Multirotor, multicopter and quadcopter discussion - The Drone thread

Rilot and anyone else with a Taranis... Have you done any range checks ?, it's driving me crazy

Many people report 2KM+, but the best I've managed is 1.1KM before RSSI Critical (even though using the range function I should have got over 1.5KM), I tried some other antenna positions on RX yesterday and made it worse with 580m RSSI Critical.

I'm going to try a tight V shape of no more than 30 degrees on top of 550 I think, combined with having my TX antenna vertical. Reason is the 550 should never really exceed 30 degrees in normal flight and doesn't do 3D :). (having horizontal antenna and one pointing vertically down halved my range)


Apparently best signal for 2.4GHz is with TX and RX antenna aligned.

I have assigned one of my switches so when I flick it during flight voice tells me current RSSI reading... neat feature when flying with goggles.
 
Last edited:
Well, it turns out that my HK AIO FC doesn't have a bootloader on it and according to HK I need to solder on some pins and flash it with a USBasp programmer. I can't be bothered.
Going to stick a Naza lite I have kicking around on it and go from there.

Flukester; are you using the PCB antennas or the whips? The whips seem to give me a much stronger RSSI at range than the PCB ones but I don't fly big distances so it's never been an issue for me.
 
The PCBs, which are meant to be 20% more range but I'm starting to doubt that. Gonna try one more config on it, then maybe change to whips.

Don't really need the range either, but I like to know it's there :)
 
Tight V shape got 1.1KM, but I noticed when the Hex turned side on my signal got better by 20dB.. my thinking is the best signal comes from flat side. Excuse plastic staws and hot glue.

2014-07-21%2013.12.15.jpg


Now am going to try this... should give full signal in all orientations as I have turned one around 45 degrees. If it doesn't work I'll put it in home lock and fly backwards home :)

2014-07-21%2015.13.36.jpg


For long range I'm using twin batterys, gives tons of time to get down field taking it slow... Hover time is around 20mins :)
 
Last edited:
Aye, I've got one on my S800 and my Phantom. Mine says £500 reward on the S800 and £100 reward on the Phantom. I figured those amounts were enough to tempt someone to do the right thing rather than try and sell something that they don't know about.
 
Right I really need to get ordering, but there's too much choice!

I want to build my own quad frame (out of whatever, will make that up later) so just need 4x motors, 4x speed controllers, FCU (KK?) board and what other bits?

I'd want it to be slightly smaller than a Phantom so I'm unsure what size motors I need. Any advice on this front? Doesn't need to carry a camera, more interested in manoeuvrability and flight time.
 
So as I am waiting for the rest of my parts to arrive for 250 build I have been reading more and more online.

I see that I can update/change firmware on my 9XR, plug the kk2 into my pc and plug my Plush ESC's into a programming card. Are all these things required before flying?
 
Ash2097 said:
So as I am waiting for the rest of my parts to arrive for 250 build I have been reading more and more online.

I see that I can update/change firmware on my 9XR, plug the kk2 into my pc and plug my Plush ESC's into a programming card. Are all these things required before flying?
Click to expand...

No, the KK should have a flyable firmware onboard already, but usually there is a better one ready to update. I am running Stevies V1.17S1 lite (link). The programmer can be bought on eBay (link) for a couple of quid if you don't have one already.

The Plush ESCs are fairly quick anyway to begin with but there are a couple of multirotor specific ESC firmwares out there depending upon the model (and it's processor) which can be better. I have found that SimonK FW is miles better for small quads than whatever is stock on Multistar ESCs. Flashing ESCs isn't to be taken lightly and a bit of electronics experience comes in really handy. You can use the same programmer as the KK, but some soldering of jumper cables might be required, or a specific socket tool to purchase if that sounds daunting.

There is also a lot that can be done to the 9X transmitters but to be honest, for flying a 5 channel quad, just bind up your receiver and have some fun tbh :)
 
Last edited:
Tinkering is what it's all about imo :) I need a decent board cam with a nice wide angle, but all the regular places seem out of stock and I refuse to pay 50-100% more than face value from the gougers :(
 
I've been playing with the Q4 for a while and really enjoying it indoors and even (fighting the wind) outdoors.

I'm planning to pick up an X4 soon as the controller allows much more control of settings and the bigger quad should be much easier to fly outdoors.

I'm amazed how controllable the tiny Q4 is. if you're good you can really do precise maneuvers.
 
I've got a Hubsan x4 and its a great drone for the price. Think I paid £27 delivered when it was on a deal offer.

Don't expect it to be easy to fly as its not simple toy.

Stability mode is great to learn. I highly recommend you get a prop guard - http://www.wheelspinmodels.co.uk/i/231479/

The guard does drop a minute or so off the battery life but it doesnt matter as I have 5 and just keep charging them if you want to carry on using it.

For the size and price its fantastic and I often fly it out my 3rd floor apartment window and away ~50 meters (until I can almost not see it) It fights the wind very well

The next upgrade for me will be a Blade 200QX - although comes in at £150 + the cost of a TX, which is about another £150-£200. Something like a Spektum DX8

£350 is a totally different ball game to £27!
 
Guest2 said:
I've got a Hubsan x4 and its a great drone for the price. Think I paid £27 delivered when it was on a deal offer.

Don't expect it to be easy to fly as its not simple toy.

Stability mode is great to learn. I highly recommend you get a prop guard - http://www.wheelspinmodels.co.uk/i/231479/

The guard does drop a minute or so off the battery life but it doesnt matter as I have 5 and just keep charging them if you want to carry on using it.

For the size and price its fantastic and I often fly it out my 3rd floor apartment window and away ~50 meters (until I can almost not see it) It fights the wind very well

The next upgrade for me will be a Blade 200QX - although comes in at £150 + the cost of a TX, which is about another £150-£200. Something like a Spektum DX8

£350 is a totally different ball game to £27!
Click to expand...

i'm looking forward to getting it out of stability mode - i've got to grips with the Q4 but sometimes its inputs are just a bit too slow.
prop guard is a good shout - i've spent ages looking for knocked-off props on the Q4!


are you going to be doing any aerial video or just flying for now?
 
arknor said:
Just build your own it's half the fun
Click to expand...

i'd love to, but money is tight at the moment. Hopefully i'll build one eventually!
you're right though - building is definitely half the fun. same with PCs - in the last few months i've probably spent more time tinkering than actually using my PC. lol
 
martinoheat said:
i'm looking forward to getting it out of stability mode - i've got to grips with the Q4 but sometimes its inputs are just a bit too slow.
prop guard is a good shout - i've spent ages looking for knocked-off props on the Q4!


are you going to be doing any aerial video or just flying for now?
Click to expand...

To be fair the agility mode isnt exactly crazy fast. It does it it at first but now its pretty normal and stability mode is just tame

Aerial video is a tricky one with the x4. Camera mods needed to strip down the weight to as little as possible, plus the guard already adds a bit of weight
 
You can get 5 batteries for under a tenner. I've got 6 in total and spent an hour flying and crashing in the garden at the weekend. It will just about carry an 808 keyring camera if you want some shots.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom