Dragon Link UHF system

[Flyn]

No problem Ron,

433 for rc control is illegal here but unsure about telemetry as its not a control system, you can use it to transmit voice so why not data??

Yes 459 is uk legal rc control freq.

[Flyn]

I forgot to ask Ron, why are you going back to 35mhz?

It would seem a shame to buy telemetry kit twice, why not stick with 2.4 control & tel & start buying vtx/vrx etc.

You don't need goggles right away you can get 7" 12v screens for about £30 on ebay (or less), then when you have the video kit you can get osd with telemetry for about £50 & then move back to 35mhz still keeping all your vtx/vrx screen & osd & not having to buy a second telemetry unit etc.

Sorry I dont mean to tell you how to do your hobby, it's just me - I hate to buy stuff twice over.

[Flyboysee]

It's about about making an informed choice, some people may wish to fly totally legally, others may just want the most powerful vtx they can get for as little as possible & to hell with the law.

But with a info page or datasheet at least they could make an informed choice & have all the relevant data to hand.

Like when I started I didn't know that the foxtech/BEVRC kit transmitted outside the uk 5.8 bands or what power levels I could use. It may not be helpful for you but it might help someone on their near vertical learning curve that is FPV. Then they can choose weather they want to buy 25mw or 600mw, or import a cheap chinese vtx whilst being fully aware of their decision.   

To be honest I think the levels are too low & in fact cause more of a danger than using a higher power vtx would, as 5.8 dissipates quite quickly at range it wouldn't effect anyone if you use more power.

For most people it's not about max range - it's about link quality, more power equals better video link which equals safer flying with no video loses & crashes etc etc....

Flyn, you never really answered my question about what you were using, but that aside, I'm not sure it's right to suggest gear (or appear to) based on recitation of the 'law' to a newcomer to FPV. If we were all to follow that to the letter (and I suggest you're not) as well as 99.9% of us here, then we would not be able to enjoy any worthwhile flying.

My suggestion to newcomers is try and hook up with a local FPV'er who does it right. Be prepared to build up your system slowly, but buy the right gear first time. Fly under an experienced flyers guidance to build your confidence and learn the pitfalls that will quickly get you out of the game, after losing money.

UHF (Dragon Link in my case), 600mw VTX, CP antenna's and patch and a well set up plane and AP / OSD are essentials to successful FPV.

2p from me!

[Coomkeen]

Yes, good point about 433.

And, having more thinking time, you are right about staying with 2.4 until I get VTx etc. set up.
And a cheap screen would do it to start with.
Presumably, even if I didn't have a camera to start with, the screen could display the telemetry.

I suppose I've had a few experiences over the years where 35 has kept control even when los has been lost (like over the back of the slope), and last year the same scene happened on the slope with 2.4 but the rc 'lost it' (the tx was beeping) and the electric glider buried its nose in a bog.
Lucky it was a bog, not a rock.


Ron

EI8GMB - G6IWK
www.bandonmodelflyingclub.com

[Coyote]

So are you talking of a sort of flow chart setup with if you choose (A) then x,y and z will work with it ? Then if you choose (B) what products you would have to use to be compatible with that choice ?

One version for staying legal, the other for not ?

[Flyn]

Yes, good point about 433.

And, having more thinking time, you are right about staying with 2.4 until I get VTx etc. set up.
And a cheap screen would do it to start with.
Presumably, even if I didn't have a camera to start with, the screen could display the telemetry.

I suppose I've had a few experiences over the years where 35 has kept control even when los has been lost (like over the back of the slope), and last year the same scene happened on the slope with 2.4 but the rc 'lost it' (the tx was beeping) and the electric glider buried its nose in a bog.
Lucky it was a bog, not a rock.


Ron

EI8GMB - G6IWK
www.bandonmodelflyingclub.com

I think it would be good to do that with a cheap screen, it might work just displaying the OSD, I must say I've not tried it, but you can get cameras for about £20, it wont be great but it'll get you going & wont cost a lot to replace if you crash.

Yes that is a drawback with 2.4 - it doesn't like obstacles too much. But all systems have pros & cons, 2.4 wont ditch your plane if someone else switches on a 2.4 rc tx next to you, whereas the 35megs can if using same crystals (as I'm sure you know), you will get slightly more range from a 35mhz system though.

Also if you use 2.4 & have a osd with autopilot RTH the plane will bring itself back into RF range, all you gotta do is sit & wait.

[Flyn]

So are you talking of a sort of flow chart setup with if you choose (A) then x,y and z will work with it ? Then if you choose (B) what products you would have to use to be compatible with that choice ?

One version for staying legal, the other for not ?

Hi Ian,

that sounds pretty cool, if thats easy to do?

You could put on pro's & cons with your choices & any legalities & also maybe links to trusted suppliers?

I tell ya, I would've killed for such a resource when I was starting out.

[Coyote]

It can be done, but as soon as you get past the first decision the options get more universal and it will snowball. I`d have to have a think of how to do it so its more manageable and bite size but yeah it could be done

[CurryKitten]

Coyote, I think back over on fpvuk.org there was always several sections dedicated to what frequencies were allowed, what was legal and what the pro's and cons were.  These, I thought were useful, but people still seem to be unsure of how to put a system together, and the common phrase seems to be "I don't want to go far, just a few miles at first"

I thought it might help to see examples of what people are flying - why they put it together that way, and the results they are getting.  I don't think it's black and white enough to say legal/not legal.  As if I said "give me a legal setup", there's still many choices to make in terms of different setups.  I tend to think that people make up their minds based on the setups and results other people get, rather than knowing all the facts and independently going off and doing things.

[Flyn]

It's about about making an informed choice, some people may wish to fly totally legally, others may just want the most powerful vtx they can get for as little as possible & to hell with the law.

But with a info page or datasheet at least they could make an informed choice & have all the relevant data to hand.

Like when I started I didn't know that the foxtech/BEVRC kit transmitted outside the uk 5.8 bands or what power levels I could use. It may not be helpful for you but it might help someone on their near vertical learning curve that is FPV. Then they can choose weather they want to buy 25mw or 600mw, or import a cheap chinese vtx whilst being fully aware of their decision.   

To be honest I think the levels are too low & in fact cause more of a danger than using a higher power vtx would, as 5.8 dissipates quite quickly at range it wouldn't effect anyone if you use more power.

For most people it's not about max range - it's about link quality, more power equals better video link which equals safer flying with no video loses & crashes etc etc....

Flyn, you never really answered my question about what you were using, but that aside, I'm not sure it's right to suggest gear (or appear to) based on recitation of the 'law' to a newcomer to FPV. If we were all to follow that to the letter (and I suggest you're not) as well as 99.9% of us here, then we would not be able to enjoy any worthwhile flying.

My suggestion to newcomers is try and hook up with a local FPV'er who does it right. Be prepared to build up your system slowly, but buy the right gear first time. Fly under an experienced flyers guidance to build your confidence and learn the pitfalls that will quickly get you out of the game, after losing money.

UHF (Dragon Link in my case), 600mw VTX, CP antenna's and patch and a well set up plane and AP / OSD are essentials to successful FPV.

2p from me!

Sorry mate, thought I did, posted I can get about 1/2 mile max with my 16dbi patch & tracker on 5.8. The ZII flies on spekrtum 2.4 for christ sakes, I aint going far! I fly at my local bmfa club most of the time, & when I fly FPV there I try to keep everyone sweet & not give them any ammo against FPV so I use 25mw.

You misunderstand my posts, they were to make any newcomer aware of the countries legalities of using this kit not tell them they need to use low powered kit! It is totally up to them to what they choose to do with that information, use it or ignore it & I clearly mentioned more powerful kit that is available to them but that this kit is not legal here. A quick google search will provide them the relevant links to buy this kit, but it seems you're focusing on the odd sentences where I mention the legal power levels for this country & taking it to mean I'm trying to make them comply.

As I said above its about an informed choice, people see these foxtech 200mw & 400mw vtxs out there & think "oh, it must be ok as I can just click a button & get one on my doorstep in 2 weeks", but in reality these aren't as they don't even broadcast in a legal band let alone at legal powers! When I first started I had one because I didn't know any different (plus they were cheap!) & I had to buy again due to this fact.

Mate I don't mean to get my panties in a bunch but laws are laws, I didn't make them, I don't enforce them, I even stated above that I think they current levels are not quite enough/right - so please dont shoot me for telling people about them. Its up to them if they abide by them or break them, its no skin off my nose... I can choose to break them, so can you & so can they, anyone can, its easy to do & that is what I'm getting at, you can do it & not even know!

Yes I totally agree with hooking up with an experienced flyer as the knowledge that can be gained this way is invaluable & I advocate that wholeheartedly - but that is a completely different discussion. We are talking about a quick look guideline type page for people to look at & read & decide for themselves which products & power levels they wish to use but at the same time making them aware that by using the powerful kit they will be breaking current law, because most newcomers just wont know. It's only fair to make them aware of any possible legal risks in their equipment choices.

Something I didn't have when I started out.

& yes in an ideal world your setup is perfect for FPV everytime....

[JezUK1]

So in a nutshell to stay legal just get high gain aerials as it can more than double the range of video link.

[Flyn]

So in a nutshell to stay legal just get high gain aerials as it can more than double the range of video link.

Yes pretty much, however the higher the gain antenna the more directional it becomes, you can put two next to each other facing slightly out to cover a wider area or you can use a tracker like a lot of people do.

You have to double (or is it quadruple) your vtx power to double your range but you only need to add 3dbi to you VRX's antenna to do the same.

(edit dbi not dpi!!)

Also staying legal is a good thing to do (obviously) but legal power levels aren't too great, they work, but you will have to way up the risks of not staying legal, most people use 100mw or 600mw for best results in video links.

[JezUK1]

I'm assuming with the tracker it obviously it still has to be line of sight / Any trees or buildings would be a major problem?

Also I'm assuming the aerial will rotate following the craft?

[Coyote]

Not sure what adding 3 dots per inch to your receiver will do Flyn :)

( predictive text strikes again ? )

Yeah especially on 2.4 or 5.8Ghz video and control LOS must be kept with the model. The tracker follows the plane and pointing the antenna at it yes. Again though, not recommended for beginners.

[Flyn]

Damn the iPad autocorrect!!