the ArduIMU quadcopter project by Jose Julio. what i like about this project is the relative light $$ output and small size since 95% of the flying will be indoors. having been out of the r/c world for quite some time, i need a radio recommendation. how many channels do i need? do i need a computer radio? would an "old school" 4-6chan 72MHz unit work? i also like how jose handles the torque and the lack of need for different rotating props - nice design. i was thinking something in the size of v3 but w/out possibly some of the electronics. i see a couple design changes i would run by you guys but overall, something very close to that unit is exactly what i am looking for.
now, for the newb/tech question - can the unit use a receiver that would come w/ the tx? or do you go a small surface mount type of rx?
i also need to let you know my programming is very rusty, i have done basic and c but it was YEARS ago, so that part will be a learning curve again, but fun nonetheless. is there any way i could get a parts breakdown for the electronics of the project? i understand the motors/esc stuff, just rx, the controller board/s and also the ability to program the boards. not a big fan of soldering surface mount components, but i think i will be ok in that area since it seems pretty minimal :)
also, i guess i should ask, are the electronics on this project extremely limiting? Jose mentions ArduPilot Mega as the logical need since he is basically out of i/o on the current setup, so i guess that is another area of needed guidance. if i wanted to go larger, would a new investment in all the controller electronics be needed?
last, what is the payload of something like this? is there any way to mount a very small camera (sd, b/w) and tx on it? and if i were to go that route, do you keep the camera on a different frequency band than the radio? so if radio is 2.4, do you do the camera on 900MHz or 5.8? talking very small distances w/ a live feed - less than 100 feet (33M). if possible i would like to go a camera/video tx that could be tapped off the main power or through the electronics, so i believe probably a 5V setup.
also, how do 2.4/5.8GHz radios do interference wise in a rather densely populated area w/ many other phones and wifi on those selected bands? also, interference wise, i am about 2.5MI(~4KM) away from a rather busy smaller (corporate jets, personal aircraft) airport - not sure if that matters or not.
thanks in advance for taking the time to help this newb out,
bob
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PS : Not sure who here can provide such information, hence the public question !
thanks for the response. now would i need just this - ArduPilot Mega IMU Shield/OilPan V1.4 or something in addition to that for basic quad setup (for the controller board only)? i would just like to verify that this in addition to the escs, motors, props, batt and rx/tx on a frame of my own design would get me in the air for a basic gyro assisted quad.
sorry for such a juvenile question but i just want to make sure of what i would need to start out w/ w/ the plan of expanding fpv/osd/gps at a later time,
bob
1) An old 6ch 72Mhz radio will work fine
2) I suggest you wait a month or two on the electronics. We'll be productizing this, and you'll definitely want to start with ArduPilotMega+IMU as the main controller board, which will be out in a few weeks. Aside from the RC connector, no soldeing is required. No programming either.