New to UAV

Hey guys, it's great to meet you all. I'm new to UAV technology. I currently fly RC electric helicopters. 

I'm interested in creating a UAV, and I had a few questions that maybe the community can give me some pointers on. I realize this will be an ongoing project and probably take me several months before i'll be ready to do any sort of flight. I'm working as an IT for the USCG, so I have some computer and electrical background. I've been looking over the source files and nothing seems that complicated, but I would probably go with mostly a default setup until I can understand the software programming better.

First, I wanted to ask what the benefits are to using the ardu board mega or any of them over other boards such as paparazzi?

Second, I am decent at flying a plane, and i was wondering if anyone could suggest a good plane for the job. I would like something that will be able to have long flight times. I was looking at the new predtor mq9 reaper at nitroplanes.com, but have read some reviews that said it is hard to control and has to stay at a higher speed than most planes. Has anyone successfully set one up to fly using the UAV technology?

I also have read up a lot on all of these different modems. It seems like some are meant for 1km, and others 20km. Is there a particular one which is tested to work with the Ardu platform which can send and recieve information from 20km away? For instance over water?

I have many other questions, but i figure this is a good starting point.

Great to see so many people participating on this website! And I can't wait til the platform will be finished to control Heli's!

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Replies

  • 3D Robotics
    Paparazzi uses the older thermopile sensor technology, and is Linux-only. For IMU-based Open Source autopilots, your choices are ArduPilot Mega and the UAVDevBoard.
  • Also, ive read that using a 2.4ghz modem can interfere with some video systems that are used. Will my 2.4ghz dx6i also be a problem?:(
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