Hi everyone, happy to be a new member of this community. Firstly I'm new to the RC world but have been around it for a bit as my brothers and cousins have had many different RC vehicles. This is finally my first. I'm 24 and live in Queensland Australia. I was quite dumbfounded when I came to learn of this already existing huge community. Before I moved back up north I decided I needed a new hobby. I ended up choosing RC's. I then decided I wanted to try FPV. While learning about it all I was amazed at the capabilites that these little things can do. I then decided I wanted to build an aircraft to help the local SES in search and rescue because we get ppl missing all the time in the Far North West of Qld where I live. I then stumbled upon the Outback challenge. Funny story actually. I remember watching the CanberraUAV team and thinking to myself "Why dont these guys just use an ArduPilot", HAHAHA.
So a few months ago now I finally purchased my first RC which is the X5 flying wing. I've had a few problems already as I didn't buy all the right equipment :P. I've now hopefully purchased the rest of the gear I need(hopefully). So in a few weeks I should have it up and running :) and will load some pics
Here is the list of main components to my set up/project:
X5 flying wing
T-six Tx
Orange Rx 3 axis stabilization(which probably wont need now but handy to have, see what happens)
7x6 prop and 8x4 prop
HKpilot mega mini (mini clone of APM)
HK 20A ESC
Ublox Neo-6m GPS
Durafly 2212 1400KV motor
HKPilot 433mhz telemetry transciever
2.4ghz 100mw fpv system with 520tv line chipboard camera
Quanum DIY goggles
Parralell battery harness
2x 3000 mah turnigy batteries
HK pedal launcher
The plan with this model is to teach myself all the basics using APMP2.0 as I only use linux. I plan on building a GCS using a Banana Pi and a 10.1" LED LCD HD TV/Monitor. I have a Nexus 7 but as soon as the Linux tablet is released I will be getting one of those. Because I dislike Google, Apple and Microsoft with a passion I will be supporting APMP2.0 and the likes to the utmost best of my ability. I'm positive I will be on this forum and the Arduplane forum asking questions and helping others out a lot, so you'll see me around ;)
Also this X5 is going to be the baby version of my finale. I plan on building myself a 3d printer then designing(design basically done) and building a mould using the printer(will have to be done in many sections then glued together). From the mould I will make a plug in 2 halfs. From this I will use carbon fiber and make the top half then the bottom. It will be a 2.5m-3m flying wing with tri landing gear. Front gear will probably retract so it doesnt get in the way of the 360* pan tilt camera which will have FLIR for searching the vast country. I have many more ideas and am slowly getting there. I plan on getting my RPAS cert and opening a business so it can be all done legally. Using this said platform livestock headcount can be done too, plus so much more. I even plan on a petrol tricopter for mustering(actually several).
Replies
The 2.4 ghz fpv system could possibly interfere with the 2.4 ghz rc link-be careful when you are using the two together.
Thnx guys, I think you might be right. I was aware of this but thought I'd give it a go. I might just use it while controlling through mission planner or apmp2 with 400mhz. See how I go.
The maiden flight didnt go to well either. Don't think I'll be putting pics up :P First try went into a tree and broke a servo, fixed that. Second I stalled it straight up and pulled up in time before smashing into ground and broke off motor where glued, fixed that. Third time got it up flying and as I was banking to turn back I was taking it wide and slow but was heading for some trees so banked harder. It's wind stalled and nose dived real hard into ground and basically broke in half.
I have purchased a Bix3 because its cheap and may help me learn to fly a bit better :P Dont know where I'll go after that, see what happens.
Also in regards to safety where I live and will be flying there is not a soul as far as the eye can see in all directions. Maybe one day ill try a long range flight with a 900mhz fpv system with 400mhz rc, as we dont get phone reception where I live so wont be interfering with the telecommunications :D though technically all still illegal it will only be done once to test my skill, see what happens....
Good catch @declan ross, I missed that at first.
No maybe about it. Running 2.4 video and R/C is a bad idea.
Eventually it'll show up as a problem, maybe not on the bench, but as the R/C T/X and R/X move further apart, the video is bound to swamp the R/C, even with today's freq. hopping and/or spread spectrum.
Sure, you'll find some flyers who swear they've never had a problem, but I'll never bet my $$ investment and public safety on an obvious weak link.