Tricopter FPV

Got my eagle eyes system mostly back up and working, including a new addition, the guardian stabilization module, which should fix a lot of my questionable RTH functions. But in the mean time, I wanted to begin getting just basic video FPV only working with my tricopter. Finally seem to have a pretty good setup working with the copter, and it seems pretty stable. I've been practicing on the simulator with heli's and quadcopters too, so maybe that is helping, but it seems a lot more predictable.
I tried to get my Fatshark 2.4GHz video with a 40mW VTx working on the copter, but it wasn't good enough to even go much over 60 feet without losing signal. Might be because I strapped it right on close to an ESC on one of the arms, but there are a LOT of ESC's...I also was trying to run 2.4GHz spread spectrum radio control at the same time, as I really dislike the 72MHz for servo jitter and interferance, and this 2.4GHz stuff is bullet proof. Anyway, it didn't hurt the control running them both on 2.4GHz, but I can't believe the VTx (which isn't on a rotating freq) was helped having to compete. 72MHz didn't help it much though, and I've just got in a 500mW VTx along with some matched cloverleaf antenna's from Tim at Ready Made RC...so we'll try that out and see if it helps... Lots to do!

First flight on Tri/Quad Y4 copter

Got it all finished up yesterday, in spite of minor board problems with my Hobby King v2. LED lights are really cool at night on it. I've gone through more props than I care to count right now. Been playing with different sizes, and I need to re-engineer my back motor mounts, because they are a bit flimsy and it has become obvious that running these motors with anything less than 10x4.7 is point less. The motors don't make any more thrust after about 60% throttle, and that is what is responsible for my rear swaying uncontrolled (like the gyro isn't responding...it is, the motors just aren't). alt

Start of new tri-copter

Just got the first part of the center plate cut out and drilled from 0.060" Aluminum stock. Not sure that is going to be great for radio reception or FPV, but I'll get something better later. Going to try to make this a V-tail Y4 copter, I think...at least first. That skips the need for a rear servo for yaw. Similar to this basic config, anyway. MultiWii copter V-tail does better control, but that isn't airframe specific.

Tricopter work

Just ordered a bunch of parts to build a tricopter to begin to put FPV on it. This field has come a LONG way in just a couple months, and hopefully, I can get some time on this and begin to get back into my FPV stuff with this as well as on the longer range EZ*. Will keep you updated. For now, thanks to Toby, my new next door neighbor, who needed some help with his build and just required a simple wire swap, we tried out a quick flight.

Long time away

Figured I'd post an update here. I've been busy with being a parent and work. Got new goggles still haven't even tried out (fatsharks). I've got the latest FW updated on the ET OSD Pro and am working on getting the GoPro HD into a new EZ* airframe...hard to get motivated...

Fat Sharks!

Got my Fat Shark wireless 2.4GHz goggles in from the Memorial Day sale from Range Video. Excited to try them out, but I have been very distracted with work and weekends at the cabin, so haven't had time to rebuild my EZ* fuse or even try these out with any setup. I also go the GoPro HD camera in and need to figure out how to put it in the EZ*. I'm very tempted to just try to work it into the system as my primary camera too using the USB power hack...

Going HD...

Well, I ordered a GoPro HD camera for my plane last weekend from Amazon.com. This is a pretty good 1080p/30fps or 720p/60fps HD camera that records to SD card in MPG4 and has a light lion battery and waterproof case plus a ton of helmet and vehicle mounts.  Planning to run it as a separate feed/local recorder for now. There is talk that they are planning to have a FW update that will allow it to output composite standard def video while recording HD, which would be AWESOME (there are some tricks to being able to do this now, but it isn't real friendly).

Ahhh, the rain...

Flew last night and last Monday (it was >30mph then). It was really green last night and I got a flight in at 7PM between rain storms, and pretty calm. I put a gyro on my roll to see if it would help stabilize some of the pitching (it works ok, but need to dial the gain a little). I think I’m exceeding my BEC for the receiver, with the gyro, all the servos and the OSD. I kept getting dropped throttle, then it would go into failsafe, and was only about 150 yards away…RTH saved my butt a couple times and powered up, then I got connection again. Happened Monday too. This eventually lead to a crash. Further research on this lead to this FAQ that points out that it is a low Rx battery warning...well, that answers that. Didn’t get video from Monday, but flew really low over the Falcon Creast GC. Kept the motor slow to not disturb the putts. Grin.

WINDY!!!!

Went out today and tried out the new filter on the video Tx antenna. It didn't help, but I think the cheap HXT servos are just picking up noise from it. Also tested out the gyro on the roll axis for the ailerons, which is set a little too aggressive on the response. Too bad I forgot my sony miniDV recorder. I also got the pitot tube airspeed kit in. Worked MUCH better than the GPS speed, especially with the wind, which was gusting up to 25-30mph. I got a couple low flights over the golf course, and the return to home saved my butt when I was a little low and lost radio transmission...fortunately the motor powered back up and it climbed to where I could get reception again. Also got one of the cheap head trackers, but didn't have a chance to try it. The 3600mAh 3S lipos are heavy.

Ahhh...the fog...

Took the plane up to the cabin to try some scenic mountain flying. I've been waiting to get a better distance and practice before trying in trees and tough recovery locations, like mountains and dense trees. Well, with the last couple flights and testing out the eagle eyes diversity and antenna tracker, and with spring setting on, I figured it would be a good time to try. So, packed it all up. I always forget something, but it is better now with a dedicated tote box of stuff. I still forgot any way to recharge the futaba 9CAPs, but made due. Well, Saturday morning hit, and there was a dense fog (typical in Cascade, ID) from all the snow melt and warm weather coming after a chilly night. It stays low in the valley and can be pretty spectacular when I've rode my dirt bike up the ridge to get above it. So, I wanted to see if I could get video.