasyStar for the FPV project as it's very stable. You will need an easy plane to fly and take good video. Good plateform is the ground work to successful FPV flight.

I have the Cloud Fly from Jet Hobby doing the FPV conversion too. This one will have the EZ Antenna tracker, EZ OSD, 1W LM TX With clear sky should have a range of more than 5Km. Flying and not able to see you plane really need getting used to. It's like a mission every time I take it out.


Cheers
Ben

bro dont forget to tell me when is the nest mission ya... miss flying with u

[Ben33]

Where have you been!!

Bro...
Have not been flying with you for 2 weeks now.... Where have you been..
ATTACK!!!!



Ben

bro dont forget to tell me when is the nest mission ya... miss flying with u

[PoNkY]

hi ben can you explain me what i need to fly FPV like you and how much the cost?and where to buy in singapore?