For my first post I will be starting off with a long prolonged project essentially consisting of an Remote controlled plane, a video Transmitter and receiver, and a GoPro what some would call a relatively simple system. I have learned a lot on this project including that an FPV system isn't relatively simple. Before I explain the system I will first give you some background. In 2010 I began to research the use of RC planes for video capture after the launch and unsuccessful retrieval of a rocket containing a camera. I was amazed at the impressive camera angle you could get when in the air. Upon receiving the news that we would be going to South Africa to visit family I proceeded to order all of the parts necessary to get a great video of Table Mountain:
My Grandfathers Picture above Via Helicopter
The items needed for FPV (First Person View) Flying are:
A suitable FPV plane and remote control
A video transmitter and receiver (used for live video feedback by which you fly the plane)
A camera mounted on the plane
A ground station with either video goggles or a monitor
A video recorder of some sort
I ordered all parts from Hobby King, a very economical, but slow shipping supplier of anything RC.
The list of parts is as follows:
After all these parts were ordered they were sent to both Africa and America, because of transportation issues. Although the parts were very late I managed to put things together an a fairly short amount of time.
At the local park in SA I thought everything was working wonderfully all of the Leds on the equipment indicated that I should be getting wonderful shots anytime now. Once I put on the FPV video goggles I found that this wasn't going to be as easy as I thought. When connecting the FPV camera to power I failed to notice a small 5V label in the cameras instruction manual and promptly joined the cameras power connector to 12V. I then powered the transmitter up and connected the antenna (a big no no, make sure your antennas are connected before you power up or your Transmitter will be fried).
Now with a very expensive center of gravity balance weight in the plane I decided to fly the plane anyway. Frustrated with just flying the plane in the park I removed the electronics, which had stir fried, and put in my mom's old camera. This is the only footage of SA that I was able to retrieve:
I will not quit though, Part 2 will detail the journey this summer from the ground to the air.
When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it -Henry Ford.
Thank you for reading this far! It means more than you know! Email me your address and I will send you something for free in the mail.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1N3RgW_TrW1cgliYmjm7Zh0MATcF6BKsPrtTlCv2s8dc/edit?usp=sharing
Arriving at one goal is the starting point to another.
-John Dewey
