My RC glider now has wirless video... With a 2 mile range

[slodave]

Originally Posted by Souk

Impressive, Dave! The screen overlay is damn cool. I need something like that for my onboard camera for the track....

I think this is possible. There are a lot of parameters that can be displayed.The company also makes a version for cars/boats. Since it's R/C, the equipment doesn't weigh much!

[MotoSook]

I'll definitely look into it....it might be a cool project for one of the kids to act as project lead (I'll get free engineering )

[berettafan]

A/P is the coolest aspect of the rc plane hobby IMO. so much fun.

coupla pics from a couple years ago with my telemaster.

[slodave]

Progress on the telemetry system. Still a ways to go though. A minor random servo glitch, GPS loses signal once or twice. I think it has a bit to do with so many antennas so close to each other. Although I did have everything working on my couch for about 1.5 hours. I still have issues with the video breaking up, but after much reading, the two antennas that I am using are not adequate.



The first minute or so is me trying to launch the glider, but after a small human glitch, aborted and had to jump over the winch gear as the line pulled me forward...

[rammstein]

Where is the closest nudist camp?

[crustychief]

Very cool video system! Have you thought about making the jump to 2.4GHz for the radio system? It would eliminate any servo glitching and interference issues. I am getting a 2.4 this week because I lost my TF Cessna to interference (shot down by a guy at a near-to-my-club schoolyard).



View Larger Map

the runway is at the lower left corner and the school is off-center top about 200 feet higher than the field. my plane was a little less than between the two but his radio had a line of sight advantage.

[slodave]

Not so sure 2.4 will help. The video system is 900 MHz, flight data is on 2.4 GHz, GPS at 5Hz, radio gear at 72 MHz, the video camera although wired, also bleeds on a freq., though I don't know what it it is off the top of my head. I already had a problem running the video and data at 900 MHz.

There are some reports of 2.4 issues, even though they are supposed to lock onto a specific freq. Although there are a few guys at the field with 2.4 radio gear and I have yet to see any interference. I will have to set the data recorder to trap servo info and see if I am truly getting any glitches.

[slodave]

Originally Posted by crustychief

Very cool video system! Have you thought about making the jump to 2.4GHz for the radio system? It would eliminate any servo glitching and interference issues. I am getting a 2.4 this week because I lost my TF Cessna to interference (shot down by a guy at a near-to-my-club schoolyard).

the runway is at the lower left corner and the school is off-center top about 200 feet higher than the field. my plane was a little less than between the two but his radio had a line of sight advantage.

If you were at a designated flying field and the other guy was not, I think he owes you a new plane. He should not have been flying at the school.

I saw your plane pic (aftermath). I hope you'll be retiring the servos! I totaled a glider a number of years ago - I was hit by another guy at our field that turned his radio on without checking. I sent the receiver back to HiTec and for a nominal fee, they sent me a new one. The servos no serve for spare parts - mostly for the connectors.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

That is seriously awesome. Nice work - RC is another hobby I've always found fascinating but know next to nothing about...

[crustychief]

All the radio gear / servos involved except one, have been shipped to Horizon for evaluation and repairs if needed. I learned the hard lesson about reusing crash servos ( elevator lockout ) . My current fleet is grounded pending my 2.4 purchase. Most of the problems with 2.4 are not running a big enough battery for them. I do have the parkzone F4U corsair that is on 2.4, so I can still fly. Any time you venture down to San Diego send me a P.M and I will let you into our field.
My squadron. Minus the Cessna. and add a space walker.

[slodave]

I've started on the video Rx antenna.

Time to turn this..


into this...

Thanks to http://www.rc-cam.com/ for the image

Except mine has to be bigger! Well, it's dictated by frequency. Photo paper had to be used to print the larger template

I have to find a PCB type SMA connector tomorrow and have to fashion some sort of mount to hold the antenna and the Rx. If this all works, I'm hoping for about an 8DBi gain. I still need to get the courage up to build an antenna for the Tx. I only have one at the moment and don't want to fry it.

I was also able to cut and create new lighter connectors for all the video/audio/pwr cables.

[mikester]

Originally Posted by crustychief

All the radio gear / servos involved except one, have been shipped to Horizon for evaluation and repairs if needed. I learned the hard lesson about reusing crash servos ( elevator lockout ) . My current fleet is grounded pending my 2.4 purchase. Most of the problems with 2.4 are not running a big enough battery for them. I do have the parkzone F4U corsair that is on 2.4, so I can still fly. Any time you venture down to San Diego send me a P.M and I will let you into our field.
My squadron. Minus the Cessna. and add a space walker.

I have more airplanes than you I think.

[slodave]

Originally Posted by crustychief

All the radio gear / servos involved except one, have been shipped to Horizon for evaluation and repairs if needed. I learned the hard lesson about reusing crash servos ( elevator lockout ) . My current fleet is grounded pending my 2.4 purchase. Most of the problems with 2.4 are not running a big enough battery for them. I do have the parkzone F4U corsair that is on 2.4, so I can still fly. Any time you venture down to San Diego send me a P.M and I will let you into our field.
My squadron. Minus the Cessna. and add a space walker.

Cool fleet! I hope the radio gear checks out. I was going to get into power planes, but really enjoy the silent flight and challenge of finding thermals and enjoy being able to fly for 1+ hours at a time.

My 2.4 video Tx needs between 4.3 and 6.1V. Anything else and it shuts off. I have a 4 cell NiMh pack 2700 mAh, that powers 3 servos. the radio Rx, the video camera and Tx. I had recently built a 5 cell that was going to use a BEC, but I shorted it out and nearly caught fire to my couch. I was having issues with that set anyway. Li-Po powers the video Tx and telemetry gear. I would probably have to switch over to Li-Po if I went 2.4 on the radio.

I will look you up the next time I get down to SD.

[slodave]

Antenna complete and works! At least inside at close range. I have to build a support bracket for both the receiver and antenna. I also extended the Tx antenna. I still need to make a proper dipole and mount the Tx vertically.

Looking down. Receiver attached and a tight fit.


Front


New Tx antenna attached, old is lying next to it.


Cost: $15.34 - I already had the copper (donated by a roofing contractor).

Is it Saturday yet?

P.S. Thanks Jeff!

[cl8ton]

Originally Posted by Porsche-O-Phile

RC is another hobby I've always found fascinating but know next to nothing about...

Me too…maybe when life slows down a bit

Dave you posted a vid of a plane flying around in fireworks (Germany?) back in middle/early July.

What kind of telemetry/avionics did that plane have on it?
I was seeing Directional Heading/Air Speed/Altitude?

[slodave]

Originally Posted by cl8ton

Me too…maybe when life slows down a bit

Dave you posted a vid of a plane flying around in fireworks (Germany?) back in middle/early July.

What kind of telemetry/avionics did that plane have on it?
I was seeing Directional Heading/Air Speed/Altitude?

The video was from the U.S., July 4th. I'm not sure what system he is using. There are a number these days and a bunch of home builds as well.

[cl8ton]

Originally Posted by slodave

The video was from the U.S., July 4th. I'm not sure what system he is using.

Thanks! If you ever come to Visalia to fly, PM me, I would love to drive up to watch and learn!
I’m < 29 miles away

[slodave]

Originally Posted by cl8ton

Thanks! If you ever come to Visalia to fly, PM me, I would love to drive up and watch and learn!
I’m < 29 miles away

I used to fly at a contest in Visalia. I couldn't really compete, as the top contenders had newer gliders with newer technology, making them much lighter. After I am finally finished with this project, I need to finish two wing tips for this glider and then start a new one. The new glider will (should) be contest worthy. There is a great field in Visalia.

[slodave]

Successful day with the new antenna! The first flight was about 5 minutes long, the second, about 30 minutes. I lost the nice lady that gave me altitude readouts, but I'm sure I'll find her again. I managed to hit about 1000' on the second flight and the reception was still good. There were a few times on the second flight that the reception momentarily broke up, but I have a feeling that was because I was at the edges of the Rx patch antennas range. It is directional after all. That should be solved when I make the stand for the receiver/antenna this week.



The a, b and c in on the screen are waypoints. 'a' is the theater at the college, 'b' is what we call the forest and 'c' is the baseball field at the college.

I may have caught a flying bird and some of the other gliders in the second video. I still need to transfer that to my laptop and edit. I know my glider was attacked by a small falcon at one point!

[cl8ton]

That was pretty dam cool Dave!
The visual telemetry was much better than the July 4’th vid you posted, what was all the tones about? (stall warning?)