Multirotor, multicopter and quadcopter discussion - The Drone thread

[PinkFloyd]

So, reading up on FPV systems more. Lots of people saying don't even bother with HAM Radio licenses as no-one enforces the rules around the mW of the transmitter. Generally people mostly saying that if you aren't doing it in stupid places drawing attention to yourself you're not gonna have an issue.
What have the fpv'ers here found? There doesn't seem to be a whole lot of clear information on it :/

 

[Skeeter]

Ask yourself this: Out of everyone that is ever likely to see you flying FPV, how many would be able to firstly identify the specifications of the kit you are using, secondly understand how that relates to the regulations and HAM licenses, and thirdly, give enough of a dam to actually do something about it?

 

[opstrat]

So had my first test flight today. At about 50 per cent thrust it tipped over and smashed a prop.


Back to the drawing board as they say.

 

[d_brennen]

Ask yourself this: Out of everyone that is ever likely to see you flying FPV, how many would be able to firstly identify the specifications of the kit you are using, secondly understand how that relates to the regulations and HAM licenses, and thirdly, give enough of a dam to actually do something about it?

This. I got collared by two cops in Alexandra park and they just wanted to know where I bought it, how far it can go and if they could have a go (to which I gave a polite no, as they wouldn't have been insured )

YMMV/YOLO

e: for clarity, this was in one of the fields, nowhere near the palace, at 7.45 am with not a soul in sight, aside from said stealthy coppers

 

[d_brennen]

So had my first test flight today. At about 50 per cent thrust it tipped over and smashed a prop.


Back to the drawing board as they say.

Something amiss here, though a more detailed analysis of the crash is needed

 

[Skeeter]

Does anyone know a UK supplier of FPV250 or similar frames? HobbyKing have them for a fiver but are out of stock with no sign of them arriving soon, and its the only thing holding up my order.

 

[d_brennen]

If you plan to FPV... http://fatsharkstore.co.uk/m250-mini-quad-carbon-fibre

I can't fault this frame for the price and the seller has been good to deal with for me.

 

[Skeeter]

Is it actually CF? Theres an awful lot of fake ones about.

 

[d_brennen]

Spoiler

Spoiler

Yep. Not sure what the relative quality of the CF is though. It looks immaculate, weighs **** all and I've already embedded mine in the turf with not a single scratch

 

[PinkFloyd]

Pretty much as I thought on the fpv thing then, time to make my mind up on goggles then. Might just go sod it and buy some attitudes lol
Should really get a FC with GPS and some more features before considering fpv though, not sure I trust the KK2 enough, especially with it's less than stellar auto level (ie it's not overly smooth)

opstrat - All your motors spinning the correct directions with the right props on? Sounds like it only had lift on one side and flipped. Only a propeller though!

 

[opstrat]

Something amiss here, though a more detailed analysis of the crash is needed

Sure I will give it a go. Hobbyking alien 560 frame. Facing toward me. Increased throttle to gain lift and the hole copter rolls over to one side. Props wernt ballanced.

Does it matter which blade goes on which motor?

 

[Skeeter]

Yes, blades are directional. It sounds like you have one side upside down.

 

[opstrat]

They were all facing the same way up.

 

[firstborn]

I have this soldering iron at the moment

http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/50-w-solder-station-n78ar

Absolute steal at £11. You can get Duratool tips for it on ebay for a quid or so each

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3-x-Spare...Home_Garden_PowerTools_SM&hash=item1c308b4df0

or

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/0-5mm-Poi...Home_Garden_PowerTools_SM&hash=item1c307dc83d

(Search for N78AR tips)

Pair with one of these to extend the life of the tips, don't bother with a wet sponge

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/D180-Sold...Home_Garden_PowerTools_SM&hash=item27debc0c49

I used to have one of these

http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/60-w-lcd-display-solder-station-n89cz

Bigger, better control but overkill for hobby RC stuff IMO

I've just bought this after realising my standard iron wouldn't cut it:

http://uk.farnell.com/tenma/21-10115-uk/soldering-station-60w-220v-uk/dp/2064549

 

[Skeeter]

They were all facing the same way up.

Sorry, I meant the wrong way round, not upside down.

For an X quad diagonally opposite motors spin the same way, and you need to put CW or CCW blades on them accordingly.

 

[spookywillow]

What you gonna use it for? Just MC flying/filming?

It will pretty much live on the Tricopter except for the odd occasion I do something else with it, I'm off to collect it all tomorrow....I can't wait

 

[opstrat]

Sorry, I meant the wrong way round, not upside down.

For an X quad diagonally opposite motors spin the same way, and you need to put CW or CCW blades on them accordingly.

Perfect mate cheers. Sounds exactly were I went wrong.

 

[Skeeter]

I did the exact same thing with my X4. Replaced some props, put it down, throttled up and it cartwheeled off the table .

 

[PinkFloyd]

Another option, if it wasn't the motors spinning the wrong way or props - calibrate your Flight Controller to what is level and make sure your radio is zero'd so that it isn't trying to go straight into a roll or similar as you take off From it flipping that violently I'd imagine it's the props/motor though!

 

[d_brennen]

Also worth calibrating ECSs (with props off!)

I've just bought this after realising my standard iron wouldn't cut it:

http://uk.farnell.com/tenma/21-10115-uk/soldering-station-60w-220v-uk/dp/2064549

Looks just like this one

http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/60w-profe...9oWfJ3dLhnpqJz7XFDJUiAANR2oQymPoCsaArD08P8HAQ