Project Cyclops RPV - UAV

[stangboy_gt]

Hello everyone, it's been awhile since I have been on this site. I wanted to share a video I recentley uploaded to YouTube.com and if you have time, please check it out. I am the current project manager for the system, so please feel free to ask questions. Thanks.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fL8rIUkXAco


David :)

[kd7ost]

Very fun project David.

Do you take off and land from within the console or is there a transition to outside for certain parts?

I saw a similar project in an RC modeller mag about 15 to 20 years ago. It was a trainer type aircraft though. I don't recall the details well. Was that you guys too?

Dan

[stangboy_gt]

Totally flown from video, from takeoff to landing. It has a buddy system intergrated into the console in case something goes wrong. The project was started in 1988 and you probably did see it in R/C modeler magazines in the past. The original Cyclops plane was a Robinhood 99.

[Myron]

Hey David,

Cool Project.. Wise thing having a spotter on a buddy box as well!.. Do you have any telemetry under the hood? I have always liked the way the fan trainer looks.

Myron

[sodman12]

Whats the range on that baby?(downlink wise)and altitude. also whats the max speed. it looks like it can really move.

[stangboy_gt]

The best way to transmit video from a R/C craft is to get a code free Technician Class Amateur Radio license or higher. With this license you can run as much as 1500 watts if you really want to on many different bands and modes besides video - voice, digital, through repeaters, satellites, etc., on hundreds of channels - plus you can operate up to one watt on the 50 MHz Amateur band for radio control on up to 18 channels. Real time video and audio is allowed on all the Amateur Bands from 420 MHz up - 902-928, 1240-1300, 2410-2450 MHz and higher. However, 1 watt in the 420-450 MHz Amateur band is usually plenty for up to five miles or 1 watt on the 1200mhz FM Band gives 2.5 miles line of sight for example.(Both systems will exceed the R/C control systems range if you catch my drift.)

[LukeZ]

Ha! I like it! You even have the cool patches on your shirt and everything. ;) :D


Luke

[d_wheel]

Hello everyone, it's been awhile since I have been on this site. I wanted to share a video I recentley uploaded to YouTube.com and if you have time, please check it out. I am the current project manager for the system, so please feel free to ask questions. Thanks.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fL8rIUkXAco


David :)

Stangboy,

Where and how did you obtain Carl's equipment? As you must know, he passed away a couple of years back and his friends have been wondering what happened to the Cyclops and all of the support hardware. I flew as safety pilot a few times. I am sure you can understand how shocked I was to see his pride and joy show up here.

D.W.

[stangboy_gt]

I am his son, and now I'm the current project manager, and trying to keep his legacy alive.

[d_wheel]

I am his son, and now I'm the current project manager, and trying to keep his legacy alive.

Thank you. I am very happy that you are keeping Carl's project going! He was indeed a pioneer in the field and it is a MUST to keep the legacy alive.

Carl and I go back a long way. You might recognize me if we met, but I didn't get to know his family very well and only remember you as a child. If I can be of any assistance, please let me know and I will send you my email address. I would be very happy to act as safety pilot when available. I have a ham license, so can legally operate the equipment.

Best regards;

D.W.

[stangboy_gt]

I think I have seen you in some of the RPV videos in my dad's collection. I would like to thank you for helping my father with everything. Most of the equipment used was early 90's technology, and with today's technology I'm confident the system can be much more simplistic and much more afforable. I have seen 5-10 watt transmitters on ebay which have a range of about 3-5 miles, and I don't think you need a license for them, I have not looked into much. You can send me an instant message with your email on here, I think you can, not sure. Look forward to talking with you.

David

[dalbert02]

Wow, very impressive!

I have a few technical questions if you could answer I would be most thankfull.

1) How do you get 1w of tx power? I've noticed that most Futaba/JR transmitters put out far less. I'd love to get 1 full watt of power from my Tx.

2) What type of anetennas are you using for video (Tx and Rx) and controll (Tx and Rx)?

3) What reciever are you using? I currently use Berg or FMA, but am always looking for something better.

Thanks,

-dave

[stangboy_gt]

Here are some block diagrams of the system, just click the link below to view them. I hope these answer most of your questions.

http://www.bf1982.com/projectcyclops/block.html


David