My Wildhawk FPV/LoS platform

[FPVSteve]

Well, never done FPV before and learning as I go.

I want to be able to detach all of the FPV equipment from my plane for the days when I fancy flying LoS or when it's too windy for FPV, so everything is attached simply, externally, via velcro - that, and there's eff all room inside a Wildhawk for all of the stuff I have on it.

Decided on dual lipo setup and although i've not flown it yet, motor running and servo movement gives zero interferance which I'm happy with for now - let's see what happens when I get it in the air.

Spec:
Hobby King 2.4GHz 10mw transmitter on the plane
Hobby King 2.4GHz ground receiver
ezVision goggles (320x240)
Sony CCD board cam
Turnigy 720p gumstick camera
610mAh Rhino 11.1v 3s lipo onboard
2200 mAh Turnigy 11.1v 3s lipo on the ground

Just got the ground setup to put together in a nice case that I can take to the field really then I can get it in the air.

Thoughts so far? Bear in mind i'm a complete newbie.... total cost so far spent:
£154 (including shipping and the Wild Hawk itself :-) )

Wildhawk FPV Setup

I figure this is my war horse - it's battered and bruised and I can learn before I spend some cash on really nice gear :)

[mark1975]

He he nice music hey looks good what a nice vtx that is ..good luck with the flight and trust me you will need a beer afterwards steve. Enjoy matey..

[Shikra]

Steve - looking good. 148 post and you haven't flown. I had no idea!!

my first one was built dual purpose - removable kit for RC at the club. It never ever came off!!! Some of it is still stuck on outside of plane 2 years later! Don't worry about looks...

[FPVSteve]

Had a rethink...

Changes are:

Repositioned VTx to centre of plane (still no interference from motor :) )
Repositioned VTx / Camera Lipo under the front canopy to assist in nose-heaviness.
Placed FPV "power" connector in fuselage next to aileron connectors for easy disconnection.

Wildhawk FPV Setup Take #2

I like it better.

[Coyote]

Yup the version 2 is much better functionally and practically. Looks good to go mate :)

[Pasty]

now get out there and fly it!! :D

[WSWhitby]

New also to FPV though have a lot of hours under my belt LOS and as you trying to learn "on the Hoof". I have a background in electronics / programming and Control Engineering and so I have a morbid interest in the technicalities of just about anything. Did you say your Tx was 10 mW Looking at your vid I think you may want to check the spec or rating plate again and may be think about your video battery capacity cause if just for argument sake your Tx is 1W that is 1000mW and about about 50% efficient, may be a lot less, it will draw approx 160 mA at nominal voltage of 12v (11.1v from a 3S but higher when fully charged) your camera probably another 250mA may be more. in theory that gives you about 1 hour on a 500mAh battery enough for a long flight, yes if every thing is correct. However we all live in a slightly less than theoretically perfect world, battery capacity +0 -15% even less if not fully charged, Time spent checking before launch 10 min may be, estimates of total video current drawn and of course sods law will all subtract from flight time not add. Good thing is as you run out of "video juice" the quality of your received video should start to deteriorate giving you some indication that a RTL or turn for home is required.
Sent you a private message as some of the stuff contained should not be aired in the a public forum.

Us Rookies must stick together.

Regards

John

[FPVSteve]

Hi, yes it is 10mw hence the low power 610mAh battery, I'll only be flying for ~20 minutes at a time anyway on the Wild Hawk battery pack, so it will be fine :)

[WSWhitby]

 :-[ :-X

Regards

John

[FPVSteve]

I've also ordered one of those HobbyKing EZ OSDs to monitor onboard battery levels in the goggles :)

[est1976]

so when is the fpv maiden?

and did they have those OSD's in stock?

[FPVSteve]

Well, tonight I created my ground station which consisted of all my gear housed in a metal briefcase I picked up from maplins for £20.

I like it although I could have improved it, but not bad for a first attempt:

Layout:


Off and open:


In Use:


:D

[Coyote]

Looks good Steve, very neat :)

[sheep600fx]

Proper job that steve, theyre good cases arent they

[FPVSteve]

Thanks all.

Well, I went out tonight and sadly didn't get any FPV done. The Wildhawk was really struggling. Although the CoG was nose-heavy, the camera on the top of the plane was providing loads of drag above the plane, and it was flying as though it was tailheavy because it was pitching upwards.

Several changes of underpants later (and a strike on the top of a lamp post!!) I landed safely, and stripped all of my gear off piece by piece and yup - the camera was the problem.



So - back to the drawing board. I've now mounted the camera at the front of the plane - theory being that it'll offset the CoG disruption by pitching the plane up when it's in the air, making it fly reasonably level as long as I have sufficient airspeed. And on that note, I *really* need another motor - the brushed one I have at the minute isn't up to the job with the extra weight of the plane with the vtx, lipo and camera on board.

Hopefully where it is now will result in less drag though - dark now however, so tomorrow will be the test.