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

[slodave]

Finally! This has been an ongoing project for about the last four years. I have blown two transmitters so far and I didn't even get any video flight time. I shelved the video when I had to be responsible and pay bills .

The FedEx delivery showed up at my door this morning and my new (third) transmitter is here! I dug out all the pieces and spent the afternoon testing and setting things up. The biggest concern is how all the components would work with each other in close proximity. The video is 900 MHz, the telemetry down link is 900 MHz, the radio receiver is 72 MHz and the GPS is at 5Hz. I have three antennas now. Everything seems to function - whew!

Me and my glider...


The new temporary video setup. If all works, I plan on getting a smaller camera and will build an enclosure for everything.





The heart of it all. The receiver for the servos, is mounted in the ballast compartment under the wing.


Looks like I may be without GPS this weekend. If it's not one thing going wrong, it's another....

[trekkor]

Very, very cool!

I had a r/c glider when I was in HS.

I still have it and all the radio gear, too.

Used to fly it all the time. I'd fly until it was broken from crashing. Repair and repeat.

I look forward to seeing the video.


KT

[slodave]

Looks like the weather will be nice. Hopefully, thermals will show up. I'll be a bit handicapped without GPS for altitude readings, but hopefully the backup altitude indicator will work. I also don't expect to hit 3800' this time of year.

I am frustrated. A new GPS unit will run $150.- Mine is a first gen and I think the latest software update made it obsolete. I remember that the tech guy said that I might have issues with it with a sw patch I installed last spring - it worked. I updated the sw a couple of nights again. Oh and they are back ordered until the end of January with the new GPS units.

I am looking forward to any video myself!
Video won't have any sound, imagine wind noises...

Here's the screen grab from last spring.

The artificial horizon was not working, but now does.

[HardDrive]

You sir, are a geek.

Even my robot thinks so.

[trekkor]

How do you launch? Some sort of power wench?

I used to toss mine off the cliffs at Sunset State Beach in southern Santa Cruz County.
They had a glider port at the State Park.


KT

[slodave]

Originally Posted by HardDrive

You sir, are a geek.

Even my robot thinks so.

Will I still be a geek after I install the modified hellfire missiles under the wings?

Cool robot.

[slodave]

Originally Posted by trekkor

How do you launch? Some sort of power wench?

I used to toss mine off the cliffs at Sunset State Beach in southern Santa Cruz County.
They had a glider port at the State Park.


KT

Wenches aren't required, but a good winch and a long field will get the glider up there. 12V marine battery and a starter motor with spool attached to a nice steel frame.

[id10t]

Can you post some details about your camera,etc? I need a long run for some observation, adn I have a USB extender that is supposed to work up to 197 feet, but it ain't working...

[URY914]

Do you have a nudist resort near by?

[ruf-porsche]

Originally Posted by slodave

Will I still be a geek after I install the modified hellfire missiles under the wings?

Cool robot.

No you will be a terrorist and the men in the black helicopter will be hovering over your home.

[crustychief]

Nice glider! I put a modified x10 camera on a RC airplane it was pretty cool to check out the campsite at the desert. tried putting it on the helicopter but the vibration seemed to play havoc with the video feed. You could fly it here in La Jolla off the Sunset Cliffs glider port and catch video of Blacks Beach!

[SLO-BOB]

Sweet! My son and I dabble in cheapy RC planes. Nowhere near your level but it's still fun. As Trekkor said -build, crash, rebuild, repeat.

Post some video!

[vash]

i was dumb...very dumb.

i dabbled in RC planes during college. i skipped the trainer plane, and built a slope racer. a TALON. tiny, fast, and so easy to crash. i destroyed it in seconds. i rebuilt it and hung it on the wall. i should go and toss if off mt TAM again. just let it go.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by URY914

Do you have a nudist resort near by?

Or a hot neighbor that likes to sunbathe nude?

[ruf-porsche]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

Or a hot neighbor that likes to sunbathe nude?

Don't need a R/C plane for that, just a tall ladder.

[slodave]

Originally Posted by id10t

Can you post some details about your camera,etc? I need a long run for some observation, adn I have a USB extender that is supposed to work up to 197 feet, but it ain't working...

Here's a link to the online store where I get my stuff:
http://www.supercircuits.com/

Here's the link for my stuff:
http://www.supercircuits.com/Wireless-Devices/Video-Links/AVX900S9-V
This setup requires a HAM technician license to legally operate. I'm technically my own mini T.V. station now

[slodave]

Originally Posted by ruf-porsche

No you will be a terrorist and the men in the black helicopter will be hovering over your home.

Then I should paint my glider black as well and I can spy on them, spying on me.

[slodave]

Originally Posted by URY914

Do you have a nudist resort near by?

No resort, but if this version 2 works out, v3 will have the ultra HD with a major tele lens Plenty of backyard pools!

[slodave]

Originally Posted by vash

i was dumb...very dumb.

i dabbled in RC planes during college. i skipped the trainer plane, and built a slope racer. a TALON. tiny, fast, and so easy to crash. i destroyed it in seconds. i rebuilt it and hung it on the wall. i should go and toss if off mt TAM again. just let it go.

I started with gliders in order to move up to ducted fan (at the time) jets. I have been messing with R/C/ cars and boats most of my life was comfortable with driving/flying something towards me - controls are backwards.

I enjoy soaring so much, that I never bought that ducted fan jet.

My first two gliders are no longer around and my current as been rebuilt a couple of times. I never repainted the nose after the last major crash.

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by URY914

Do you have a nudist resort near by?

Someone had to ask.

I think if you ever saw much of that clientele, you'd fly your plane away. Dave, if you ever get to Monaco, be sure to take your glider! You'll be rich.