BUILDING an UAV Predator

James April 10, 2009 at 2:36am

I think a custom build PC is the way to go. I got my beast for AU$2500 from www.msy.com.au I am sure there are shops like this in Belgium. It is the cheapest way of getting yourself a good computer. BTW the prices listed was with EVERYTHING Screen, speakers ...etc so if you have a few things you can cut down on price.

Steff Davies January 26, 2009 at 6:25am

I believe Alienware have been bought by Dell. Their kit is certainly well-regarded if memory serves, but quite pricey. I've had good experiences with pcspecialist.co.uk for high-end PCs (though for my own use, I build my own).

BRANDYHans January 24, 2009 at 2:18pm

Absolutely not ! On the field with a Portable PC, a joystick and special glasses :

Varga András January 24, 2009 at 5:42am

Would it be in a Ford Transit or in a VW Transporter? This would be the coolest "Pimp my ride!" on MTV!

BRANDYHans January 24, 2009 at 5:30am

Of course, the dream is everything : Ground Station AND own UAV. A dream cockpit can be seen at
http://www.flightsimulatorcenter.com/gallery/eventi/gallery1/jpg/P5... - About building his own UAV with picture and video I think that the work of Chris Anderson as shown at http://blog.wired.com/geekdad/2007/07/building-a-real.html is top wonderful. On the field, what is called mini-UAV is also often guided from a portable PC, eventually with the special glasses that you can see at http://www.vr920.com/home/index.html The book from Osprey Publishing that I recommend on my website shows page 45 a Marine from a Reconaissance Battalion with such glasses and a PC on his knees. Maybe I will go in this direction, I do not know yet ! All is a question of money and time. I think I will start with a Control Station with Several Screens. My nephew has some experience in Radio-Controlled hobby planes; I will sponsorize him in order to go to a hobby UAV and we will see how far we will be able (technically and financially) to integrate the whole stuff.
About PC, does someone has FSX experience with the ALIENWARE PC from England ? Best Regards to All. BRANDY Hans - AirHansaVA@skynet.be

Reto January 24, 2009 at 4:27am

I got feedback from Mr. Napolitano from www.wideview.it. He has too many commitments to follow our discussions on a regular basis, but would be pleased to answer specific questions by email.
By the way, is there anybody on this blog having experience interfacing Google maps or Google earth with realtime data? It would be interesting to know how accessible such coding is for monitoring our flights. Thanks for any input.

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Sgt Ric January 23, 2009 at 5:07pm

To clarify; is this for running MS FS type sims or for testing UAV systems and as ground control stations for same?

Reto January 23, 2009 at 2:59pm

I just wrote Mr. Napolitano of www.wideview.it (Italy), to ask if he would be willing to share his experience for realtime interfacing with Google Earth. I hope he may join us on DIYdrones. I'll keep you informed if I receive a feedback.

BRANDYHans January 23, 2009 at 12:54pm

Thanks all for the feedback and the nice vue of the UAV PREDATOR Ground Control Station. Today's idea is to build a Ground Control Station with panoramic view in order to "play" the First-Class Simulations software. I found an italian firm that is making a cheap "panoramic" software : www.wideview.it . They also make another software that is integrating images from Google Earth with Flight Simulator... An interesting NATO-de-classified document can be found at : http://www.barnardmicrosystems.com/L4E_ground_control.htm#Ground
Feedback & comments are very welcome. Best Regards to All ! BrandyHans - www.HansaMarine.org/simulators.htm

Matt Fisher January 23, 2009 at 6:31am

I think he wants something a tad more realistic. The pictures on his site are only home built simulators with alot of big LCD's and a joystick and throttle. I think this is what you want.

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BUILDING an UAV Predator

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