So the first-person-view RC model community is fearing that their aircraft will be banned under drone laws, so they tell each other to call them "RC model aircraft" rather than "drones." It is just like us calling AR15s "modern sporting rifles."

I am putting one together and here is what I ordered so far:

From 3DRobotics:

SKU Product Options Quantity Price Package Price
IRS-ASY-0002 3DR IRIS 1 $750.00 $750.00
T-2D Tarot T-2D Brushless Gimbal Kit for IRIS 1 $219.00 $219.00
TEL-KIT-0004 3DR Radio Set Frequency: 915 Mhz 1 $0.00 $0.00
RCE-BAT-0006 IRIS Battery Pack 1 $35.00 $35.00
Subtotal: $1,004.00

Shipping: $14.43

Order Total: $1,018.43

From HobbyKing:

2x #258000115-0/49451 Super Slim GoPro 3 A/V Cable And Power Lead For FPV = $3.80
1x #435000053-0/51622 Circular Polarized 5.8ghz Antenna Set (SMA) (LHCP) (60mm) = $12.57
1x #XT60/9572 Nylon XT60 Connectors Male/Female (5 pairs) GENUINE = $3.29
1x #452000001-0/40265 Quanum FPV Ground Station with 8" Monitor and Voltage Display = $174.99
1x #TX_5G8_600/17507 ImmersionRC 5.8Ghz Audio/Video Transmitter - FatShark compatible (600mw) = $69.95
1x #277000007-0/41147 ImmersionRC UNO5800v2 5.8GHz A/V Receiver w/GS-Link - Dual Output = $61.99

PayPal $0.00
Swiss Post Direct Channel 7-14days $57.94
Taxes: $0.00
-------------------
Total: $384.53

Also getting a GoPro Silver or Black, which is $220 or $325 on eBay if you try hard.

Also need about $20 for OnScreenDisplay.

This DVR:

http://www.amazon.com/Mini-Security-Mic ... 62E4AIME7X

So $1625 so far. I will find out I am missing some batteries and connectors soon.

You are a risk to national security... you...you... terrorist hiding behind claims of being a hobbyist.

Reminds me of the Key and Peele episode where "Jack Bauer" was working over a Muslim "Terrorist."

It turns out that his Net activity said that he was a Terrierist and searched for Targets in DC. Because "Target has the best quality for the lowest prices."

He had spoken w the Architect of 9/11, which turned out to be a designer of 7-11 corner stores.

At the end of sketch, just when "Jack" is ready to release the guy, an FBI runs in and says "There's been an attack on the Capital Steps." Jack asks, "Was it dogs?" FBI, "Yeah. How did you know?"

Muslim begins trilling "la-la-la" and shouting, "Praise ABBA! Praise ABBA!"

You fly it from the perspective of the aircraft? Is the range of a persistent video data-link the same as a standard RC controls?

TROOPER wrote:You fly it from the perspective of the aircraft? Is the range of a persistent video data-link the same as a standard RC controls?

A: Yes. B: 2km range of Pilot Eye View.
http://www.dpcav.com/xcart/5.8GHz-Audio ... 600mW.html
"The operating distance will depend on the environment, installation, and other factors. FPV (mobile) applications will perform best with circular polarized antenna systems rather than the provided dipoles. For example, upgrading to a SpiroNet antenna on the transmitter and a +5dBi Circular Polarized Patch antenna on the receiver can provide up to 2000 meters range in wide open line-of-sight environments. Obstructions and interference sources will severely reduce its range."

Yes, you see as if you were in the aircraft. You can even get head-mounted goggles with a head-tracker than allows you to look around (actually tilts the camera like Blue Thunder). I didn't get that because I think a screen has more benefits in the real world, like multiple people seeing it, you being able to see the craft and other people around it, and just not being blinded of the outside world).

This is what you can expect:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7nQRzzcntY


I didn't get the DUO diversity receiver as it was 4x the price of the UNO, but maybe I should.

I have done it and it freakin' rocks, WR74.

silencertalk wrote:...
This is what you can expect:
...

I like it. Looks like it would be useful for spotting game.

Just too many other things I need to spend money on before I get to it. But I will happily follow your progress.

I have a Phantom Vision 2.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTbSY1u ... cVPB0Ql4Fw

My laziest use so far is to send it 500 yards down range, have it hover in front of a target while I make zero-in corrections.

Two years ago, I got a General Ham license.

Last summer I got into FPV as well. Here my baby quad drone. 2.4Ghz and 1.3Ghz video.

Also have a large, long range (10~20 mile) fixed wing FPV rig too! That one use long range UHF and 1.3Ghz too. Built an antenna tracker too this weekend.



I have not had time to fly my fixed wing out to distance, the most I have done is about 3 mile trip. But she can loiter for 45mins to an hour, depending on how throttle happy you get and winds of course...

All that sure looks like a lot of fun, even for spectators. I always enjoyed watching people flying model planes and 'copters and hogs rooting.

Some years back some folks here in Fla. tried to get model airplane flying banned, afraid it might start fires, but nothing ever came from it.
It seems there's always someone who wants to keep others from having fun.

I'm building a fixed-wing FPV plane. It's been several months and given the small intervals that I get to work on it, it'll be several more months before it's airborn.

Skywalker 168 airframe
RVOSD autopilot
1.3Ghz video with circular polarized antennas
Dragonlink UHF radio for control on a modified Turnigy 9X

renegade wrote:My laziest use so far is to send it 500 yards down range, have it hover in front of a target while I make zero-in corrections.

Hmm $1000 is cheaper than some of those wireless range camera solutions I've seen.

doubloon wrote:

renegade wrote:My laziest use so far is to send it 500 yards down range, have it hover in front of a target while I make zero-in corrections.

Hmm $1000 is cheaper than some of those wireless range camera solutions I've seen.

With your ham license, you can put a range camera together (and use it legally) for a fraction of that. This whole FPV thing was one thing that drove me to finally get mine.

Are you the only one who does FPV with a license?

10-20 miles is so impressive. I am in awe. Antenna trackers are cool.

Libertarian_Geek wrote:...
With your ham license, you can put a range camera together (and use it legally) for a fraction of that. This whole FPV thing was one thing that drove me to finally get mine.

No ham license, been putting it off but you've given me something to look into. The notDRONE has a certain cool factor but practicality almost always wins for me.

I was not planning on getting a Ham license, but I just took a practice exam and got 26 out of 35, which would have passed - and that was with no reading or studying. So I may as well schedule the exam, and pay the $15 for 10 years.

http://aa9pw.com/radio/technician/

I don't call them drones either, I call them moving targets

Haven't had any problems with them yet, but I do like the idea of a "tool" to take them out without braking any gun laws. A jammer with a good directional YAGI perhaps? Still, I do prefer anything ballistic..

Why a GoPro and another camera?

If you jammed the one I ordered, it will just autopilot back to me. You would have to jam the GPS also.

W a highly directional antenea, narrow bandwith and low power emission; would a Ham License even be needed? (for 1km range camera for spotting shots on paper)

silencertalk wrote:Are you the only one who does FPV with a license?

No. A lot of HAMs use their license for FPV flight and long range control of their fixed wing vehicles.