Castle Creations is introducing the QuadPack 35. This pack of four 35-amp multi-rotor ESCs is equipped with three (3) ESCs without a BEC and one (1) with a BEC*. Each ESC has optimized firmware specifically designed for quadcopter and other multi-rotor platforms. Refresh rates up to 490 Hz give your platform optimum stability and maneuverability without missing a beat. QuadPack 35 comes preprogrammed for multi-rotor platforms and is recommended for platforms ranging from 450 to 650 sizes pulling up to 35 amps** and running up to 6S LiPo. As with all Castle ESCs, this product is easily programmable using the Castle Link USB adapter (sold separately).

*The single BEC supplies power for all 4 controllers.

**RC HOBBY APPLICATION RATING: 35 amps for the duration of a single 4,000 mAh battery pack with the ESC in contact with a 5 mph airflow of 25C (77F) or cooler air. Controller temperature must never exceed 100C (212F). Exceeding current or temperature ratings may damage components and may shorten the life of the ESC. Always verify system current draw at full-throttle. Decrease load or increase airflow to decrease the ESC’s operating temperature.

Continuous Maximum Current: 35A
Input Voltage: 7.4-22.2V (2-6S LiPo)
Input Connector Types: Bare Wire
Output Connector Types: Bare Wire
Length: 1.93 in (49mm)
Width: 0.88 in (22.4mm)
Height: 0.33 in (8.4mm)
Weight: 0.98 oz (27.8 g) each
BEC Voltage: 5.5V; 5A continuous, 7A peak

Paul @ WavetechRc

SHEPHERD-MIL

Hi all !!

I wish to let Canada’s East Coast Quadcopter hobbyist that we got 11 of the blade 350 qx on their way

will be in stock after the weekend.

BNF $439.99 + Tax.
RTF $489.99 + Tax.

Free Shipping In Canada.

WAVETECH R/C HOBBY SHOP
http://wavetechrc.com/

A simple, cheap infrared camera which can measure plant health -- for geek gardeners, farmers, and open source DIY scientists.

What is Infragram?

Infragram is a simple, affordable near-infrared camera produced by the Public Laboratory community in a series of collaborative experiments over the last few years. We originally developed this technology to monitor wetlands damages in the wake of the BP oil spill, but its simplicity of use and easy-to-modify open-source hardware & software makes it a useful tool for home gardeners, hikers, makers, farmers, amateur scientists, teachers, artists, and anyone curious about the secret lives of plants.

http://www.kickstarter.com/

Unmanned aircraft have proved their prowess against al Qaeda. Now they’re poised to take off on the home front. Possible missions: patrolling borders, tracking perps, dusting crops. And maybe watching us all?

http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2013/03/unmanned-flight/horgan-text

http://www.joemcnally.com/blog/2013/02/19/unmanned-flight-in-the-geographic/

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=109&cp_id=10909&cs_id=1090901&p_id=10159&seq=1&format=2

Capture all the action with the new MHD Action Camera from Monoprice!

The MHD boasts a full, high-definition 1920x1080p display with 24-bit color depth at 30 frames per second. It can also be set to capture at the lower 1280x720p, 24-bit resolution with 30 fps. It features an ultra-wide 120° field of view, so you can really get up close and personal with your shots.

The camera is waterproof to depths up to 10 meters without a separate outer enclosure. It is also shock, dust, and freeze proof, all features that are necessary in an extreme sports action camera. A waterproof microphone allows you to capture the entire audio/video experience. A two-axis gyroscopic sensor ensures that the video maintains the proper orientation.

The MHD weighs only 3.9 ounces and measures 3 3/4" long, 1 7/8" high, and 1 1/2" wide. It comes with a mounting bracket and can also be mounted onto a standard 1/4"x20 threaded mount, giving you maximum flexibility in how you use it.

A one-touch slide switch is used to start and stop recordings. The switch is about 1" long by 3/8" wide, so you can easily start and stop a recording without having to remove your gloves.

A locking and removable cap on the rear of the unit gives access to the resolution selection switch (FHD or HD), the hardware reset button, the micro-SD card slot, which can accomodate a card up to 32GB size, the mini-B USB port for charging and data sync, and a Micro HDMI port for direct video output to an HDTV. The internal battery has sufficient charge to allow up to 3 hours of continuous recording and up to 6 hours of standby mode.

In addition to being used as a video camera, the MHD Action Camera is also a 5 megapixel still camera. A large button on the top of the unit is used to snap pictures in Single Photo, Burst, and Time Lapse modes with 24-bit color depth.

The camera has plug and play operation and is automatically recognized as a storage device by Windows and Mac computers. Integrated software can be installed to a Mac or Windows PC to allow access to the internal settings. The software is compatible with Windows XP SP3 or later or Mac OS X 10.5 or later.

Additional Mounting Accessories:  Helmet Mount, Board Mount, Suction Cup Mount

I finally managed to get access to a decent camera on a day with good weather! The following video is mostly demonstrating the quadrotors stability under the new four-state Kalman filter I have implemented, that estimates both the current pitch/roll and two gyroscope biases. Most of the flight is hands-off, with the occasional input to correct for wind and inevitable position drift.

    I feel this angle control is pretty much perfect, so I will now be moving on to integrating extra sensors to allow for direct velocity and position control. I’m excited to see just how complex I can make the navigation system before the Pi cracks, but it seems for now despite using unoptimized  double precision floating point math for everything it still has plenty of headroom to go!

    The (rather messy) code is available at https://github.com/big5824/Picopter. Now that the first stage is finished I can start going through cleaning up the spaghetti of test code, but that will have to wait for now.

http://www.adafruit.com/blog/2012/12/07/a-quadrocopter-powered-by-raspberry-pi-piday-raspberrypi-raspberry_pi/

Not quite a drone but for only $39.99 you can get your r/c water cannon Helicopter

http://www.thinkgeek.com/product/f09b/?srp=5

The award went to the World Wildlife Foundation for:

"Remote aerial survey systems, wildlife tagging technology and ranger patrolling guided by analytical software like the Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool (SMART) will be integrated to increase the detection and deterrence of poaching in vulnerable sites in Asia and Africa. Our goal is to create an efficient, effective network that can be adopted globally."

http://worldwildlife.org/stories/google-helps-wwf-stop-wildlife-crime

The secret of photosynthesis

Two researchers at the ANU have used computer modelling to discover a natural method of producing cheap and limitless hydrogen. The chemists have identified the molecular process by which plants photosynthesise, that is, use light to convert carbon dioxide and water into sugar.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-11-09/scientists-unlock-natures-hydrogen-secrets/4364072

Down from original model's price of $399.

Added:

• waterproof housing

Removed:

• Removable battery
• GPS
• Bluetooth
• HDMI

http://contour.com/products/contour-roam-2

Found this on Gizmodo

It’s codenamed FishPi, and I’m already hungry. It’s going to consist of a Raspberry Pi computer, strapped to a solar panel and encased in a model boat that will navigate perilous seas all by itself.

Greg Holloway is the crazy sea dog who came up with the FishPi, and explains his ideas on the Raspberry Pi blog:

Massive 25-foot waves, 100km/h winds, torrential rain, lightning, and the Kraken. None of those things should be put anywhere near a Raspberry Pi. On the Atlantic Ocean all of those are common place, and that is exactly where I’m sending my Raspberry Pi.

FishPi will be powered by a 130watt solar panel, so there will be no masts or sails. The propulsion will run from batteries, charged by the solar panel, and it will utilise a Kort Nozzle to gain maximum thrust from what will be limited power.

On-board will be a compass, GPS and camera so we always know where the little adventurer is on its journey. It’s only a proof of concept right now, but Holloway is confidant it can become a reality. Oh please let it become a reality. I want to watch a model boat cross an ocean all by itself from the comfort of my office chair.

Kyle Gluesenkamp from the School's mechanical engineering department, hand-cranking and pedaling like his life depended on it, managed to keep the huge quad-rotor craft aloft for 50 seconds, an impressive new world record that's currently awaiting validation by the National Aeronautic Association (NAA).

My Distributor tell's me that the Easy Star II is in there system ready for some back orders.

• Folding propeller for reduced drag in glider mode
• Protected pod motor mount
• Easily detachable tail plane for ease of transport
• Large internal space with ample room for high capacity LiPo packs

Updated and upgraded, the quick-to-build and easy-to-fly EasyStar II is sure to become one of your favorite models. Based on one of Hitec's most popular aircraft, the original EasyStar, this improved kit boasts larger internal space, more payload capability and optional ailerons. It is designed to accept a powerful brushless motor which makes it a versatile, durable aircraft sure to impress both the beginner and more advanced pilots. Its gentle gliding characteristics and ease of transport make the EasyStar II effortless hobby fun.

$99.99 Free Shipping From Us. :-)

Thanks Paul
Wavetech Rc

Found this on Boca Bearings monthly Innovation Competition.

Thanks Paul.

A Slashdot user aesoteric writes "Australia's top miners have opened a new front in their march to automation, flying unmanned aerial vehicles in increasing numbers at remote sites across the country. They've been used to inspect a fire-damaged oil rig, perform aerial photography and stockpile surveys.

There is also a trend towards non U.S.-built UAVs, due to the lag in receiving export approvals for the aircraft and spare parts."

http://www.itnews.com.au/News/302240,australian-miners-send-drones-to-work.aspx

http://tech.slashdot.org/story/12/05/29/003205/autralian-mining-companies-increasing-use-of-uavs

It’s about the size of a smartphone and about as powerful. It comes with Android 2.3

pre-installed, They’re taking pre-orders and expect to ship in July.

Via Geek.com

http://www.geek.com/articles/chips/via-launch-a-49-android-pc-20120522/

Blair documented this project in incredible detail @ http://www.blairkelly.ca/2012/04/20/arduino-wifly-mini/