Telem and Video kit?

[RamThis]

Is there a beginner's kit for personal UAV's that would include a TX and RX that told you altitude, airpseed, RPM, GPS location, and a video link, that possibly has the telemetry readings overlayed on a screen? If so, would it be viewed over a laptop or just on a TV Monitor?

Not really looking for an autopilot, just a good telemetry system and video feed with a solid downlink, possibly for flying by the video feed only. Id like to practice take off and landings from video and guages only, no personal visual of the aircraft.

Also, what price range would I be looking at, and what size plane would haul it best?

Thanks.
Robert

[CenTexFlyer]

Wow,

I've been working on UAV's for about four years now, and your request for help with a "personal UAV" just struck me! Amazing isn't it? We've come along way, and are going to go lots further!

So, on to your query.... I'd check up on Eagletree and their telemetry systems. They've just upgraded to GPS so it could be a pretty comprehensive package. There are several add on video options that are pretty light weight and easy to come by.

Gene

[RamThis]

Yeah, I used to build and fly UAV's myself for S-Tec corporation, and never in my wildest dreams did I think there would be a way for the common RC pilot to afford a way to do what we were doing there. But, that was about five years ago and in just that time, electronics have gotten so much smaller and more affordable. The progress in electronics is staggering.

Anyways, I will look into that. Would LOVE to get to fly by the "base station screen" like we did at S-Tec.

BTW, the one we flew out there was the Sentry STM5-B. Sweet little machine!

[djklein21]

I just bought a complete UAV telemetry system from eagle tree, the GPS hasnt shippdyet but the system is really easy to use.

[lvspark]

The sky-spy is a nice little board. Beside the onboard sensors, the gps just plugs right in... If you want something added or changed on the OSD, they were willing to mod mine before shipment...Seemed like nice guys to work with.

http://www.sky-spy.bigstep.com/Images/TL100boardonly.JPG

[Myron]

Mike,

What TX/RX do you run that unit with? Maxstream?... I just sent my Eagletree system back for the GPS upgrade and I hope to maiden a new bird this weekend with the GPS/telemetry system and my 2 camera mux'ed video system...

Myron

[lvspark]

This is a video overlay only, and it does not transmit serial data at all.
It has built-in pressure sensors for alt, airspeed, rpm, voltage and also displays gps info on the screen. This is a HUD of sorts...