Multirotor, multicopter and quadcopter discussion - The Drone thread

SkodaMart · 6 Jan 2014 at 16:55

Narj said:
I just made an (expensive) impulse buy. Oops.

Looks like I'll be playing with FPV very shortly! Just got to renew my Amateur Radio licence!

You need a radio license to fly FPV?

Rilot · 6 Jan 2014 at 17:12

SkodaMart said:
You need a radio license to fly FPV?

No, there is no license you can get that will allow airborne transmission at 5.8GHz at more than 25mW.

FunkyCowie · 6 Jan 2014 at 17:21

If you join a RC flying club you usually have to become a BMFA member also, for insurance purposes

SkodaMart · 6 Jan 2014 at 18:27

I have BMFA membership and insurance, I don't fly FPV.

rhysduck · 6 Jan 2014 at 18:53

Aren't they the same thing mate? Didn't think you could join the BMFA as just a 'member'?

Fire_fly · 6 Jan 2014 at 19:03

No you can join the BMFA without being part of an affiliated club.

http://www.bmfa.org/Membership/MembershipTypes/tabid/95/Default.aspx

SkodaMart · 6 Jan 2014 at 19:06

Thing to remember is, unless you a flying from a recognised BMFA flying site the insurance is invalid anyway.

FunkyCowie · 6 Jan 2014 at 19:18

Looks like my Blade could arrive tomorrow... marked as shipped and e-mail says it will take 2-3 days but according to Fedex it is up for Next Day delivery

rhysduck · 6 Jan 2014 at 19:25

Fire_fly said:
No you can join the BMFA without being part of an affiliated club.

http://www.bmfa.org/Membership/MembershipTypes/tabid/95/Default.aspx

But being a country member, it still gives you insurance.

PinkFloyd · 6 Jan 2014 at 20:05

I'm getting confused with all the license/club talk. All this stuff is optional right? To cover yourself if you are doing risky things?

Rilot said:
No, there is no license you can get that will allow airborne transmission at 5.8GHz at more than 25mW.

Not sure how to take this comment, if there is no license for it does this mean you aren't supposed to do it. Or just that it's a non issue - all the fpv kits I've seen are well above 25mW.

I thought the only issues were around the legality of recording and selling for profit rather than actually just doing it for recreation.

Rilot · 6 Jan 2014 at 20:19

PinkFloyd said:
Not sure how to take this comment, if there is no license for it does this mean you aren't supposed to do it. Or just that it's a non issue - all the fpv kits I've seen are well above 25mW.

The is no license for it and it's illegal to do it without a licence.

Simply put, any airborne transmission in the 5.8GHz range with power that exceeds 25mW is illegal in the UK for civilians. It is however unlikely that anyone would ever get told off for this.

SkodaMart · 6 Jan 2014 at 20:19

As far as I understand, BMFA membership includes insurance.

However, this insurance comes with terms and conditions.

Unless you are flying on a recognised flying site, with the land owners permission the insurance is invalid.

You cannot fly RC in a park for example and expect insurance protection against mishap.

Russinating · 6 Jan 2014 at 20:35

Our commercial insurance covered us for flying up to 3,000ft in our existing policy/premium which I was quite surprised at, thought the insurers were going to come back and ask for double.

Bigpops · 6 Jan 2014 at 21:05

SkodaMart said:
Thing to remember is, unless you a flying from a recognised BMFA flying site the insurance is invalid anyway.

That's not strictly true. For the insurance to be valid, you just need to have permission to fly on whatever land you're using.

So, if you know a friendly farmer who will let you, you can fly on his land and be covered.

PinkFloyd · 6 Jan 2014 at 21:27

Fair enough, so it's just a case that the law is a bit behind what is feasible now with modern gear. If everyone else is doing FPV illegally (technically) then I'm not too worried

Cyclone · 7 Jan 2014 at 00:04

Whats the difference between the dji phantom and the Blade 350 qx ? Im going to assume the blade is better because it's dearer :confused:

FunkyCowie · 7 Jan 2014 at 00:26

DJI Phantom is a better camera platform over the Blade because it has a better altitude hold system, the Blade is more acro capable, at stock any way.

And I couldn't find a Phantom for cheaper than the Blade... not sure where you are looking for prices...

Cyclone · 7 Jan 2014 at 02:03

The phantom I've seen for £350, been looking at it for a month or so now. Was tempted by the blade as you mentioned it, the blade also looks quite nice.

Crezzlin · 7 Jan 2014 at 02:12

Hi guys, nice to see this thread on here, I've only been flying for a few months but really got the bug, started with a Phantom now own F450 & F550 all heavily modified now

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwwulJnyQ5M&feature=youtube_gdata_player

FunkyCowie · 7 Jan 2014 at 18:12

rhysduck said:
Very little I would say.
The capacitors in these things pack a good punch (not enough to kill you) but will be enough for slight burns and a bit of pain
Wear some rubber gloves if you can, you'll be fine.
http://www.instructables.com/id/Convert-an-ATX-Power-Supply-Into-a-Regular-DC-Powe/
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/bat...0951-how-convert-atx-power-supply-rc-use.html

Edit: PinkFloyd is right however, if you wanted a proper PSU (with a switch, power light, banana plug jacks etc) then you need to open it up.

Disclaimer: I shall not be held responsible for any death, injury or suffering you, your family, pets and sheep may be subjected too following those two links

Looks like I can't use this powersupply, the power fluctuates between 12v and about 18volts which might explain why it appeared to be dying in the first place.

Tried the charger that comes with the Blade 350 qx (the one with only croc clips) hooked up to a 12v car battery charger and it errors... found an old 12v plug/transformer for a no longer used printer... sliced the connector off and bared the copper but the charger still errors... pain in the ass.