FPV GD1 Rx-Tx failure and Crash Landing Vid

[RaySky]

I am hoping that someone can advise regarding Tx/Rx range,
Roll V.T. in the form of YouTube...

GD FPV Down

Bearing in mind i had no audio or OSD feedback of what was happening with the motor so all i could do is watch what was happening as my heart thumped in my chest!
I could see in the goggles i wasn't making headway even though i had dialled in more throttle,
The Vid link was rock solid all the way down to the last fraction of a second before it landed/crashed.

To give more info i have checked on Google maps and i was about 700 mts from launch when the hassle started, i was at constant throttle and when i realised it wasn't moving forward i dialled in more throttle and only cut it when i knew it couldn't be saved,
Its an Orange Full Range Rx and Spectrum DX6i, TBH i was hoping for more than 700 mts from a full range system...
Please tell me your thoughts

Cheers Ray

[Coyote]

From what I see on YouTube it's of no surprise with an Orange rx.

[RaySky]

From what I see on YouTube it's of no surprise with an Orange rx.

Hi Coyote,
Why does it have a five star rating and all who buy it say the range is spot on?
The only people who say its rubbish is the people who cant seem to get the -+s plugged in the correct way
If you have personal experience with it please tell me all about it.

Ray

[Coyote]

I have no personal experience, I walked away from Spektrum a long time ago. That's why I said I see lots of Orange range problems cropping up, on YouTube, other forums etc

[RaySky]

I have no personal experience, I walked away from Spektrum a long time ago. That's why I said I see lots of Orange range problems cropping up, on YouTube, other forums etc

I checked out Youtube and there are not many clips showing short range issues, I also did a general search and I read that most 2.4 systems will give you about 1K range, most range/brown out issues on forums seem to be about 4 years old,
700 mts is probably as good as it could be considering the battery pack was smack bang in between the Tx and Rx also add in the fact my body may have been also directly between the craft and Tx

I am gonna continue using my present setup  :) The orange rx has failsafe setting so I have set it up so the RTH and Motor are the default for getting it back to launch point if the signal is lost,
If it was set up on the flight in question I am sure it would have made its way home and not lost airspeed,
I am also going to have audio connected as I really miss the sound of the motor when its a long way from launch point

Ray

[CurryKitten]

I've no first hand experience, but at the last Mad Dogs, I was watching passenger as YoungFlyers Tek Sumo lost all control at only around 300-400m out.  For 2.4 FrSky is pretty popular for a reason, the range is very good, and the telemetry gives you a good idea if your link is getting bad.

[RaySky]

I've no first hand experience, but at the last Mad Dogs, I was watching passenger as YoungFlyers Tek Sumo lost all control at only around 300-400m out.  For 2.4 FrSky is pretty popular for a reason, the range is very good, and the telemetry gives you a good idea if your link is getting bad.

Cheers CurryKitten that's brill info for the next level of FPV  ;)
I set up the Orange Rx failsafes and went out this afternoon to test and check it completely  :)
It took a lot of nerve to switch off the tx and with finger's crossed my baby came home circling above me  :D

I set the throttle just above cruise and I was surprised that whilst I was flying well within LOS that the failsafe cut in a few times just for half a second ish...
It could be bad tronics location but I have to say my confidence is growing in the equipment and airframe, If it starts to go pear shaped just switch off the Tx and hope it sorts it self out and comes home,
The Vtx link is spot on, it only fades when its directly above me, Yes I would like 3D HD goggles and who knows maybe that is on a drawing board somewhere  ;D

Ray

[ClippedWing]

Glad your RTH works ok!

Personally RTH is the last resort, you shouldn't be having glitches at 300-400m! Maybe you have got your antennas set up in a way its harming your range. I expect a full range receiver to get 1000m (or upto 1500m like my Frsky)

No one is trying to say your receiver is rubbish, just its not great for FPV due to the range issues.

Just because a company are stating is 'Full Range' that could be full range for park flying for example 400m!
I hope you get many enjoyable flights with your FPV stuff, just remember that RTH will let you down at some point, no RTH is bullet proof!

Cheers Ben

[electrotor]

Tx/Rx range is determined by many factors, not least of which is antenna orientation. DO NOT POINT the Tx antenna at the model. The least amount of RF radiation comes off the tip of the antenna, but the most comes off the side. Imagine a donut shape and you will get the idea. All the 2.4 Tx antennae I have seen can be angled at 45 or 90 degrees. I understand there are some Spektrum Txs with fixed antenae but these sets actually have two antennae at right angles to each other.

[Ynot6]

if you choose to stick with orange, make sure you use the DSMX stuff, not the DSM2. give yourself the best chance of success with the kit you have. i'm using a DX6i with my quads, i'll see what it does with my wing when it arrives / when i've built it.

[RaySky]

Cheers All, I am learning bit by bit that FPV is a completely different animal to a LOS craft,
I am at a halfway point between insomuch as I am using what I have to dip my toe into FPV,
Yip I have made the mistake of flying too far and loosing tx/rx signal; I wrongly assumed I would loose Vtx signal long before I lost Rx signal, TBH I have never flown that far away LOS as it would have been a dot in the sky,

The RTH is setup and working perfectly and I am sure lots of purists of the sport would frown on anyone using the RTH function at the drop of a hat, For me its a way to be at ease switching from launch LOS and let my eyes become accustomed to the goggles, in the event I feel uncomfortable with the flight in anyway I will have no hesitation in flicking the switch to use the RTH to bring it home, I see the RTH function more bulletproof than me to continue flying if I am disorientated/lost or need a break to rest my eyes or to simply fly it back to launch point in the shortest route.

I m looking forward to flying at my local costal site when the weather is good, its well away from any wifi interference and my range may increase a little,

Cheers for info and help Ray
 

[ClippedWing]

If your flipping from googgles to LOS...your FPV'ing wrong lol!

Throw it with your goggles on, fly it with your goggles on and land it with them on too! Flitting between the 2 is only going to cause you trouble.

What i'm trying to say about RTH is one day you will flick it and it wont return home (And that statment holds true for ALL RTL systems)

[RaySky]

If your flipping from googgles to LOS...your FPV'ing wrong lol!

Throw it with your goggles on, fly it with your goggles on and land it with them on too! Flitting between the 2 is only going to cause you trouble.

What i'm trying to say about RTH is one day you will flick it and it wont return home (And that statment holds true for ALL RTL systems)

Hi Ben, That's my ultimate aim  ;) and I know one day I will reach that level  ;D
If I had a runway in a remote location with ROG takeoff and landing I would feel much more comfortable with using goggles from start to finish, what I have is a small field that's very over grown so its hand launch.
A typical flight that I am comfortable with is as follows... Hand Launch LOS and take it up to 300 ft ALT then kick in RTH and let it circle so I know its locked in to home, take off my reactolite distance/normal glasses and put on the Goggle box and let my eyes adjust to the light level, when my eyes have adjusted switch off the RTH circling and enjoy 20-30 mins FPV'ing, then switch in RTH take off goggles put on my glasses and let my eyes adjust back and land LOS in the long grass,
It works for me  :D
The alternative is to stand in long grass in the middle of a field for 5-10 minutes wearing a goggle box to let my eyes adjust then fumble to find the tx and craft and try and get it airborne lol
There is a well used bridle path so I don't think it would be too long before someone called the police to say there is a nutta standing in the field with a black box strapped to his head lol

Ray
 

[RaySky]

I am hoping that someone can advise regarding Tx/Rx range,
Roll V.T. in the form of YouTube...

GD FPV Down

Bearing in mind i had no audio or OSD feedback of what was happening with the motor so all i could do is watch what was happening as my heart thumped in my chest!
I could see in the goggles i wasn't making headway even though i had dialled in more throttle,
The Vid link was rock solid all the way down to the last fraction of a second before it landed/crashed.

To give more info i have checked on Google maps and i was about 700 mts from launch when the hassle started, i was at constant throttle and when i realised it wasn't moving forward i dialled in more throttle and only cut it when i knew it couldn't be saved,
Its an Orange Full Range Rx and Spectrum DX6i, TBH i was hoping for more than 700 mts from a full range system...
Please tell me your thoughts

Cheers Ray

I am surprised nobody mentioned the spektrum DX6i has different power settings...
Its as simple as scrolling down the menu and choosing the US setting to double the power output  ;)

I am sure someone will retort that its Illegal and Orange rx is naff anyway

Ray