http://hforsten.com/6-ghz-frequency-modulated-radar.html

Introduction

I've for some time now wanted to do more RF design. Although I have taken some RF design courses, I haven't actually made a single RF design before. But you can't learn without doing and inspired by the MIT coffee can radar designed by Gregory Charvat, I figured that building a radar should be a doable project that would offer some challenge while also having some real world use.

The simplest radar is a continuous wave Doppler radar, which continuously transmit a constant frequency signal. This signal reflects from a moving target and Doppler shift causes reflected signal to change frequency. This reflected signal is then received and mixed with the transmitted signal. Mixer product is the difference of the frequencies which is proportional to the speed of the target. This kind of radar is very simple to make, in fact there are even some children's toys. Unfortunately it can't detect the range of the target and isn't that exiting.

A little more sophisticated radar which can detect also the range can be made by modulating the frequency of the transmitted signal. This kind of radar is called continuous wave frequency modulated radar (FMCW radar).

Interesting project with some application in our space. 

All hardware design files, firmware and processing software is available at github

While liberating them from school, summer vacation also presents children with a challenge: finding something to do all day. For Richard Evans, that was never the case.

On most of those balmy summer days growing up on Merrit Island, Florida, Evans and his older brother found their way to the private airport a half-mile from their house. They’d lie down in the grass and wait, patiently looking to the bright blue sky until a plane would hum into their vision before landing on the runway nearby.

Fast forward to today and Evans, 61, is still watching in wonder as aircraft fly overhead. The only difference now is that he is in control.

more at: http://www.equipmentworld.com/drones/#sthash.bPBrf03D.dpuf

Because it's a useful tool. And imagine what Louis XIV could have accomplished at Versailles if he'd had one

There’s been a lot of discussion and a tremendous amount of speculation lately about the nature of drones and their role in our society as useful tools and hobbyist toys.

Last year, while celebrating my birthday in Maine, I was given a drone fitted with a high-definition camera. After a quick introduction to the mechanics of operating the contraption and a few words about its idiosyncrasies, I loaded the appropriate app on my iPad and went down to the beach.

Read more

Ok this is a little tongue in cheek... we talk all the time about the potential life saving of drones in special circumstances like search and rescue, or doing dangerous jobs like fire spotting.

Here though, we have an article on how we could be saving lives even doing tourist photography:

On the edge: Tourists risking their lives for the ‘perfect photo’

CENTR generates 360° HD video in real time on a device that fits in your pocket. Kickstarter campaign.

I want to add a gimbal and hang one below my X8.