FPV-project 2005-2007+

[absolute-zero]

I hope this thread will inspire other people, and I hope I can get some help with some of my problems....

http://az-net.dk/projekt/fpv/katana_03.jpg

My Ideer:
Long distance flight
Aerial Photography (My Casio Z750, switch between camera-image in glasses..)
High altitude aerial photography
Visual-flight like a 1:1 pilot...

My project:
Pan-tilt/Camera-unit moveable to other air-planes..
Datalogger installed

Next steps:
Better transmitter/reciever
Home-made video-glasses (one-eye)
Head-tracking system
Flight-stabilizer-system
Video-overlay if possible...
Better camera

http://az-net.dk/projekt/fpv/katana_02.jpg

I have looked at lots of system, and could see a common problem is that the tilt-servo can't take the load from the camera at hard-landings, so I created my own tilt-system. I use a Hitec HS-85BB+ MG servo as pan-servo for a smooth and strong base..

You can see the deflection at the pictures, a longer push/pull-rod could create a bigger tilt-range, but I don't see it nessesary.
Tilting is now done by a slider.

Panning is done by the rudder-stick. Rudder-movement can be done by mixing with aileron, or to the rudder stick.


I haven't made any modifications to the servos, the panning-servo rotate with endpoint at 140% in my transmitter, and I can see the tip-trailing-edge on both wings. (not illustrated)

http://az-net.dk/projekt/fpv/katana_04.jpg

Video of moving-camera (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgnTmdPOrOM&eurl=)

Why I wanted this system in first place
In 1996 I started rc-flying, I wanted to learn it by myself, with help from my father. My father is pilot on 1:1 birds, but he wasn't very helpfull, he needed the visual-effect from the cockpit, and the feelings from the seat. My father stop'ed and I learned it over the summer 1997.
From this time I have always dream'ed about seeing my father flying a rc-plane with his former-missing visual-effect.

http://az-net.dk/projekt/fpv/pc_01.jpg

I started this project in 2005, with fixed camera, and used my laptop as display.

[absolute-zero]

My first question...

My camera is a no-name cam, with 20mW transmitter (YES it is 20mW). I want a 500mW transmitter and a better receiver from range-video i think, but can I use my camera with these transmitters...

http://az-net.dk/projekt/fpv/cam_01.jpg

I can see my camera/transmitter have a white, yellow, red and black wire, and other transmitters receive the same amount of wires and colors.

Can you help?

http://az-net.dk/projekt/fpv/transmitter_01.jpg

[typicalaimster]

Have you tried one of the black widow systems?

[absolute-zero]

No i haven't. Do anyone know what these four wires normal are used for... ??

Here are my guess, but I don't know for sure...
Red (+)
Black (-, and referance-zero to AV),
White (mono-Audio)
Yellow (PAL-Video)

[Hogster]

Your guesses are correct :)

[absolute-zero]

Great thank you, so this mean that I can use any transmitter with this type of connection... without replacing my camera...

It isn't the best camera, but it works.. :o)

[Hogster]

Um in theory yes .... well, those are the industry-standard colours for +ve rail, gnd, video and audio at least ....

[hihptsi]

well you say you want to fly FPV "long distance"if your doing that then your gonna want better equipment right off the bat.IMO when you start Flying FPV it only Makes sense to use only high quality parts and equipment cheaping it could cause you to loose your plane,etc.the margin for error is allot less when flying out,especially out of visual range.

a good CCD camera such as the KX131 and a good transmitter,receiver setup by one of the popular vendors,such as Range video,Bwav,etc.is a MUST.anyone of these are wonderful setups and work really good when used with a higher gain patch on the receiving end.

i Fly fpv and have many many hours under the hood and have had no accidents or close calls.not even a drop out,rock solid performance.

have a good one
Walter

[typicalaimster]

I agree with Walter. I'd suggest spending the extra money and upgrading to a new system. The camera may do for now, however when you fly under the hood you can use any resolution you can get.

[4mla1fn]

...I created my own tilt-system.
clever tilt mount. hadn't seen that approach before.

[VRflyer]

No i haven't. Do anyone know what these four wires normal are used for... ??

Here are my guess, but I don't know for sure...
Red (+)
Black (-, and referance-zero to AV),
White (mono-Audio)
Yellow (PAL-Video)
100% exact, you can plug any tx on the market, it will work. Very good idea you have for the tilt. Do you have a patend :) I know severals of my friends who will love it , welcome on board :)
The best for you is to buy "ready to fly kit" from Range video (500mWtx), you will have the best cam for FPV. Your cam need to be very, very good to beat it, don't judge the quality from the video we made on Video-pilotage(FPV), it's nothing compare to watch the cam ( KX-131) directly plug to TV. Also buy wider lens.
Your planes will be very hard to begin to fly FPV with it, you will lost 50% of your feild of view, it will remain only the sky and few of the ground. The cockpit need to be crystal clear to fly FPV with it, why not installing you cam higher, it will be better, forgot the cockpit.
I presently also working on a similar planes for aerobatic, my planes is the result of years of learning in FPV flying. I checked your planes and I already know, you will not like to fly FPV with it, too hard for beginner.

[absolute-zero]

Thank you for reply on my question...

I will buy a new transmitter/receiver when range-video have it in stock again. I know I need a better camera, I will try to find the money i need, and order the KX-131 too.

I will love to see my tilt-system in other systems, and you are free to use it. :o) Post a picture here if you do, I'm always curius...

The smoked-canopy will be replaced to a crystal clear, but I think I will fly without it..
The camera will be fitted higher. The servo will be fitted with the two screws from top of the plywood, this will lift the cam 7.5mm (0.3 in)...

My system can be fitted inside now 6 of my planes. My first full FPV try will not be in the Katana Mini, but my EasyGlider Electric (Multiplex). I'm a ok skilled pilot and I don't think the Katana Mini will be a problem to fly, but it don't like hard landings... The EPP Easyglider will be better..

The other planes which can hold the system is a 1.2meter Cessna Cardinal, a 3.2meter scale DG600 glider, Wingo, and a Hyperion Chipmunk 10e

[typicalaimster]

Hey A-Z,
We have a new FPV forum. I have asked the Admins to move this thread over that direction. Hopefully we can work together over there and track the progress..

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=469

--Scott

[absolute-zero]

Ok. Nice to have our own place.... I hope the Admins will move this thread to the correct place..

[AndrésMtnez]

What a nice idea for the tilt movement! :)


I have to add a second servo for the tilt, so maybe I´ll copy you :p



Thanks for the idea

Andres

[absolute-zero]

What a nice idea for the tilt movement! :)

I have to add a second servo for the tilt, so maybe I´ll copy you :p

Thanks for the idea

Andres

You are welcome...

A funny thing I have just downloaded your video "Andres1"

[AndrésMtnez]

You are welcome...

A funny thing I have just downloaded your video "Andres1"


I hope you were not downloading it since I post it, too big archive :rolleyes:


That were my first FPV flights, now we are recording some nice air to air, I´ll post them as soon as I´m able to edit

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=615026



I LOVE FPV!!! :D

[Kilrah]

You'll have fun with the Katana.
However, if you don't have experience flying easier planes in FPV, you should be VERY careful. It really behaves like a sport plane, reacts fast, has inertia, needs speed... you need to hold it at all times, and appropriate hard runway with enough approach length required. Not the relaxing week-end plane at all. Very thrilling flying though :)

That load of equipment you intend to put in it (I see 127gr for the photo camera) is heavy for it. Be careful with that too. It's not the most stable platform either. You'll want very small control throws as any mm will have a big effect.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b105/Kilrah/P1200906_s.jpg

[absolute-zero]

You'll have fun with the Katana.
However, if you don't have experience flying easier planes in FPV, you should be VERY careful. It really behaves like a sport plane, reacts fast, has inertia, needs speed... you need to hold it at all times, and appropriate hard runway with enough approach length required. Not the relaxing week-end plane at all. Very thrilling flying though :)

That load of equipment you intend to put in it (I see 127gr for the photo camera) is heavy for it. Be careful with that too. It's not the most stable platform either. You'll want very small control throws as any mm will have a big effect.


Hi Kilrah

I have experience with my Laptop-setup as illustrated. It is your katana-video which inspired my to my Katana setup, but as you can read in the thread I will use this setup in other planes too, and my Katana will only fly with this setup alone. The aerial photography setup with my Casio Z750 will only be used in planes which could carry the weight...

My Z750 are already fixed in the side of my Cessna Cardinal. I will use the FPV system to navigate to the correct spot, let the stabilizer-system fly the plane, and switch the video-transmission to the Z750 so I can se what I'm pointing at on the ground.

[Kilrah]

Oh okay, didn't get that. No problem then, have fun :)
Be sure to use a good quality camera (things go fast when brightness is too off to see what goes on), and keep some speed on landing ;)

[absolute-zero]

I hope you were not downloading it since I post it, too big archive :rolleyes:



I have downloaded the big file yes.. It's no problem with 6Mb connection :D

I had the same problems with the wmv in Pinnacle, but for now I only use avi and PowerDirector. Pinnacle Studio made many weird things...

[absolute-zero]

Oh okay, didn't get that. No problem then, have fun :)
Be sure to use a good quality camera (things go fast when brightness is too off to see what goes on), and keep some speed on landing ;)

Thank you.... :)

I will remember your words....



I can see you guys like my tilt-system therefore I have made a thread for it alone.
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=616536

[Kilrah]

Oh, a thing just came to my mind when seeing that Katana in my room again...
Did you already fly it? If not, you certainly haven't discovered the landing gear's fragility yet. Do NOT attempt to fly FPV without reinforcing it. It's just sufficient for careful normal landing on a hard strip, but even trying to land on grass will rip it off :eek:

If you leave it as is you'll be very likely to strip it on the first FPV landing (they tend to be pretty much harder than usual ones :p ), and it's always easier to work on a clean base before damaging everything then trying to mend broken wood.

What I've done:
- Remove the bottom in the zone shown in red and replace with one piece of 2mm plywood
- Add a second layer of it where the gear gets screwed on
- Replace the M2 bolts with M3 ones, with BIG washers not like the stock ones which will go through the weak sandwich bottom at the slightest effort
- Put some balsa triangle along the joint
- Fix the wheels correctly using a long M2 bolt and 2 nylstop nuts (the stock wheel fitting method is stupid, the effort will be held by the poor and thin wheelpants which are way too weak for it, not mentioning that if you're on grass they will touch the ground before the wheels, which is the reason why I've removed them even if they were adding a nice touch to that beautiful aircraft...

I've waited to have broken the gear twice before doing all this, which meant removing the glue and making a couple of new parts. Since then it has taken some more serious abuse than at the beginning and nothing has moved. Maybe think about getting an extra set of M2 bolts for the wheels, as they will serve as a "fuse" by bending if you do land too hard, they might break if that happens too often.

[absolute-zero]

Thank you for your consern about my Katana.
It have flown lots of flights the last year. I started to reinforce the front and landing-gear-area with 3mm Ply-wood and 1mm Aluminium reinforcement of the motor-mount.

I have earlyer made a higher 2mm Alu landinggear, to make space for my former 13x6" prop.

Hey today is my Katanas birthday.... 1 year old... :-)

[Kilrah]

Okay, no prob again then :)

Might be useful for the next ones... those FPV conversions have sold quite a few of them in my region :p
The look sure has something to do there!

Mine is much younger, more like August :p