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ModeratorPermalink Reply by Gary Mortimer on October 1, 2009 at 3:20pm

Well it might work but I'm guessing the data rate would drop dramatically at range.

Why not use the Millswood Failsafe and a couple of xtends??

That's all plug and play, I think somebody has integrated it with ArduPilot now.

Is it as a data relay for collars??

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Permalink Reply by Brett on October 1, 2009 at 4:22pm

Hi Gary
thanks for the link to the millswood failsafe I will do some more research .
I plan on flying over 10 thousand acre paddockss in a pre progarmmed grid to record video of the animals with a lat lon then do a visual on a bike based on the gps coordinates. I need long range and it seems that the Usa has limited range modems compaired to Aus. I do have a few XStream-PKG 920 MHz, 9600 baud, industrial, RS-232 modem but they are heavy . I am not sure if I should enjoy flying models and pay a Gyro/ultralifgt to do the flying or put the time and money into the project.

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Permalink Reply by Mike Boland on October 2, 2009 at 12:02pm

Hi Brett,
I wanted to ask, as you are going to analyse the video anyway, why you need long range modems?
Wouldn't the task simply be to carry a camera over the grid and return, then take the footage and analyse it?

We use the XTend OEM modules for the plane and the PKG for the ground station, just be sure the PKG has the right firmware burnt to it and they talk very sweetly.

The distance is not a problem only the reliability of the autopilot. Ardu is not known for it's tolerance of wind, the navigation functions are very basic.

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Permalink Reply by Syed Aftab Rashid on December 10, 2009 at 10:37am

hello

i am using R7G-T7G RF module for my telemetry project with my GPS working at 4800 but i am receiving a lot of noise at the receiver so my data is corrupted Sad

can anyone help me how to minimize the noise

thanks

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Permalink Reply by Dr Mike Black on December 10, 2009 at 12:07pm

Brett,

Possibly you are being slightly optimistic, with teh package you are thinking about. Xtends will def give you the range, but as gary correctly postulated, range will reduce the the datarate dramaticaly.

However, if you run at say 57600, by the time get to 10miles (good antenna not withstanding) you will be on the edge, at 15, you will get dropouts. we have been to 12-14mile 86% reliability.

@ Mike. I have to completely dissagree with you on teh reliability of Ardupilot. We regularly fly for 1-2 hours at greatly extended ranges 8-10 miles out, the wind can be a problem but the latest versions of the firmware take great care of that. the only problems we had at the start was with the antennas, and making sure it was tracking the aircraft, or you can get in serious trouble (we did, lost an aircraft)

due to the fact that we live in england and its ALWAYS windy.....it was one of the first things to tackle...most of the rub was sorting the right GPS....ublox is superb, but at lower cost were getting regular reliable results with the locosys LS20031.

Of course, trying to fly a draggy slow easystar wont work at that distance, you will need to design or purchase somthing with a fairly high (to mission) speed, but able to loiter well. so some thought is required there.

anyway hope this helps,

Doc

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