Quadrotors and Multirotors

[MikeinEugene]

Just caught this on slashdot this morning:

http://robohub.org/video-throwing-an...quadrocopters/




The video is pretty impressive

[Ladukebob]

Originally Posted by MikeinEugene

Just caught this on slashdot this morning:

http://robohub.org/video-throwing-an...quadrocopters/




The video is pretty impressive

Damn! I could use one of those to carry my beer after I've had a few to many

Pretty sure mine won't be quite as complex

[OldBarKeep]

I'll work on that next!

I have crashed about 100 times this morning. And it seems sometimes better to lay it down when out of control. (I hope this statement doesn't derail on otherwise excellent thread!!)

[CousinLarry]

Took mine out for a spin this afternoon! This is flight #15 for me on this quad. I really like the way it handles. I want to build a strictly aerobatic quad next - this is my camera ship.




Also flew my new little heli the wife got me - MCPX BL :)

[Carlo Muro]

I'm all for math and science but this shit is just starting to get plain scary...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=pp89tTDxXuI

[Chisenhallw]

I don't need another hobby.
I don't need another hobby.
I don't need another hobby.
I don't need.....screw it.

So I've never done anything remotely like this before, but here's what I think I need for a quadrotor.

Frame (1)
Motors (4)
Props (4)
ESC (1)?
Transmitter (1)
Battery (do I need one for each motor, or one battery for all four motors?)
Wiring (assorted)
Flight Control Board (1)

If I want to add FPV, I need;
Camera
Transmitter
Battery (or do I use the same battery that powers the quad?)

If I'm going to fly withOUT FPV, all I need is a receiver right?
If I'm going to fly WITH FPV, then I need some way to watch the video as I'm zipping around, right?
Should I use a tv (I'd have to go find one), or (preferably) my netbook, or my iphone (best possible answer)?

Am i missing anything?

Thanks for your wisdom.

[biggziff]

You need an ESC for each motor

1 battery of the correct size and voltage is all you need, but some will run 2 batteries in parallel to extend run times.

Props...you need counter=clockwise and clockwise

You need a receiver for the aircraft...some use 2 (satellite receiver)for cheap insurance

You'll need a LiPo charger (don't skimp here) and something to power it (usually 12-35 volts with sufficient amperage to charge whatever packs you're running)

Originally Posted by Chisenhallw

I don't need another hobby.
I don't need another hobby.
I don't need another hobby.
I don't need.....screw it.

So I've never done anything remotely like this before, but here's what I think I need for a quadrotor.

Frame (1)
Motors (4)
Props (4)
ESC (1)?
Transmitter (1)
Battery (do I need one for each motor, or one battery for all four motors?)
Wiring (assorted)
Flight Control Board (1)

If I want to add FPV, I need;
Camera
Transmitter
Battery (or do I use the same battery that powers the quad?)

If I'm going to fly withOUT FPV, all I need is a receiver right?
If I'm going to fly WITH FPV, then I need some way to watch the video as I'm zipping around, right?
Should I use a tv (I'd have to go find one), or (preferably) my netbook, or my iphone (best possible answer)?

Am i missing anything?

Thanks for your wisdom.

[Saget]

Originally Posted by Chisenhallw

I don't need another hobby.
I don't need another hobby.
I don't need another hobby.
I don't need.....screw it.

So I've never done anything remotely like this before, but here's what I think I need for a quadrotor.

Frame (1)
Motors (4)
Props (4)
ESC (1)?
Transmitter (1)
Battery (do I need one for each motor, or one battery for all four motors?)
Wiring (assorted)
Flight Control Board (1)

If I want to add FPV, I need;
Camera
Transmitter
Battery (or do I use the same battery that powers the quad?)

If I'm going to fly withOUT FPV, all I need is a receiver right?
If I'm going to fly WITH FPV, then I need some way to watch the video as I'm zipping around, right?
Should I use a tv (I'd have to go find one), or (preferably) my netbook, or my iphone (best possible answer)?

Am i missing anything?

Thanks for your wisdom.

Of course you need another hobby!! Damn, beat to the reply by bigziff. I'll pretty much repeat what he already said.

4 props, but make sure you get 2 right hand and 2 left hand rotation. They're cheap, get a few spares. You'll need them.

4 ESC's, 1 for each motor.

1 battery will drive all 4 motors, but you'll probably want at least two so you can be charging one while you're flying the other. Oh, and a charger to charge them with.

One transmitter, one receiver, one flight control board.

Plenty of patience.

I wouldn't even think about adding FPV to it just yet until you are fairly proficient at flying line-of-sight. In addition to a HAM license, you'll need an airborne camera, transmitter, and battery pack. On the ground you'll need a video receiver and something to display it on. Goggles are popular, but a small screen would be good too.

If you've never done anything like this before, I would really encourage you to start with something like a Blade MQX first. http://www.bladehelis.com/Products/D...ProdID=BLH7500

For 150 bucks you get a box with everything you need to get flying. You'll be in the air in the time it takes to charge the battery. If you decide you really like it, then by all means invest the hours and effort to build from scratch. If not, then you're not out a bunch of time & money.

[Chisenhallw]

Ok, 4 props, 2 left handed, 2 right handed. Got it.
4 ESCs, got it. The ESCs are wired into & controlled by the FCB, right?
1 receiver for the quad, maybe a second one as insurance.
Battery (12-35 volts), spare, & charger. Don't skimp.

I understand that I should buy cheap rather than build first, but I'm reeeeally kind of in love with the idea of zipping around on FPV. My plan is to build the frame, a wooden one, according to the video on Flitetest, kit it up and zip it around by line-of-sight - then add the FPV when I'm comfortable with that.

Am I missing anything else?

[Ladukebob]

I plan on just ordering off the Flite Test's H Quad build website page. Seems like they have taken a lot of the guess work out of what parts are needed.

[biggziff]

Originally Posted by Chisenhallw

Ok, 4 props, 2 left handed, 2 right handed. Got it.
4 ESCs, got it. The ESCs are wired into & controlled by the FCB, right?
1 receiver for the quad, maybe a second one as insurance.
Battery (12-35 volts), spare, & charger. Don't skimp.

I understand that I should buy cheap rather than build first, but I'm reeeeally kind of in love with the idea of zipping around on FPV. My plan is to build the frame, a wooden one, according to the video on Flitetest, kit it up and zip it around by line-of-sight - then add the FPV when I'm comfortable with that.

Am I missing anything else?

If you haven't flown RC, especially helis, I'd heed Saget's advice. These are not easy to fly. The stabilization offered by the FCB doesn't make them easy to fly. The orientation issues are difficult for many to get past on an airplane and they're worse with something like this. Having said that, if you have money to burn then go for it, but be warned that many people get frustrated and quit long before they've ever gotten more than a tail-in hover going well. Buying a cheap quad that is ready to fly takes all the guess work out of setup and will give you an idea pretty quickly if this is for you.

See if you can find a local club with someone that can help and maybe someone that has a simulator that they'll give you some time on. That can help a lot as you're not breaking anything when you crash.

Good luck!

[Chisenhallw]

I see what you're saying, but comparatively speaking $150 is a lot of money for me to 'try' something, especially if I'm probably going to wreck it. It's like buying your first moto - you buy a used crappy one so when you tip it in a parking lot you don't feel so bad. Is there an out-of-the-box model you'd suggest that's maybe $75 or less?

[biggziff]

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...dproduct=24648

You can buy it without a TX and buy a decent, used DX6 or DX7 for under $100. You'll get most of your money back if you cash the TX later.

Check ebay....tons of MQX and similar quads for sale used for under $100. You'll want your own TX anyway...much easier to fly as you can dial in more expo, etc.

[Saget]

Originally Posted by Chisenhallw

I see what you're saying, but comparatively speaking $150 is a lot of money for me to 'try' something, especially if I'm probably going to wreck it. It's like buying your first moto - you buy a used crappy one so when you tip it in a parking lot you don't feel so bad. Is there an out-of-the-box model you'd suggest that's maybe $75 or less?

Exactly. You wouldn't tell your best friend to go buy a Hayubusa for his first bike.

There are probably others, but the Walkera Ladybird is on sale right now for less than 50 bucks! I might order one just cuz it's cute. It's a teeny tiny little thing, but it'll get you started. http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...F_Mode_2_.html

BTW, if you order one of those out of China from Hobby King, make sure it's Mode 2. That's the transmitter, and the throttle will be on the left stick. 99.9% of people who fly in the U.S. use mode 2. For whatever reason, Mode 1 (throttle on the right) seems to be more popular in Europe.

As was mentioned before, look for a local club or hobby shop. Chances are you can find someone who will give you a good look at what's out there. A buddy to point you in the right direction makes a HUGE difference.

[CousinLarry]

take their advice. You have to walk before you can run.

Unless you have prior heli experience - and not a mall kiosk heli - you don't want a bigger one to start. If you have flown real RC heli before, go for a bigger quad because you'll transition easy. I've been flying helis for 12'ish years and picked the quad right up.

A good beginner quad - go to ebay and look up Ladybird V2 RTF. Often imitated, never duplicated! I've flown many micro quads and this is the best I've seen.

EDIT - Here ya go

It's about $60 shipped, order two or three extra batteries.

Once you can fly that thing around your living room in all orientations, and can do figure 8's and stuff, THEN spend money on a bigger quad. It flies great outside too, flew in up to 20mph wind with no problems.