Just a couple newbie "Where to Start" questions.

Hi guys...I appreciate any help here.
I'm trying to get my hands around all the pieces parts.
I'll be strictly using planes, not helicopters.

Is this the latest and greatest hardware?
1. APM 2.0 Purple Full Kit Assembled.
2. Xbee Telemetry Kit...$150.00.
I assume the telemetry kit is only for those who want realtime recording, or to make tweeks in the mission in realtime???

And from a software perspective I need to download:
1. Arduplane Software.
2. Mission Planner software.

Is that all I need???

Is it possible to download the software and do anything with it???
I'd like to play with the software and get a feel for the user interface.
But if it requires the hardware to be connected to do anything useful...I guess I'll have to wait.

Does the mission planner interface with Google Earth?
Is it possible to load a mission and fly the mission using Google Earth as a simulator???

Thanks for your insight!!!

You've come at a wonderful time when everything is seeming to be updated. I have recently just begun as well.

As for download the software and "do anything with it," the wiki is really helpful. With a telemetry module, you can interface to the APM and do a variety of things. I suggest going to this link. It talks about python scripting(in my opinion, this is the do anything) as well as interfacing a joystick(optional additions). There are also many more features.

As far as hardware. APM 2.0 is the latest and greatest, though I have not received my unit yet. And a comparable and recently released (within the last week) telemetry system called the "3DR Radio Telemetry System" I believe is the best, more updated then Xbee, cheaper, and with a lot of support from diydrones.com.

Since both of these items are very new, they are both on back order. So expect a wait- I have been waiting for my APM 2 since march 23, and my order is about 21100. If you check the 3DR (you can see it from the store webpage) twitter, you can see the queue is moving, though some days faster then others. The telemetry model is on back order and an order can't even be placed for the 900 MHz at this time, though it should be available next week.

Replies

Ryan Alexander Bahr April 11, 2012 at 8:18pm

You've come at a wonderful time when everything is seeming to be updated. I have recently just begun as well.

As for download the software and "do anything with it," the wiki is really helpful. With a telemetry module, you can interface to the APM and do a variety of things. I suggest going to this link. It talks about python scripting(in my opinion, this is the do anything) as well as interfacing a joystick(optional additions). There are also many more features.

As far as hardware. APM 2.0 is the latest and greatest, though I have not received my unit yet. And a comparable and recently released (within the last week) telemetry system called the "3DR Radio Telemetry System" I believe is the best, more updated then Xbee, cheaper, and with a lot of support from diydrones.com.

Since both of these items are very new, they are both on back order. So expect a wait- I have been waiting for my APM 2 since march 23, and my order is about 21100. If you check the 3DR (you can see it from the store webpage) twitter, you can see the queue is moving, though some days faster then others. The telemetry model is on back order and an order can't even be placed for the 900 MHz at this time, though it should be available next week.
James Kirkley April 10, 2012 at 12:43pm

To add to my above post...I'm really only interested in autopilot(UAV).

At this point, I'm not interested in any sort of FPV functionality.

This reply was deleted.

Discussions

Just a couple newbie "Where to Start" questions.

Replies

Activity