FPVUK E-Mail ... Safety Sheet for Drones bought from shops

[Coyote]

That's you kindly made up the legality post for the noob section, so it's in one place as a great reference on the forum as the FPVUK site one often gets overlooked

[skyscraper]

Hi Eric, I will add more details no problem.

We are 2000 new topics down already this year, we normally post 8000 topics per year. That means so far a 25% drop in new topics alone.

We are 100 online daily members down, normally it is 230 so that's just shy of a 50% drop which means half the regular members have now gone.

I understand all your points of view by the way and find them all valid. I'm just trying to get across that the rule posts have had a detrimental affecton the forum.

To try and see where I am coming from, think about it like this :

A member gets blasted on their videos, they go elsewhere. The flying does not change, the member does not change. The responses had no effect on that person other than making them feel uncomfortable posting here.

The noob member comes on. They ask about a setup using an illegal transmitter. The response is "You can't use that" "You can't fly that far away " etc etc etc Does the member then go out and buy a 25mW transmitter, use a spotter and fly around a field in circles due to the advice ?

No, they log onto FPVLab / RCGroups, they get the answers and fly how they wanted to all along. Advice from here ignored, member no longer uses the forum.

hmm that sure Sounds like me   :o .. I do recommend using a 25 mW 5.8GHz transmitter, but then Ive spent a lot of time trying to get so that I can use legal gear with good performance ( eg with my antenna tracker)  So if I have taken the trouble to try doing it right, why should I put up with the lazy F#ers that cant be arsed ?   (Who prob amount to 99.9 % TBH , but you have to start somewhere !)

Ive done it. Ive shown you how Ive done it so reckon Ive done enough to justify telling people to use legal Vtx!!!!

Anyway Coyote, It really sounds like you arent too happy with FPVHUB at the moment? I dunno what to say about that. I realise you put a lot into it,  and its not good if you arent getting what you want out.

Maybe need to meet up with your people and sit down and thrash out what to do about it ?

regards
Andy

"Avoid success at all costs"  Simon Peyton Jones

[Coyote]

Hi Andy, that was not an example of anyone in particular mate, not aimed at anyone. It's what actually happens. Everyone tries to do what they think is right. But it will be ignored or only the answer someone wants to hear will be listened to. If they hear too many answers that they don't want the hear often enough they just move on to where they don't, the end result is nothing was gained.

That's why I was / am going to put all the legal bits on one section instead of thrown around everywhere and then people willing or wanting to learn of fly by the guidelines have them as a clear reference all in one place.

[electrotor]

Thanks for posting the actual numbers Coyote.
Whilst not exactly dwindling to nothing I can now see the real drop you are referring to in perspective.
Mercifully the blasting and counter-blasting has now ceased and I think the forum is better for it, even if the numbers are down. And I take your point about flyers who do not want to act legally going elsewhere, but I for one could not be part of a forum that actively encouraged this kind of activity. If some flyers are determined to ignore what the advice given and even react badly to this being pointed out, then let them go elsewhere and get support for their kind of flying.
All of the above does not mean that FPVHUB is squeaky clean and that all the other forums are wildly irresponsible but surely it is better for the hobby to encourage responsible flying and discourage the type that could see FPV being stamped on by the authorities.
And finally (hopefully) thank you for all the work you put in as a moderator on this forum. More people appreciate it than you realise.  :)

[skyscraper]

That sounds good to me. There is an important debate to be had about legality in UK especially as time goes on so I hope it can be managed on FPVHUB somehow, in a way that people can opt out etc. Maybe that section can be moderated differently.  I think its possible to have different levels of moderation per section, so you know on that section bad language, insults etc wont be tolerated, so it doesnt decend into a slanging match or a free for all, and people can be ruled off topic more esaily etc)

I cant compare FPVHUB with the other sites since I dont go on them much, but  its prob part the way it is since it started out as FPVUK which was trying to be voice of FPV in UK, so those members with that in mind are still around.

regards
Andy

[CurryKitten]

I've definitely noticed that the forum just seems quieter lately, it's not something I can put a solid number on, it's just that feeling - especially when you see shoutbox looking the same as 2 hours ago when you last checked.

There's a balance somewhere isn't there.  I think *almost* everyone is of the opinion that flying over people/houses/cars/London landmarks/blackpool tower could end up with really serious consequences and shouldn't be encouraged at all.

Then again, I also don't think we can encourage new flyers to buy a 25mw VTX and fly 100m circles around themselves under the scrutiny of an observer that might grab the controls off them at any point.

So I'm very much for the "hey, I'm not your Mum" policy, where as long as you are not being stupid, then post away.  Of course, you need to be accountable for anything you do, so if the CAA/OfCom want to have a word with you, then that's down to you.  I think that you can safely - Fly on your own/Out of LOS/Above the clouds - although all of these depend on the circumstances.  Letting people post it without commenting some of the more obvious infractions of the rules doesn't condone it, but neither does it condemn.   As Coyote said, people that do this (and I include myself in this) don't stop doing it just because someone points out it's not by-the-book.

I'd hate to see this forum fizzle out, when I stumbled across it a few years ago (although under it's original name) wondering how to finish my first build - I got loads of help and advice about what to do and things to try.  It spurred me on and made me feel part of a community.  That's the feeling all new members should get.

[Ynot6]

i've noticed that the forum is a little quieter than in the past, but having recently joined another one, i can tell you that this one is still very lively! as for myself, i fly as legaly as i can, 25mW, spotter, permision. i don't have the kit to record, nevermind the know how to post. but it will come, eventualy. i may have a little more VTX power should i FPV my newly aquired wing, but not much.

[Heliotrope]

Talking of legality, this guy seems to have an interesting take on the law.

http://www.fansnetwork.co.uk/football/blackburnrovers/members/Dynamic3D/posts/

[RaySky]

I need to chime in on this topic, I was the new kid on the block and didn't know my vtx from my vrx lol, one of the topics i started was "Lets Be Honest about Vtx Power" I had no idea what to do regarding buying a Vtx that would suit my requirements. With the help of the members on the hub i now have a lots of FPV flights under my belt.
Lots of people have made a very important point insomuch as its about how you enjoy the hobby/sport of FPV flying; it's down to each individual to be as sensible, professional and evaluate all the hazards and dangers.
Today i was flying at a beech and not many people there... i would loved to have done some low level fly-bys but i could see the dangers of trying it!
I watch YouTube clips on the hub and think to myself there is NO Way i would fly so close, that far or above in that way because i don't have that level of skill, It's for this reason i don't make comment either good or bad!

I came onto the Hub and continue using the hub because i get good advice and yes i get comments and advice that didn't fit into my view of what i want from flying FPV BUT it has been brilliant advice from people who care and love FPV Flying.

I can only speak for myself... If i fly in a safe and caring manner and within the guidelines set by the CAA regarding areas and location and heights and my only transgression is Vtx output then i am close to "Being as Correct as Possible" Hub members pointed out that it was better to retain a good solid Vtx-Vrx illegal link than to lose a legal vid link within LOS.
I would like to thank those who advised me to purchase a 200mw VTX And everyone else who has helped me reach where i am today

Regards

Ray   

[BigT]

Seems to me that 200mw is just as outlaw as 600mw


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[Heliotrope]

This is a very good article which I think is well worth reading before going out and buying a powerful Vtx. Buying a very powerful Vtx is very much an American way of doing things IMO! I would suggest getting a really good receiving station set up first with a 25mw Vtx then review the situation.

www.fpvuk.org/things-explained/vtx-power-and-range/

[skyscraper]

Seems to me that 200mw is just as outlaw as 600mw
[...]

Though both technically illegal in (soon to shrink!) UK , there is an important difference. The intent of the law is to minimise interference to other users of the band. The lower power transmitter should cause interference over less geographical area, thus pissing off less other users of the band and meaning you are less likely to be getting reported to ofcom.

IOW the difference is practical rather than legal

regards
Andy

[BigT]

Transmission and rx  on 5.8 is very limited. A few wifi (virgin offer it on the new broadband hub) and you would need to be almost on it to be a problem.
I changed my laptop to 5.8 and put the vtx in the middle of the 2 and it had no effect.

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[skyscraper]

Transmission and rx  on 5.8 is very limited. A few wifi (virgin offer it on the new broadband hub) and you would need to be almost on it to be a problem.
I changed my laptop to 5.8 and put the vtx in the middle of the 2 and it had no effect.

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Wifi is prob smart enough to work around interference.

Have you thought about the effect on legal FPV flyers?    :laugh:

Sadly This discussion is so reminiscent of the old days of on  MHz RC gear and getting d#ckheads turning on in the car park to see what channel everyone is on. They just couldnt see what was wrong since it was uch more  convenient  than walking to take of area and had no effect on them personally :laugh:

regards
Andy

[BigT]

I dont believe there is a case for that argument.  If the skies get so crowded with little fpv models flying from different sites that we then we will have more FPV ers than MAMIL's (middle aged men in lycra), my personal nemesis.  Or shotgun certificate holders. RC is not a mass have that issue sport or hobby in Europe or any where else I can think of.  With 27 meg it was illegal CB radio that ballsed it up. With 35 meg it was immediate interference from other club members or badly installed brushed leccy motors or spark ignition motors not the club next door.