A Common Sense Getting Started in FPV Video

FPV (First Person View) Projects
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Neons
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A Common Sense Getting Started in FPV Video

Post by Neons »

I am not affiliated with sales of this dealor. I have bought equipment from them and many others. I have had very satisied support service and purchases though. But you cannot overlook this video if you have real interest in starting to dabble into FPV flying or ground activities. Start slow and reach out slow is what many say. Here is a comparison of what is available for the new entree into this whole new field of RC fun.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8v8-yJNtzFw

Good advice.
Bob Pacheco
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Re: A Common Sense Getting Started in FPV Video

Post by HitNRun »

Nice video!
Good advice indeed. :)
Ben Costa
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Neons
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Re: A Common Sense Getting Started in FPV Video-Mini How Too

Post by Neons »

Received from RC Groups Messaging:

Dear **neons**,

Mini-HowTo How to FPV: Newbies thread - New troubleshooting video - in the FPV Talk forum of RC Groups.

This thread is located at:
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthre ... to=newpost

Here is the message that has just been posted:
***************

---Quote (Originally by IBCrazy)---
*_Newbies to FPV please post your questions in this thread and we will try to answer them!_*

*_In the USA, you are required by law to hold an amatuer radio license for all FPV transmitters (including UHF radios) unless specifically marked as FCC part 15 compliant._* To my knowledge the only units that are legal for use without a HAM license are the TBS Greenhorn and the Iftrontech Nano Stinger.

*This page will be continually updated to ensure everything is relevant. No need to read the entire thread. It's all right here.*

We see the same questions repeated over and over again from people wanting to get into this aspect of aviation. Attached is a document I put together covering most of the questions newcomers have for FPV and included many of the questions they should have as well. The document deliberately leaves equipment out of most of it's pages. The reason is that the equipment is usually subject to opinion on what is good and what is not. I also am affiliated with certain FPV vendors and do not want to appear biased in anyway. However, I will say that Hobby King equipment historically has performed measurably worse than anything the FPV vendors sell. When in doubt, buy from a specialized FPV vendor.

*How-to videos!*

*FPV Basics*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dZfovzd ... e=youtu.be


*Selecting the proper airframe*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Ok3Xm7m ... e=youtu.be


*FPV video system and Frequency selection*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9DPy0zm ... e=youtu.be


*FPV Antenna Selection*
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fd3K5cB19P4


*How to build a ground station*
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78dIIZ2 ... ature=plcp


*Advanced FPV systems*
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJyUXNospbA


*How to wire it up:*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOmld34A ... DA&index=2


*Making your first flights:*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_wu4-0B ... DA&index=1


*Radio Communication Explained*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdUes1uW ... e=youtu.be

*How to make a long range flight (and what can go wrong in the process)*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e09Ukc3x ... DA&index=1

*How to make a night flight*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtRnyEfR ... rlHfp5jQYA

*What tools you need (and how to use them)*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrtN79gv ... e=youtu.be

*Trouble Shooting your video link*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4DXc6c7Q5E

*_What makes a good FPV system?_*
There are two items that make the greatest impact on the enjoyment of your FPV plane: The camera, and the antennas you select. Selecting a good camera that performs well in different lighting conditions will allow you to see well at dusk where many cameras simply black out all ground definition. 420 TVL resolution is good enough for most purposes. It is better to select a camera with excellent BLC (back light compensation) and color saturation than one with a high resolution.

Antennas are the critical link between you and the aircraft. The proper selection of antennas is perhaps the most important thing to FPV flying. The antennas are the difference between a long range system capable of 20 miles and a system only good for short range. Most range issues are in fact a result of multipathing of the signal. People having problems with multipath interference should consider using a circularly polarized antenna system or a directional antenna of moderate gain.

The following items are listed in order of importance to your FPV flying success:

1. Proper selection *_and use _*of the antenna system. *_High gain omni antennas are absolutelty horrible for FPV!_*
2. Proper selection of a performance camera
3. Quality video receiver
4. Use of proper filtration equipment (ie chokes, ferrite rings, power filters, ect)
5. Selection of a good, _familiar_ airframe (this does not necessarily mean a basic plane)
6. Selection of the proper VTx and proper power


*_Help us help you fix your problem/answer your question_*


I must get 10 of these Emails a day asking what the problem is or what range to expect. 9 times out of 10, I can't answer it. Why? The person doesn't understand the information they need to provide in order to get a fairly accurate answer. RF is not easy nor intuitive, but a little knowledge goes a long way.

Here's what you do:

*If you have a problem post the following:*
- A picture or several pictures displaying how it is set up
- A photo of your ground station as you would have it set up for flight
- Several photos taken of you while flying from different angles. I need to know what your surroundings are and see your ground station in action.
- A short video clip of the problem.
- Full description of equipment used (frequency, antennas, radio system)
- A description of your flying location
- Did you turn off your cell phone or leave it in your car?

Cell phone? Really? Yes! They operate very close to the bands we use for FPV. Turn it off or leave it in the car.

*If you want a range estimate we need the following:*
- Frequency
- Tx power
- RX sensitivity (if not known, simply telling me the RX you use with a link is ok)
- Antennas you plan to use
- A few photos of the area you wish to fly
- A description of your intended surroundings
- How you intend to fly (high and straight, low, doing stunts)


*_Other resources:_*

For a glossary of terms and troubleshooting guide, go here: http://www.webx.dk/rc/uhf-link3/explain-names.htm

An excellent source of information is here in secret squirrel's blog. (http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/member.php?u=119473)

Some advice from a very experienced FPV pilot: Team Black Sheeps system philosophies for success (http://fpvlab.com/forums/showthread.php ... ilosophies)

A very complete guide on what is possibly the most popular FPV plane: Kevin's FPV Easy Star thread (http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1394883)

Additionally, there is a wealth of information on everything from antenna construction to scratchbuild airframes to motor design in IBCrazy's blog (http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/member.php?u=103113).

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

*The range equation *- Use this equation to estimate how far (in miles) you will be able to achieve:

*Range capability in miles = 1/2 + number of hours under the hood/40 + number of study hours/100 + hours spent talking with an experienced FPVer/20*

Thus if you have 24 hours of airtime experience under the hood, 50 or so hours of research, and an afternoon talking to a highly experienced FPV pilot, you can expect to be able to make a 2 mile flight successfully.

Have fun in your ventures,

-Alex

Please note: I am not endorsing any specific person or vendor. I do this of my own free will and desire to help out the newcomers to the community.
---End Quote---
So 90% of people flying fpv are flying against the law??
***************
Bob Pacheco
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