My first UAV, looking for ideas.

[matkix]

Hey everyone!
I feel that I'm about to get started working on a great challenge... I'm building my first UAV!

Intended uses:

Search and rescue. (Photos with gps data)
Live video to base. (500mw tx, and some light camera)
Drop bay. (triggered when the UAV reaches some location)

I currently have the airframe, and transmitter and receiver for the aircraft in its rc configuration. Its a sig cadet sr, with a .50 sized 4 stroke motor. I feel that its the SUV of the rc world.

My questions...

Mostly related to the auto pilot... What system should I use? Build my own...?

I'm fairly computer savvy, great with 2/way comm (have a ham license). Understand flight (I'm working on my Commercial pilots license)

I want an auto pilot that is going to work both day and night, From what I understand gyro is the way to go... over the IR method...


Please anyone point me in the right direction... I'm itching to get my uav project going!

A budget note, I'm tight on funds now so this will be done in stages.... That being said I'm totally into the DIY idea... I would be happy to build my own boards etc...

Thanks for everyones time, and I hope to see your responses.

[UAVeez]

Read every page of this thread. You may want to re-think your idea of developing your own autopilot. If you still want to give it a shot, there is some really good information there.

link: http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=734456

Good luck! :cool:

[matkix]

Well, I want diy in the sense of building my own board, or following a guide on building my own board... for the software I would love to make my own, but I'd rather edit someone else's till I have a better understanding. My reason for diy is cost point, I'm a poor student in flight school.

[macboffin]

Hey everyone!
I feel that I'm about to get started working on a great challenge... I'm building my first UAV!


Intended uses:

Search and rescue. (Photos with gps data)
Live video to base. (500mw tx, and some light camera)
Drop bay. (triggered when the UAV reaches some location)

I currently have the airframe, and transmitter and receiver for the aircraft in its rc configuration. Its a sig cadet sr, with a .50 sized 4 stroke motor. I feel that its the SUV of the rc world.

My questions...

Mostly related to the auto pilot... What system should I use? Build my own...?

I'm fairly computer savvy, great with 2/way comm (have a ham license). Understand flight (I'm working on my Commercial pilots license)

I want an auto pilot that is going to work both day and night, From what I understand gyro is the way to go... over the IR method...


Please anyone point me in the right direction... I'm itching to get my uav project going!

A budget note, I'm tight on funds now so this will be done in stages.... That being said I'm totally into the DIY idea... I would be happy to build my own boards etc...

Thanks for everyones time, and I hope to see your responses. First research the legality of what you propose. Then join the AMA. If you still want to go ahead join Prisoners Anonymous while you can ; you may need their help. If you think a Sig Cadet is a SUV, what do you call a twelve foot Telemaster?

[lankaunicorn]

Hi Matkix,

Look at these projects, you will able to get some ideas.

http://www.rc-cam.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=78
http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Rcap
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=734791


Rgds

[matkix]

First research the legality of what you propose. Then join the AMA. If you still want to go ahead join Prisoners Anonymous while you can ; you may need their help. If you think a Sig Cadet is a SUV, what do you call a twelve foot Telemaster?
I'm so glad you feel you need to troll the forums here. However, I have a us radio licence, plan to get the craft inspected as airworthy under faa law, and am a member of AMA. So please take your smart ass elsewhere.

[matkix]

Hi Matkix,

Look at these projects, you will able to get some ideas.

http://www.rc-cam.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=78
http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Rcap
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=734791


Rgds
Thank you for the links!

[UAVeez]

First research the legality of what you propose. Then join the AMA. If you still want to go ahead join Prisoners Anonymous while you can ; you may need their help. If you think a Sig Cadet is a SUV, what do you call a twelve foot Telemaster?

*deleted comment*

[UAVeez]

I'm so glad you feel you need to troll the forums here. However, I have a us radio licence, plan to get the craft inspected as airworthy under faa law, and am a member of AMA. So please take your smart ass elsewhere.

*deleted comment*

[dmgoedde]

I'm so glad you feel you need to troll the forums here. However, I have a us radio licence, plan to get the craft inspected as airworthy under faa law, and am a member of AMA. So please take your smart ass elsewhere.

I saw humor in McBoffin's response, not antagonism. McBoffin is far away from being a troll here, he IS UAV.

My advice is to go for it and make your own autopilot be it from scratch or a pre made design. Be warned it can be like a drug addiction once you start making things work. I don't shave regularly anymore, and have gained 20 pounds over the last 4 months.

[workshop]

I got Mac's joke too... Look at the number of posts. Matkix hasn't been around long enough to get Mac's humor (same thing happened to me a few hundred posts ago too). :rolleyes:

No fault on either side... we should all get along... :)

Jeff

[_helitron_]

I saw humor in McBoffin's response, not antagonism. McBoffin is far away from being a troll here, he IS UAV.

I fully agree with you, Dean !

Cheers,

//Erwin

[UAVeez]

I got Mac's joke too... Look at the number of posts. Matkix hasn't been around long enough to get Mac's humor (same thing happened to me a few hundred posts ago too). :rolleyes:

No fault on either side... we should all get along... :)

Jeff
Obviously I didn't get it myself, probably because I'm a little protective of people looking for help on this site. If he's known as a good guy then I mis-spoke. *takes foot out of mouth*