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MQ-9 Reaper FPV Project

Discussion in 'AP/FPV' started by Golden Child, Sep 10, 2011.

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  1. Golden Child

    Golden Child Moderator Staff Member

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    So this is my current project...
    MQ-9 Reaper drone from Nitroplanes.com (http://www.nitroplanes.com/4eluavrqprra.html)
    Wireless camera equipment from http://www.foxtechfpv.com/
    Still determining power setup to use, but have some extras laying around that I'll try that are from previous crashes :-\
    Adding some mods to the airframe to make it more user-friendly - steerable nosewheel, removable wings, and soon a GPS-guided autopilot system with programmable waypoints so I can give it an actual "mission"!
    Here are a couple pics of the build so far...

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    • 68_.jpg
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    Golden Child, Sep 10, 2011
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  2. Golden Child

    Golden Child Moderator Staff Member

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    The internally mounted HD cam

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    • 70_.jpg
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    Golden Child, Sep 10, 2011
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  3. GPS

    GPS Registered

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    Are you bringing this Reaper tomorrow?
    GPS, Sep 10, 2011
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  4. Golden Child

    Golden Child Moderator Staff Member

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    It won't be finished, but yes, I'm bringing it ;)
    Golden Child, Sep 10, 2011
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  5. Flightbox

    Flightbox Registered

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    Golden Child  The build looks good hope to see it this Sunday.  I've been considering getting one myself.
    Flightbox, Sep 13, 2011
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  6. Golden Child

    Golden Child Moderator Staff Member

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    Having a bad week so far, not likely going to have it finished, but I'll bring it out regardless. Looking forward to meeting you!
    Golden Child, Sep 13, 2011
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  7. GPS

    GPS Registered

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    How is your Reaper coming along?  Will you be bringing it this weekend?
    GPS, Sep 27, 2011
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  8. Golden Child

    Golden Child Moderator Staff Member

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    Sorry to say I haven't done a thing to it since you saw it last :-[ Work is keeping me busy 14-16 hours a day and it's all I can do to crawl to my bed at the end of the day :-\ The rest of this week doesn't look any better, but the weekend is all mine :D I have so many projects, I'm not sure which I want to finish first. Probably gluing my Pitts bipe back together (finally), as that is my favorite!!! I'll be at Redwood Sunday with something, so hope to see you there!
    Golden Child, Sep 27, 2011
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  9. GPS

    GPS Registered

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    We are planning to come out this Sunday.  I hope you can get some time to work on your projects, but I know how work can be too.  Looking forward to seeing your Reaper fly in the near future.  Flightbox's video and FPV rig has me really wanting to do some FPV and aerial video myself.
    GPS, Sep 27, 2011
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  10. Golden Child

    Golden Child Moderator Staff Member

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    Yeah, I know that feeling - I just need more hours in my day ;D
    Golden Child, Sep 27, 2011
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  11. GPS

    GPS Registered

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    How's your Reaper doing?  Did you have some time to work on it?
    GPS, Oct 12, 2011
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  12. Golden Child

    Golden Child Moderator Staff Member

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    Sadly, no. But I have an FPV presentation for my club in November so I really need to get off my butt and finish it. I have all the parts, just been short on time.
    Golden Child, Oct 12, 2011
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  13. Pelagic Pilot

    Pelagic Pilot Registered

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    Does that just record in HD or can you transmit down to the ground station in HD? What freq for downlink are you using?
    Pelagic Pilot, Oct 16, 2011
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  14. Golden Child

    Golden Child Moderator Staff Member

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    My system is 5.8GHz. I know, not the best, but this is my first FPV project and I wanted to go cheap ;) Camera is not quite HD, 600 lines, again went with cheap. I am setting up to transmit to my ground station (5.8 receiver to the video input adapter on my laptop). I've done ground tests and don't have any perceptable lag. Once I get this project finished and any bugs/issues ironed-out, my plan is to start another FPV plane with 1.2GHz equipment, a LRS setup for my radio gear, and a programmable autopilot system so I can set nav waypoints for an actual "mission" ;D I've been looking at the UAV/Drone style airframes, but recently also started looking at sailplane airframes. Any thoughts?
    Golden Child, Oct 17, 2011
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  15. Pelagic Pilot

    Pelagic Pilot Registered

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    I am a helicopter guy so can't help much with airframe, but the Skywalker foam job shows up a lot on YouTube and looks very nice. The 5.8 frequency will be very touchy, multipath is common and a blade of grass will block your signal. The 1.2 should be fine, I use 900 which would be the best frequency, but they don't make very good equipment in that band so its about the same as 1.2 anyway.

    I am still considering either dragon link or chain link LRS at this time. But for now I will extend my 2.4 the best I can. I think my camera is 550 lines, but I don't know of anyway to transmit HD video for not a lot of money.
    Pelagic Pilot, Oct 17, 2011
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  16. Golden Child

    Golden Child Moderator Staff Member

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    OK, so I have 10 days left before my FPV presentation for my club :eek: Time to REALLY   get off my butt and get this project competed ::) I am working 12-16 hour days this week so I'm not likely to get much sleep :-\ Anyway, hoping to have it all done by the weekend so I can maiden it out at the Skypark in Kerby before my presentation :D
    Golden Child, Oct 23, 2011
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  17. GPS

    GPS Registered

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    I saw you post in the FPV forum about your presentation, does that mean the airframe of the Reaper is done?
    GPS, Nov 7, 2011
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  18. Golden Child

    Golden Child Moderator Staff Member

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    Yes, the airframe is done. I'm adding the steerable nosewheel now. Then I'll finish the electronics and do the maiden out at the skypark so I've got lots of room. Should be another week or so :)
    Golden Child, Nov 7, 2011
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  19. Golden Child

    Golden Child Moderator Staff Member

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    Well, I've FINALLY set some time aside to get this project finished ;) I'm going to complete the airframe with the steerable nosewheel and removable wings, and install my 5.8Ghz FPV equipment. If all goes well and no major issues arise, I'll be heading out to Kerby for some arial videos of the skypark (weather permitting). I think I've finally found the autopilot system I've been looking for. Its the Super Cyclops system from foxtechfpv.com. Video and link are below. Let me know your thoughts :)

    http://www.foxtechfpv.com/super-cyclops-fly-assistant-system-p-260.html

    [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=o9h3bhYi0RI[/youtube]
    Golden Child, Feb 26, 2012
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  20. Pelagic Pilot

    Pelagic Pilot Registered

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    That looks really cool, OSD/NAV/Stabilization all in one. The only issue I see is the same one I have, IR based stabilization, won't work in the cold foggy Oregon. Summertime flying will be superb though.
    Pelagic Pilot, Feb 26, 2012
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