Hi everyone,
I am new here and I really like the idea of building my own UAV. As an introduction, my name is Ben and I currently work in the IT industry and spend a lot of my time repairing computers, fixing computer networks and building websites. In my spare time I am a recreational pilot and fly light aircraft when I get the chance.
Building a UAV seems like the perfect combination of technology and aviation so I am really looking forward to taking the first steps towards making it happen!
I had a read of the 'Getting Started' section on this website and started doing my own research and I am guessing the first step in building a UAV is getting myself an airframe, I noted that the getting started article suggested using the Hawk Sky and replacing all the electronics, to me having to throw away parts and buy new parts to replace them with seemed like a bit of a waste but I came across a few things that I want to get an opinion on.
Firstly I found this airframe (which I believe is the same as the 'Hawk Sky'):
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=8359
It says that you need your Rx/Tx and your own battery.
So, I looked a bit more and found a well priced Rx/Tx:
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=16239
All I need then would be a battery and a charger. Can somebody point me in the right direction as far as those go? I am after a balance between quality and budget to start with, so while I certainly don't want to fork out hundreds and hundreds on individual components I also don't want to buy cheap cr*p that will break after ten minutes of use.
What I have tried to concentrate on first is getting a working, flying aircraft, partly so I have something to play with while I acquire the rest of the parts to turn it into a UAV. My vision for my UAV would eventually to have it to be able to accept waypoints programmed into via Google Earth or similar and also to have a wireless video stream and eventually an OSD.
So with that in mind can somebody give me some advice to get me going in the right direction and also tell me if the airframe and Rx/Tx I have chosen above would be suitable for what I have planned? I also need help with which battery and charger to get.
I look forward to participating in this awesome community!
Thanks
- Ben
Replies
I just came across this airframe. Can anyone give me some advice on whether or not there would be enough room for electronics inside it?
http://www.fpvhobby.com/107-new-epo-mini-skywalker.html
I am also very confused about batteries, props, motors and ESCs! Which ones would I need from http://www.hobbyking.com to get this thing to fly?
Thanks for your responses Doug and John.
I have since looked at the Turnigy 9x and it looks fantastic but I have one question. If I want to be able to transmit video from a wireless camera at a later stage do you know if there is a decent solution to the fact that the majority of the wireless cameras on the market run at 2.4ghz, which is the same as the Rx/Tx frequency.
I am having a real problem finding a wireless camera that would be suitable for the purpose of transmitting wirelessly.
easystar with a turnigy 9x.
I'm still flying mine a year and a half later or so.
JC
That airframe has very limited interior space. That is why it is not recommended. I think I'd avoid that radio. The popular inexpensive option is typically the Turnigy 9X.
Rhino batteries at hobbycity are cheap and I have had pretty good luck with them.