GPS/GIS Video Survey Drone

Hello DIY Drones!

My name is Neon! This is my first post on your forums and my first step into flying drones!

I work as a wilderness steward in one of my states beautiful forests and I am looking to start building an affordable platform to test the viability of using drones for data-collection: GIS surveying, wilderness trail mapping, recreation site inventorying, search & rescue, and fire monitoring purposes.

This is a test build and hopefully somewhat affordable, as I intend to do this preliminary build out-of-pocket.

Primary applications will be as follows:
1. Video: High-resolution capture and local storage (perhaps live feed FPV if affordable). Most visual data will require med-close range images (10 - 40ft)

2. GPS Tracking


If I can collect sufficient data effectively with a lower-budget test drone, I will propose investments in my district to pursue the concept more aggressively.

I would appreciate any help or advise to get me started! I am currently looking into open source software platforms like ardupilot and fundamentals of drone builds. Anything else will help, looking forward to your responses!

- Neon Black

You need to be a member of diydrones to add comments!

Join diydrones

Email me when people reply –

Activity