Shikra's FPV Groundstation

[Shikra]

My GS has evolved a bit over the last few years and I'll probably make up a new tidy one over the winters month, but am pretty happy with it.
Originally built because I was fed up wasting time at the field setting up. Also wanted something to hold all the bits together. Not the coolest looking, but it works for me.


The best bits....
Turn up
One button to power it on
One remote button to start/stop recording


Heres the specs....

Quick release portable case fitted to HAMA 63 tripod containing:-

•Diversity RX ( sorry, removed for photo. Single rx in its place)

•Tracker
 - EZ tracker
 - Power switchable to conserve battery /  use without tracking
 - additional easy access external switch to disable servos only during GPS acquisition

•5 * video outputs
 - One presented externally for connection to goggles
 - One driving LCD display
 - One used by recorder
 - One presented for passenger goggles / second recorder
 - One unused

•7" LCD display
 - bright display for outside
 - handles static well.

•2 * audio outputs (stereo L/R)
  - one L channel used for tracker
  - one R channel used for vario
  - one L+R channel presented for recorders etc.

•Power
 - LCD volt meter
 - Single or dual Lipo power options internal.
 - Typically fitted with 2* 4000mah 3s 11.1v LiPo
 - 2 * 5v supply outputs for recorders / charging / field usb charging)
 - Single master switch
 - Separate power switches for LCD / Tracker / Recorder / 5v outputs
 - Dual low noise  5v 5A UBEC.. Separate BEC for srvos

•Pan/Tilt for tracker
 - Servocity SPT200F Pan/Tilt
 - GWS125T 360deg Pan servo
 - 10KG MG servo for tilt

•Antenna
 - L-COMM 14dbi patch linear
 - Fatshark 5db omni linear

•Recorder
 - FPV-Japan - powered via GS
 - MiniDVR for those special flights


Groundstation controls:-

•The three small black external buttons are for accessing the tracker functions menu.
•The single extrenal black button is to disable power to the directional Patch Antenna – to enable for use with non tracker enabled aircraft.
•The single extrenal AV connector is high quality gold plated unit for for display goggles.
•The internal red button is the main power. Directly powers the rx, 4 way video splitter and LCD
•The lhs internal green button additionally powers the Antenna Tracker via internal 5v UBEC
•The rhs internal green button additionally owers the two 5v power outlets.
•There are dual 5v DC power outlets – typically used used for recorder / USB cable powered devices. One is used to power the Vid recorder
•There are dual video and audio outlets available for recorders / TFT display etc.
•Internally 1 * video and audio reserved for future

[Pasty]

bledy hell!  :o

I put my vRX onto a tripod and plug my goggles into it... I feel so inadequate.

[Shikra]

Now wrong with that mate. No right or wrong..... Whatever works for you.
This is my gear that I can just chuck in the car and covers every type of flying I do. No more turning up forgetting some crucial bit...

I've got to make up another diversity unit and put it on a tripod like your setup. Simple and lightweight for easy carrying away from the car. Pretty much like yours.

[Coyote]

Love it Gary, really do love it. No nonsense but feature packed GS :)

[Dizzy]

 I like your thoughts behind it  :D

what sort of weight is it Shikra?

dizzy

[sheep600fx]

Thats not a GS, Its a transformer in disguise  :o, Very nice

[Shikra]

Diz - Not sure of the weight exactly. It's not real heavy. I would guess 3kg.
All the bits add up. Quite a bit in there really.
Easy enough to carry with the handle. Less so if trying to carry a plane and a tx case too!!

Sheep - LOL. idea behind the case/foldout was to protect all the bits getting bashed around in the car.
What is surprisingly usefull are the top bits that fold down. Ideal for putting all your bits - keys / goggles etc. on
I was going to make that removable, but it turned out a real brucie bonus

[g.collins]

That looks real nice mate, well fault out, but if I was going to go to all that trouble, I would definitely add a Coffey machine. :laugh:
regards G

[Shikra]

LOL. It' stempting to add a small coffee tap and button just for LOLs

[Badlands]

Ive seen this up close & it is very nicely put together.

I think im going to copy your pan/tilt set up G.

Thx for the share.

[Coyote]

Gary, you run the same pan and tilt as me, how much more weight do you think it can take ?

[Funky Diver]

Now that is just sex... at least it's past the watershed :D

[Shikra]

FD - you need to get out more mate!

Coyote - that LCOM patch on the now is very heavy although I have a 10KG servo in it.. It is too much for it really. It's been on there 2.5 years though and seen a lot of flights.
It's my intention to swap it out for a light home made Bi-Quad I have. 

Badlands - thanks for the comment ! I've added the voltage display since. Nice to have piece of mind, but really I only once ever had the low volt alarm come on after a long days flying. Also added the screen this week - real handy for setting up. Added to it now is the FPV-Japan dvr - not bad quality, but I really like the single button press to power it up and start recording...

So I went flying last night and the Romanian  girl from up the road came down and had a go (she's lovely BTW...!). She put the goggles and headtracker on and had a go whilst I watched and did the odd correction from the screen - or visually. She was blown away by the technology - and being able to look around.
It was great to take up a passenger and also to watch of the screen. With the Skywalker and the arduIMU to keep it smooth and level this is a real good setup for that sort of thing.

[Dizzy]

Shikra    See girls do like fpv i,m not alone arrahhhhhhh :P



smug Dizzy :D

[Coyote]

Cheers, yeah i have a much bigger patch but i think its just too much for the servo city rig to throw around tbh