Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Kendric Eugene Oatis on January 21, 2010 at 10:10pm

try this link http://www.endurance-rc.com/pctx.html

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Permalink Reply by Matt V on January 22, 2010 at 10:22pm

Vagelis,

Automatik has done some work in this area. Maybe you can get more info from him.

As it's early going for you, I would advise going with a standard system designed for model aircraft. You wont have to re-invent the wheel. My assumption is that you are new to uav's and model aircraft in general? If so, I believe it is more important to understand the airframe, power system, and control surfaces before delving into the world of alternative control methods. Hobby King has a very basic 2.4Ghz 6 channel system for $32 (plus shipping) which includes TX and RX. It doesn't get much cheaper than that.

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Permalink Reply by Vagelis on January 25, 2010 at 7:38am

Thanks for your reply's!
I think i will go with the standard radio control systems...The other way seems to be too complicate to start with..
I am surprised how cheep a 6 channel rc has become!
Also another question I have seen that a 2,4 Futaba 6channel rc costs about 500usd is there a so big difference in the performance(range...etc) to justify the difference in the price, in comparison with a 32usd + servos of a no name brand?

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ModeratorPermalink Reply by Morli on January 25, 2010 at 8:05am

Hi Vagelis,
yes there will be quality and some performance difference between premium brands like futaba ( even futaba has some cheaper models) and hobby king model but initially this would suffice for you to understand the remote control and technology involved. If you can spare some more dollars then you can go for Spectrum brand models too as they are very good quality too and cheaper than Futaba/JR. In RC world , good RC is considered as long term investment as you need one good radio to control all your models( you may or may not need additional receivers depending on your choice but most do). Good luck

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ModeratorPermalink Reply by Sgt Ric on January 25, 2010 at 10:40am

I cannot imagine spending the time and money building your autopilot and camera setup and then trusting your aircraft and electronics to a $ 32 radio!

Your battery should cost more than that!

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ModeratorPermalink Reply by Morli on January 27, 2010 at 12:02pm

Yep Ric, 500+$ worth AP electronics !! :( .
@ Vegelis, just to clarify so that you don't misunderstand. The "hobfby king model but initially this would suffice for you to understand the remote control and technology involved " for just learning to fly model planes not for any AP related stuff, it will be too risky to fly any AP with 32 $ RC and is "NO NO" for any AP work at all.

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Permalink Reply by Vagelis on January 27, 2010 at 2:17pm

At the begining i only want to get a camera up in the air!
...the plan is to make a simple f.p.v. UAV no GPS no telemetry autopilot etc...maybe later :D
As for the platform I am thinking to get an E-Sky heli RTF.
With a 2,4Ghz wireless camera wireless like this;
http://cgi.ebay.com/Wireless-4CH-2-4GHz-Mini-Color-Camera-Receiver-...
...any sugestions about the camera?
And another question both camera and RC of the heli work at the 2,4Ghz frequency band, can this cause a problem with interference?

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ModeratorPermalink Reply by Morli on January 27, 2010 at 2:35pm

Vagelis ,
Without GPS, no autopilot etc it won't be UAV , so all u want to do is FPV then fine , a cheap RC will do but there won't be any one to blame.
2.4 video tx and 2.4 RC in the same model/platform is not recommended specially when you are learning to fly. there is every chance that video tx might interfere with RC RX ( some one mentioned that it did not for him). video tx is available in other bands too( 900 mhz, 1.2, 1.3 , 5.8 Ghz) etc and IMHO you should choose different bands for each other( RC and video) , rest is up to you.

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Permalink Reply by Matt V on January 27, 2010 at 10:36pm

You want a camera in the air. That's cool.

I agree with Morli... Don't share the frequency of radio system with the camera. 900 mhz would be the wise video choice if you go 2.4ghz radio system. However, do you really want to transmit video to the ground? Do you just want to record you flights? Answers to those questions will help narrow in on the camera gear.

Here is a thread over at RC groups where the guy put an e-sky with rf video together. Might find that stimulates more food for thought.

A smaller heli like the e-sky with one of those key-chain cams might be fun. We've been talking about those over here.

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