I have it in my head that a nice simple groundstation would be a 1.2vrx with a 5.8vtx repeater in a box of some sort mounted on top of an extendable pole. Lastly you'd need a ground spike to put in the ground and hold the pole upright.
I think this would be easier to carry than having everything mounted on a tripod, the fpv box could be removed and put in your rucksack. You could potentially get your vrx much higher as well which would increase your reception.
I've found extendable poles that might fit the bill but most look like they might be a bit flexible. Not seen posts of anyone doing this before so wondering if its been tried by anyone or whether there are good reasons why no one does..
It's not going to be that simple if you're using two frequencies
Also having the video Rx high up won't help at all. All you need is your antenna at a reasonable height. 1-2m is more than enough. 2m if people are going to walk around and potentially get in the way. Unless it's a yagi in which case lower is better!
Most people make their GS far too complicated IMO.
Having the VRX higher up on a pole will certainly give your antenna a bit more clearance from objects on the ground that would otherwise obstruct the RF... such as people, cars, buildings, trees and bushes.
But as you say, the kind of pole you're thinking of is fairly flexible. I've seen people using tall poles, but they're multi piece poles that slot into each other, much worse and annoying to transport than a standard tripod.
Then you have to think about how you're going to power it? will you plug it in turn it on and raise it up on the mast? or will you have a power cable trailing down the mast for the LiPo? will you have to take the mast down every time you want to change the LiPo?
Probably easier just a fly a little higher :)
I use a lighting tripod fixed to a dog spike to hold my yagi aloft when I use it:
(http://www.peely.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/IMG_0185-800x600.jpg)
click for fullsize image (http://www.peely.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/IMG_0185.jpg)
It doesn't get a great deal more height than a standard tripod, maybe a foot or so but is very compact. I'm not sure how much better reception you'd get from a small increase in height, you probably have to go all in an have something like a guyed mast setup to get a noticeably better reception.
Didn't FBS have a lofty antenna setup a few years back?
So yes I know having the vrx high won't improve reception however the antenna is attached to it and having that up high would. ::) The reason for mounting the vrx high as well would be to simplify the setup. To not have cables trailing everywhere, just plonk the box on the pole and erect it.
The battery would be attached to the box on top of the pole as well again to keep it simple at the field.
The lighting stand looks like a good idea.
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How about a telescopic roach pole?
You could use the lower sections which are quite stiff for your mast and bin the rest.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/281949932388 (https://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/281949932388)
I use a 4 metre lighting mast its telescopic the repeater on 5.8 is attached at about the 2 metre mark along with lipo and splitter and the vrx on 1.2 is on the top a cable between them and job done its compact when telescoped down and takes seconds to put fully up I use it more than my diversity set up tbh The 5.8 is very low power hence i keep it above head height.
The cable is not a issue and i can carry it on a sling on my back I use it for the tonka truck and flying.
If you would like a picture i can take one :D
dizzy :)
Hi Dizzy of you have a pic that would be great :) Do you know where you got it from, looking into it a bit they can get very expensive
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Quote from: dp106 on March 15, 2016, 10:57:39 AM
Hi Dizzy of you have a pic that would be great :) Do you know where you got it from, looking into it a bit they can get very expensive
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sorry been away will sort a picture for you and post tomorrow hopefully i got the mast from E bay second hand worth keeping a look out on there :D
dizzy :)
The mast folded for strapping on my back i remove the 1.2 antenna normally for transport ;)
(http://i1073.photobucket.com/albums/w385/dizzyfpvgirl/folded_zpsfjbi9txh.jpg) (http://s1073.photobucket.com/user/dizzyfpvgirl/media/folded_zpsfjbi9txh.jpg.html)
Standing beside our shed I have a splitter plus lipo alarm on the repeater so i can use my goggles direct or plug in a monitor for quests to view or record to dvr for my truck or plane down link.
(http://i1073.photobucket.com/albums/w385/dizzyfpvgirl/standing_zpstcwbyjpl.jpg) (http://s1073.photobucket.com/user/dizzyfpvgirl/media/standing_zpstcwbyjpl.jpg.html)
Mast fully up i normally screw in a ground anchor if windy and strap it down but below 15 mph i dont bother i just hang my lipo bag under it.
(http://i1073.photobucket.com/albums/w385/dizzyfpvgirl/4%20metres%20up_zpsomqqd6kl.jpg) (http://s1073.photobucket.com/user/dizzyfpvgirl/media/4%20metres%20up_zpsomqqd6kl.jpg.html)
It can be made simpler but each to our own for our own requirements
hope this helps ps just noticed the bottom pole section is not all the way up but you get the idea anyway :+
regards dizzy :)
That's brilliant thanks :D
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That thing needs a flashing beacon atop of it!
We would so crash into that!