RC Planes

That vid is seriously impressive. Any links to the kind of equipment/planes those guys used?

Also that looks like a seriously long range on the transmission/receiving side of things. I didn't realise you get go so far.
 
They have GPS, aye, but I think unless you want to make something yourself that works via the mobile network, then it won't be available. I don't think you'd want to anyway.

They have RTTH functionality that means if they lose contact with the transmitter, the plane will automatically head home and either circle in the sky or just land at a given set of co-ordinates.

Lots of people have managed roundtrips into tens of miles, so with the right kit you can do an awful lot. Lots of £££ though. The transmitter/receiver for a long range one (25+ miles) seems to be about £250, then you've got the video tx/rx, on screen displays, GPS, batteries, the plane... plus you need a 'base station' where you have all the receivers set up and a TV/goggles to get the first person view from the plane.

Even then there seems to be a knack in setting it up, so even if you spend £1k on this stuff you're not guaranteed the best results.

Like I say the live feed back isn't HD, just the recordings from the plane. Everything that comes back is rough looking to a certain extent, due to interference etc.
 
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Interesting, though shouldn't it cost a lot less doing it the way im thinking, no need for long range communications or other expensive gear, a mobile phone/dongle connected over the internet to your laptop should do the job surely?
 
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Radiation said:
Interesting, though shouldn't it cost a lot less doing it the way im thinking, no need for long range communications or other expensive gear, a mobile phone/dongle connected over the internet to your laptop should do the job surely?
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I would imagine that requires electronics that frankly do not exist. Yes it might be possible, but most people into FPV fly right out in the countryside where 3g unfortunately is not present. I think the proper long rate jobbies, use UHF. I can imagine you can do it quite cheaply but with a lower range. The tinkerer inside me says that it is much cheaper to make most of the electronics yourself such as the transmitter and receiver. I don't know if that is hard though.
 
Some really intresting stuff going down in this thread, its awakened an intrest to try RC out for myself.

Already picked up a Dx6i with a AR6200 (With booster) from the 'bay (Got a copy of Phoneix Sim with the USB dongle for £140) which I *think* I got a good deal on?

Anyway, the main problem Im having is finding a decent online store that ships to N. Ireland. Tried Hobbyking but since its from China the shipping is outragious (plus several planes/Helis/parts wont ship to the UK/Ireland)

So anyone able to suggest any decent sites/shops? :D
 
busman said:
I take it the setup those guys are using is very expensive?
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You can buy a predone plane that they use for $2k.

http://www.team-blacksheep.com/products/product:3

Though I have seen some do massive range (those people have done 54 miles before from transmitter to plane!). Dragonlink UHF is a popular long range choice. You can get much cheaper kits but you do sacrifice range, it isn't hard to do a 2-5 mile range system however. The skywalker is the current favourite fpv plane due to its massive available space.


Slyboots,

Looked at my list I mentioned before?
www.robotbirds.com
www.alshobbies.com
www.sussex-model-centre.co.uk/
www.giantcod.co.uk
 
Slyboots said:
Some really intresting stuff going down in this thread, its awakened an intrest to try RC out for myself.

Already picked up a Dx6i with a AR6200 (With booster) from the 'bay (Got a copy of Phoneix Sim with the USB dongle for £140) which I *think* I got a good deal on?

Anyway, the main problem Im having is finding a decent online store that ships to N. Ireland. Tried Hobbyking but since its from China the shipping is outragious (plus several planes/Helis/parts wont ship to the UK/Ireland)

So anyone able to suggest any decent sites/shops? :D
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Where in N.I are you? I'm in derry :)
 
Wynthorpe said:
I think there is a lot of restrictions though aren't there? Have to have another pilot attached by buddy lead dont you?
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a lot of the BMFA stuff isnt the LAW
http://www.fpvuk.org/fpv-law/

bottom of that page
you or a competent observer must be able to see the plane at all times and it must not be flown over 400ft are basicly the only restrictions that are any different to regular flying
 
arknor said:
a lot of the BMFA stuff isnt the LAW
http://www.fpvuk.org/fpv-law/

bottom of that page
you or a competent observer must be able to see the plane at all times and it must not be flown over 400ft are basicly the only restrictions that are any different to regular flying
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Fair enough, i know nothing apart from what i have read in the BMFA HB with regards to FPV, I onlt know about large scale aerobatics im afraid.
 
From what I've read with FPV in the UK you are restricted to 2.4Ghz or 5.8Ghz because all of the other frequencies are reserved for other services in the UK and if you use them FPV you will be doing so illegally. The problem with 2.4 or 5.8 you are pretty much restricted to line of site flight because objects between radio and plane can cause interference. Saying that I'd still love to do FPV, especially using a GoPro as the camera.

http://www.fpvuk.org/things-explained/video-frequencies-for-fpv/

You can get FPV, or any rc plane insurance for up to £5million through FPVUK.org
 
Just need to wait for someone to make a 459mhz UHF then at least you would be able to use 2.4ghz for the video, which is better than 5.8ghz. It's a shame, if only we could use 900mhz, would make long distance FPV much easier.
 
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