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What AP/AV platform are you using?

Discussion in 'AP/FPV' started by Flightbox, Jul 25, 2011.

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  1. Flightbox

    Flightbox Registered

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    Just kinda curious about what everybody using as a aerial photography platform and equipment used.

    I fly a AP Solution Designed by a gentle named Mike Evans. I mostly photograph with a canon A640 for my stills and a gopro for my Video's.
    Flightbox, Jul 25, 2011
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  2. Golden Child

    Golden Child Moderator Staff Member

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    My platform is the RQ1 Predator Drone from NitroPlanes.com - http://www.nitroplanes.com/4eluavrqprra.html
    My video setup is from FoxTechFPV.com including a 200mw 5.8Ghz Tx/Rx with 5db antennas and 520tvl mini camera. The video actually has more range than my 2.4Ghz radio system so never any issues with signal loss or drop-outs ;)
    The all-up weight is a little under 3 pounds, but with a 63" wingspan and 375 watt brushless power setup I have no problems with a smooth flight. I'm looking now for a good gps/autopilot setup that will let me program waypoints and give the UAV an actual "mission" :D Any thoughts out there???
    Anyway, great to have a local forum to chat with local people. Woot!
    Golden Child, Jul 26, 2011
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  3. Flightbox

    Flightbox Registered

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    Nice platform is there room for a Gopro up front?  Are you able to pan and tilt?
    Flightbox, Jul 26, 2011
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  4. Flightbox

    Flightbox Registered

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    Try this site for the GPS / Autopilot,  I haven't looked into that end of FPV yet, but it sounds cool.

    http://rcpilot.sourceforge.net/modules/rcap/index.php

    I think Rangevideo make a GPS devise also.
    Flightbox, Jul 26, 2011
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  5. Flightbox

    Flightbox Registered

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    Here's another  http://www.attopilotinternational.com/    dang now I'm getting excited!!  COOL Stuf
    Flightbox, Jul 26, 2011
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  6. Golden Child

    Golden Child Moderator Staff Member

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    There is room for a GoPro, but they're too heavy (more weight = less flight time). Thanks for the autopilot links. I'm currently looking at the FY3ZT UAV Controller available from FoxTechFPV http://www.foxtechfpv.com/fy3zt-uav-controller-p-275.html
    The cost however is dificult to justify  :-\
    Golden Child, Jul 26, 2011
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  7. Golden Child

    Golden Child Moderator Staff Member

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    Oops, forgot to address the pan/tilt question - sorry. I can easily add a couple servos to accomodate those features, however, my needs are met with the current configuration - view is ahead and slightly down - makes for easy landings via the video transmission (I have it displayed through my laptop).
    Golden Child, Jul 26, 2011
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  8. Flightbox

    Flightbox Registered

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    What are you using to connect to PC?  I've tried the Easycap but I found to much lag time to the PC. So it wasn't showing in real time. I like the idea of having the video record directly on the PC.  Your right the fy3zt uav is nice, but a little to pricey for what I do. Keep us up to date on that.
    Flightbox, Jul 26, 2011
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  9. Golden Child

    Golden Child Moderator Staff Member

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    I use DVD Maker USB 2.0 by KWorld from Newegg.com http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815100112
    Haven't noticed any lag and it provides full 30fps @ 720x480
    Golden Child, Jul 27, 2011
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  10. Flightbox

    Flightbox Registered

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    Not bad it works off the same basic idea of the easycap. I still record all with my cameras, of course I'm set up more for AP/Av photography than straight FPV, but a new FPV plane is in the works.
    Flightbox, Jul 27, 2011
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  11. GPS

    GPS Registered

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    Where do you fly that Predator?  I'd like to see it sometime.
    GPS, Aug 1, 2011
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  12. Golden Child

    Golden Child Moderator Staff Member

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    We have a group of flyers at my work. We go to Flemming Middle School after work 2 or 3 times a week. Haven't posted in a while 'cause I took a hard spill out in Cave Junction with some other friends and had to purchase a new airframe  :eek:
    Working on moving the electronics over now... trying to take pictures and notes to post a build thread in the near future. Adding a few extras to help with better ground control (steerable nose wheel), transport to and from the flying field (removable wings), and a few other goodies that are going to take some as yet unavailable extra cash (autopilot, waypoint programming, and automated take-off). Will have in the air soon probably without the extra electronics as I REALLY enjoy the flight characteristics of this bird ;D
    Stay tuned...
    Golden Child, Aug 1, 2011
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  13. GPS

    GPS Registered

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    Let me know when you get it back in the air.  I would like to see it fly.
    GPS, Aug 1, 2011
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  14. Flightbox

    Flightbox Registered

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    I 2nd that, I would like to take a look myself,  Where is flemming middle school at?
    Flightbox, Aug 1, 2011
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  15. Golden Child

    Golden Child Moderator Staff Member

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    Will do. Our group flies mainly EPO foam electrics. We all have Super Cub LP's, some of us have bipes, some EDF jets, flat foamies, and my RQ-1. What are you flying?
    Golden Child, Aug 1, 2011
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  16. Golden Child

    Golden Child Moderator Staff Member

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    It is in Merlin on Monument Drive.
    Golden Child, Aug 1, 2011
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  17. Golden Child

    Golden Child Moderator Staff Member

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    There is also a group of flyers that gets together Sunday mornings at Redwood School on Redwood Ave. in south Grants Pass though I haven't been in a while myself.
    Golden Child, Aug 1, 2011
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  18. Golden Child

    Golden Child Moderator Staff Member

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    How do you post pics here ???
    Golden Child, Aug 1, 2011
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  19. GPS

    GPS Registered

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    I just added some pictures tonight of my new Dodge Stratus car body by using the "Attachments and other options" link just under the reply box on the left.
    GPS, Aug 1, 2011
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  20. Golden Child

    Golden Child Moderator Staff Member

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    here are a couple pics of the new airframe and the camera already mounted...

    Attached Files:

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    • 19_.jpg
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    Golden Child, Aug 1, 2011
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