This is how I got it setup:
I've just done bench testing so far to make sure it works. Going out to do a ground test with it this weekend.
Any questions or comments.......post them in the comments section :-]
My collection of projects, ideas, and other stuff to help progress the great hobby of RC flying.
Friday, October 7, 2011
Chainlink UHF on DX6i
I Picked up a Chainlink UHF system and until I get a 9ch radio I'm going to be using it on my Spectrum DX6i radio.
This is how I got it setup:
I used a patch of Velcro to attach it to the back of the radio under the carry handle.
The DX6i only has 6 volts worth of internal batteries so I used some more Velcro to attach a 3 cell lipo to the back of the battery cover.
Here is my custom connector, and a diagram of how to wire it up.
I added a little latch to the bottom to keep the battery cover from sliding off.
I've just done bench testing so far to make sure it works. Going out to do a ground test with it this weekend.
Any questions or comments.......post them in the comments section :-]
This is how I got it setup:
I've just done bench testing so far to make sure it works. Going out to do a ground test with it this weekend.
Any questions or comments.......post them in the comments section :-]
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Best Yet!
Well it only took me 3 weeks and 3 different video editing programs to do it, but here it is! My latest (and best so far imo) FPV video.
It's not perfect...but I'm pleased with the way it turned out. When I was flying around shooting the video I was being very conservative with how far and where I flew. It was still flying on 2.4ghz and I ran into a little fuzziness in places with the video. But it was fun, and on the last flight we were lucky enough to have a train pass by. (it's weird how the air gets all turbulent above a moving train)
It's not perfect...but I'm pleased with the way it turned out. When I was flying around shooting the video I was being very conservative with how far and where I flew. It was still flying on 2.4ghz and I ran into a little fuzziness in places with the video. But it was fun, and on the last flight we were lucky enough to have a train pass by. (it's weird how the air gets all turbulent above a moving train)
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Sod Farm FPVing
I had a great time flying out at the sod farm last Saturday! Flew some combat, flew my 3d plane....but coolest of all!....I flew the FPV Grim!
Friday, August 26, 2011
Monday, August 8, 2011
New antenna for Hobby King's Orange 9CH RX
On the first day I got my HK 9ch Orange RX before I even tried it out I started thinking, 'how can I make this better?'
My end goal is to get the best range I can with this (until I can afford a UHF system) so I figured that it could use a better antenna.
So first things first, I popped open the case to see how the little coax wire antenna was connected to the board.
I used a strait blade screwdriver and carefully unlatched the little clips on both sides of the case.
Now I could see that it uses a little UFL connector as it's connection. This is great because that means we can plug and play almost any 2.4ghz antenna we want into this RX.
I already had an antenna siting around (the one that came off my DX6i) and a little cable with a UFL connector on it. I just soldered the two cables together, attached the connector, and snapped the case back together. Please note!! You need to be very careful when you remove the current antenna and snap the new one on. Pull or pry the old connector strait up and use a flat surface (pencil eraser or something like it) to push the new connector strait down into place. Make sure you don't damage the connector or any of the other components on the board.
Now please note that I haven't even tried this RX out yet, or range tested it. It might work better, or it might be worse...we will see after I test it. However I'm pretty sure that the little black antenna will preform better than a chunk of coax with the braiding stripped off. I will try to get my findings posted ASAP.
As always, don't try this if your not comfortable doing it. I can't/will not be responsible for any damages or loss of limb if you attempt this mod. If you have any questions just post them in the comments and I will try to reply to them in a timely manner. :-]
UPDATE!! 8/11/11
I range tested this on my FPV Grim Reaper wing last night. It was solid out to a little over 5100 feet....so around a mile. I started getting glitches at about 5350 and it was totaly gone around 5500feet. However, I only have one satellite receiver on it right now, it was strapped to the top of my buddy's car (so it was only 5.5feet off the ground), and it wasn't a direct line of sight. So if I was flying it might have gotten better range. I was a little disappointed though. I'm using my little wifi booster that is supposedly putting out one watt of power and the transmitting antenna is about 12 feet off the ground. So I expected more. I will have to do more range testing and see what I can get.
My end goal is to get the best range I can with this (until I can afford a UHF system) so I figured that it could use a better antenna.
So first things first, I popped open the case to see how the little coax wire antenna was connected to the board.
I used a strait blade screwdriver and carefully unlatched the little clips on both sides of the case.
Now I could see that it uses a little UFL connector as it's connection. This is great because that means we can plug and play almost any 2.4ghz antenna we want into this RX.
All we need is one of these: (these can be found at Sparkfun or at Mouser.com part # RN-UFL-SMA6)
They come in both regular and reverse polarity SMA. (make sure you check what type of connector your antenna has before you order!)
and one of these: (you can find 2.4ghz antennas everywhere online....Google it, or start with Sparkfun.com)
I already had an antenna siting around (the one that came off my DX6i) and a little cable with a UFL connector on it. I just soldered the two cables together, attached the connector, and snapped the case back together. Please note!! You need to be very careful when you remove the current antenna and snap the new one on. Pull or pry the old connector strait up and use a flat surface (pencil eraser or something like it) to push the new connector strait down into place. Make sure you don't damage the connector or any of the other components on the board.
As always, don't try this if your not comfortable doing it. I can't/will not be responsible for any damages or loss of limb if you attempt this mod. If you have any questions just post them in the comments and I will try to reply to them in a timely manner. :-]
UPDATE!! 8/11/11
I range tested this on my FPV Grim Reaper wing last night. It was solid out to a little over 5100 feet....so around a mile. I started getting glitches at about 5350 and it was totaly gone around 5500feet. However, I only have one satellite receiver on it right now, it was strapped to the top of my buddy's car (so it was only 5.5feet off the ground), and it wasn't a direct line of sight. So if I was flying it might have gotten better range. I was a little disappointed though. I'm using my little wifi booster that is supposedly putting out one watt of power and the transmitting antenna is about 12 feet off the ground. So I expected more. I will have to do more range testing and see what I can get.
Monday, August 1, 2011
Climb every mountain! Retrieve every wing!
Well one thing that will make FPV flying not very fun is having to hike a mile or so up a steep mountainside to retrieve your plane.......witch is exactly what I had to do.
It was a 2 mile hike up and back to get it with almost 1000 feet in elevation gain/loss.
I don't know for sure if it was a loss of the controol link that made it go down or if it was the ESC completely failing. I haven't had time to diagnose the problem yet, but I will soon.
In the mean time, lesson learned, make sure your FPV plane can handle steep climbs/being far away before trying to go flying around the mountain tops.
A special thanks goes out to my friend Wally and his Son Zach for making the long hard hike bearable.
It was a 2 mile hike up and back to get it with almost 1000 feet in elevation gain/loss.
I don't know for sure if it was a loss of the controol link that made it go down or if it was the ESC completely failing. I haven't had time to diagnose the problem yet, but I will soon.
In the mean time, lesson learned, make sure your FPV plane can handle steep climbs/being far away before trying to go flying around the mountain tops.
A special thanks goes out to my friend Wally and his Son Zach for making the long hard hike bearable.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
The Grim FPV (updated)
It took foever, but I finely got some pictures of my Grim FPV wing. So here they are!, along with an update of the equipment. (sorry for the fish eye look, I took most of the picks with the my gopro)
An overall view of the wing.
A front side view, the GoPro fits in the little black bracket.
(I working on a mount to have the GoPro in it's official case so it will be more protected)
The Rembizi OSD, AV-batt and main batt.
(I had 2x2200mah batts, but it flew to heavy)
I'm going to get a 9ch orange RX another satellite receiver to replace the 6ch, then see how far I can go.
It's running Jeti Advance 40 plus ESC with the C3530 1400kv motor with a 9x3.8 prop.
(the danger sticker is just for fun:-)
1.28Ghz Video TX
Video TX Antenna (inverted V)
The bottom side with my custom decal :-]
A better view.
For the ground station I use my laptop/easycap for the display, and then have the following for my control TX and video RX :
My tripod with a 2.4Ghz omni-directional 6db antenna on top.
My 1 watt 2.4Ghz amp. I hook this up to my modded DX6i.
1.28Ghz Video RX
1.28Ghz patch video RX antenna.
(going to upgrade to a yagi)
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