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Mostly just adds support for the new Uno and Mega boards: Get it here. From the release notes:

* Added support for the Arduino Uno and Arduino Mega 2560.* Including ATmega8U2 firmware used by Uno and Mega 2560.* Including source code to optiboot bootloader used by the Uno.
* Including source code to the stk500v2 bootloader used by  Mega 2560.

PS: the Eagle files for the two boards are now up, too.

So i finally got my brown bag from Sparkfun. I soldered all the pins, downloaded and installed the Arduino software from here: http://arduino.cc/en/Main/Software

I wanted to try the test programs from this page: http://code.google.com/p/ardupilot-mega/wiki/Programming

I got a FDTI cable from the DIY Drones store for using with my telemetry later, but found out that i can use it for downloading code to the board without the IMU shield attached.

FDTI cable attached and powering the card. The blue LED pulsates when servos are running. I uploaded the RC input testprogram.

After that i tried the "moving servos demo" and found out that the link for the zipfile on the page is wrong.

Here is my log on my attempts on building my own drone.

I am going to post just about everything i do and perhaps other can learn from my mistakes :o)

Feel free to comment my work.

/Stefan

I am planning to use 2 Easystars. one for RC training and one for the real thing.

Stuff i am going to use:

Airframe: Easystar

Motor: Turnigy 2835 2200kv

BEC: HobbyWing Pentium 25 A

Battery:LiPo 1800 3S 25C

Prop: APC-E 6x5.5

Radio: Currently a salvaged 4 channel 2.4 GHz from an ArtTech Parkflyer. Will upgrade later.

Assembling the Easystar

The manual was easy to follow, but instead of glue for assembling the fuselage, i used double sided tape. (used for carpets)

I placed the controller inside the fuselage.I am not planning to at full speed so heat will not be an issue (i hope).

Double sided tape in place.

Even more tape...I will not use quite as much on the next Easystar

Closeup of the motor mount. Airflow is needed around the motor so only tape on top and bottom

Fastening the servos

A little tight...easy to fix with some sandpaper

Some drawings, parts, testcuts

The machine

Some parts

Some more parts

The result

Details

More details

This is it. I hope to have the maidenflight soon.

Thanks to all ArduCopter people for the inspiration and the code.

Cheers Christof

From Chris's original post

"Hey guys. We just had our third and final baby!" [no this isn't it...] rj

SOLDSOLD[check it out, baby needs diapers! :)] edits by Moderator; rj

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1312633#post16127395

One of my neighbor, also a friend, bought from China, on Ebay, a $1500.00 CNC machine knowing that I would learn how to use it and then teach him. Sure... but before I had to put together a computer powerful enough from some of the junk found in my garage. Could not wait to find a case for it.

After going through a few online tutorials (or was it a lot?) about Mach 3 CNC software, Sheetcam CAM software, stepper motors and controllers, etc. I ended up with my case less computer showing this screen;

and a noisy set up doing that; At least that is what my neighbors complains at 3 o'clock in the morning, you know ! CNC, router and vacuum noises.

Realizing that honey-do points are very hard to accumulate, we decided to start with cheap and easily available trex rc helicopter parts and built around it. Also we had the wisdom to start with a mock-up made with acrylic instead of wasting some very exotic and expensive material like carbon fiber. I think they call that the learning curve.

But what is that gizmo?

The continuation of our story will be by acclamation from you guys or it will die with this post...

Are you curious? Did DIYDRONES made you crazier to? Maybe we should consider a class action for it to stop...

Cheers!

Mario

(see picture above)

Maiden:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5JaiPQnqss

Catapult testing:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGtdsM8GUFk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-vR4BNGtYk&NR=1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0HCqMdQx84

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_qsmVzjjqQ

I'm here in New York with the Arduino team (for the Open Hardware Summit and Maker Faire NYC), and the team has just announced the long awaited 1.0 version ("Punto Uno") of the Arduino platform. This is actually just the start of a series of hardware and software evolutions that will take Arduino into even more markets, both broader and higher-end. The Arduino phenomena, as big as it already is, is only going to accelerate from here.

The two main hardware differences in the new board are that the venerable FTDI chip that's used as a USB interface has been replaced with and Atmel ATmega8U2 and the Mega's Atmega 1280 has been replaced by a Atmega 2560, with more memory. Here's how the team describes this:

--"We replaced the aging FTDI chipset with a custom made usb-serial converter built with an Atmel ATmega8U2 this provides lower latency and doesn’t require to install any drivers on mac and linux (on windows all you need is a simple .inf file) more advanced users will be able to reprogram the USB chip to make the board show up as a variety of USB devices (Keyboards, Mice, Joysticks, MIDI etc)"

--"An upgrade for the Arduino Mega which will sport the new Atmel USB chip plus an ATMega2560 processor with twice as much flash memory. We’ve been able to obtain some significant savings due improvements in the production process and better pricing from suppliers that we are happy to pass on to customers. This board will have the same graphic design as the UNO.

We in the ArduPilot/Copter project, along with Sparkfun, have been working with the Arduino team closely on these changes, and will be making similar changes to the APM board and IMU shield. It's all backwards compatible, so there should be no code issues or differences in performance with the existing boards, but the new boards with the ATMega8U2 should be a bit cheaper to manufacture, and won't require the FTDI driver, which should make things easier for newcomers.

Concept Quadcopter with retractable landing gear.

I've been working on this idea for the last 2-3 weeks, and if all goes well, I’ll start
the machining the parts soon for the 1^st proto frame.

Features:

* 100% carbon fiber material in all body parts

* Retractable landing gear from Transmitter (maybe if possible with the use of sonar, auto
retractable or deployment if distance from ground > 2m)

* Foldable arms for easy transport in a Heavy Duty Case

* Main Body from molded Carbon Fiber sheet ( not yet implemented in renders )..

* Heavy Lifter (if possible 1 or 1,5 kg )

It well be a real challenge for me because this is my 1^st DIY project .

When I well have the full frame tested, I’ll post all building instructions and Acad files
, if somebody is interested in making this frame for their personal use .

If your in the UK and getting ready for some big UAS purchases for Christmas just remember the CAA are waiting

With the increasing popularity of small, unmanned aircraft (20 kg or less), some of which can now be controlled by Smart Phones, the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has today issued advice on using the devices in built-up areas or when in proximity to people, property or vehicles. The CAA said it was important that owners of the aircraft understood the risks they pose, despite their small size, to other airspace users and also to individuals on the ground.

The CAA pointed out that these devices are ‘aircraft’ and are therefore covered by regulations within the Air Navigation Order, which anyone flying them should be aware of. There have been a number of accidents in recent years, some fatal, involving model aircraft, and to avoid similar incidents and risk to third parties, operators of these new generation of unmanned aircraft should take great care when using them. Where such small, unmanned aircraft are fitted with surveillance cameras, they need permission from the CAA to operate within 50 metres of a person, vehicle, vessel or structure (not in control of the person in charge) and when operating over or within 150 metres of any area that is substantially used for residential, industrial, commercial or recreational purposes or open-air assemblies of more than 1,000 people.

Emergency services, and many commercial operators, are already using small, unmanned aircraft mounted with cameras, but are doing so with the full knowledge and authorisation of the CAA. All such flying is done within set distances from the pilot, who must also be able to clearly see the aircraft at all times to ensure safe operation and the avoidance of collisions.

Matt Lee, Head of Regulation Enforcement at the CAA, said: “Anyone thinking of buying a small, unmanned aircraft should be aware that whilst there is a lot of pleasure in flying one, they are not toys and they must be operated legally. In the wrong hands or used irresponsibly in built-up areas, or, too close to other people or property, they represent a very real safety risk. As well as the danger of being physically hit, there is also the chance of other accidents being caused through distraction, for example, if a car driver was to be surprised by something flying towards him. In the past we have seen people seriously injured or even killed by model aircraft and, now that small, unmanned aircraft are becoming more readily available and simpler to fly, we need to avoid any similar incidents.”

The CAA said it had contacted several manufacturers and distributors to explain the rules for using small, unmanned surveillance aircraft in the UK, as set out in the Air Navigation Order, and asked that this information be passed on to potential and existing customers.

So private or commercial no dumb videos on YouTube please. The people at Parrot are almost certainly the people that prompted this response with their very ill conceived advertising campaign

I have already informed my customers in fact we have always told people what the rules were. For those of you that might be customers.....

In summary, as soon as a camera is put on a model it becomes a UAS, its the law here don't whine, it was in the pipeline for at least 5 years before it happened.

Privately

Aircraft weight up to 20KG carry on, just don't do anything silly

Commercially

Aircraft 0-7 kg BMFA A cert and form SRG 1320 submission

7-20kg BMFA B cert and form SRG 1320

I think its 107 pounds for the permission.

This pilot certification route will change as the CPL(U) is defined and comes into existence. If you do not have prior aviation knowledge the CAA may ask you to train using Euro USC.

The guys at the CAA are actually very cool and only want to see things develop correctly and the industry to lead the world here. Its interesting to see Bill P having problems flying at a small AMA event and yet we could fly at Farnborough airshow this year. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnJ0Gu0gVf4 ;

The CAA have made their position clear, its the head of prosecutions talking in that press release. Thankfully in all my flying I have been lucky and they have not come after me, honest. But I know people that have been pulled up for the odd moment of youthful exuberance and its not funny.