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3D RoboticsPermalink Reply by Chris Anderson on November 27, 2011 at 3:30pm

We (3D Robotics/DIY Drones store) will soon be coming out with a cheaper Xbee alternative that should solve the problem for Europeans who can't use 900.

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Permalink Reply by Pat on November 27, 2011 at 5:57pm

Chris,

What frequency? And how soon?

I am trying to get my hands on a wireless solution in the next 2 weeks, but the 900MHz XBees are almost impossible to source right now. I'm heading down to Antarctica in 3 weeks and will bringing the 3DR Arducopter with me to provide some entertainment and unique aerial photography/video. It would be fantastic to have the wireless command/telemetry capability so I can fully explore the Arducopter's capabilities.

 

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3D RoboticsPermalink Reply by Chris Anderson on November 27, 2011 at 6:11pm

Pat, we haven't announced details and they won't be available in time for your trip, I'm afraid. 

 

Sparkfun does have 900Mhz wire antenna modules available now, however. 

 

Please take pictures of the Arducopter in Antarctica!

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Permalink Reply by Pat on November 27, 2011 at 6:40pm

Chris, thanks for the quick response. In your experience, is there a significantly good reason to use the RPSMA version instead of the wire antenna version? Or to phrase it differently, if I have a choice of not having telemetry at all or having it with 2 wire antenna XBees, which would you choose. I'm assuming that the wire antenna has less gain and range, but if I'm flying in close proximity with the Arducopter, then perhaps the additional range wouldn't matter so much in the short term. Plus, I could always upgrade to the RPSMA in a few months when I get back to the States.

 

I will definitely post some blog messages about my experience with the Arducopter in Antarctica. It just seems like too cool of an opportunity to pass it up. 100 years ago, it was a technical achievement for the premiere explorers to bring tractors and film equipment to the last continent, and now I can bring my very own autonomous aerial vehicle with high definition video to help document my experiences. It is nothing short of amazing!

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3D RoboticsPermalink Reply by Chris Anderson on November 27, 2011 at 6:43pm

I'd go with two wire-antenna ones. They should be fine for copter range.

 

I've been to McMurdo, but never South Pole. Which station are you going to?

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Permalink Reply by Pat on November 27, 2011 at 6:55pm

Wonderful, will proceed withe the wire-antenna varieties.

Yup, I'm going to McMurdo, but we will be venturing out to 5 locations within a 200 km range to deploy in-situ ground ozone instruments. I can't wait!

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Permalink Reply by Nikos Gerarchakis on November 28, 2011 at 7:02am

Thank you Chris

But i think is usefull to think a product  solution with rpsma antennas , or It would be useful to have the infrastructure to upgrade  with  RPSMA antennas , for airplane use

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3D RoboticsPermalink Reply by Chris Anderson on November 28, 2011 at 4:51pm

Nikos: of course our own products will come with a rpsma connector. I was just referring to the Xbees available at Sparkfun now in my response to Pat.

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Permalink Reply by Nikos Gerarchakis on November 29, 2011 at 6:27am

Thank you Chris  :-)

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Permalink Reply by James on November 29, 2011 at 5:30am

Geia sou Nikola,

 

FY marriage "sounds" good for long range, but low baud rate could cause more problems than benefits (19200-max38400 vs xbee900pro 56k). Iam using the standard combination of 900pro prsma for ground and pigy tail for air, with 2km air distance and rock solid transmition (98%). Offcource its not legal in eu, but 50mw i think that doesnt hurt anyone. Also its cheaper.. 

magic happens when you properly ground the ground xbee (near your car) and secure with no vibrations the air side. soon i will try more db duck antennas for both sides and post results 

send me pm if you want to meet sometime and do some drone flights in greece together.

James

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