Comment by Morli on February 1, 2010 at 2:38pm

Looks good , seems it is another good option.

Comment by Mike W on February 1, 2010 at 2:57pm

Just flew with it and I really like the results! Being able to look directly down has a lot of advantages (Last T3 contest**!!). I'll upload the video later tonight.

Developer Comment by Mark Colwell on February 1, 2010 at 4:43pm

I have the same BW camera good for nite work, high res, low cost. I use for testing.

Comment by Doug Erickson on February 1, 2010 at 4:45pm

That's sweet. Another nice option is the Pandora Pan & Tilt Kit - $33, add around $40 if you get the recommended servos
http://www.dpcav.com/xcart/product.php?productid=16162&cat=0&am...

a bit more expensive, but clean as a whistle (and it can be built so it mounts upright or on the underside)

Comment by Mike W on February 1, 2010 at 5:52pm

Doug, I have that one as well! It was fun to solder together -- pretty smart the way they designed that.
Only problem is I can't figure out how to mount it underneith an Easy Star. Its a good big larger/bulkier than this setup. Although, I think the Pandora Pan & Tilt would be perfect for any trainer or larger plane with landing gear.

Developer Comment by jasonshort on February 1, 2010 at 6:50pm

Nice, I am going to build one of these. It certainly saves space in the cockpit.

Comment by Mike W on February 1, 2010 at 6:52pm

Jason, I was checking out your camera setup you prototyped. Did you design that in Solid Works? We just got a new 3D printer in my department and I'm dying to give it a shot.

Developer Comment by jasonshort on February 1, 2010 at 10:24pm

I did do it in Solid Works, which is a terrific program. I've been planning a new pan tilt, but I can never find the time to do it right.
When you do your print, if it's ABS, be sure to use some styrene glue to melt the layers together. It's stronger and won't delaminate in a crash.

Comment by Jason Lyons on February 1, 2010 at 11:11pm

Looks great Mike! How are you treating the video? Is their on-board storage, or are you using transmitting to ground station?

Comment by Mike W on February 1, 2010 at 11:33pm

Jason, I'm using a RangeVideo.com 900 MHz 500mW AV Transmitter with a 1/2 wave dipole antenna sticking out the front canopy.
On the ground I'm receiving the live feed through a dual output receiver, using a 8 dBi patch antenna (although for under a mile I believe a 3dBi whip antenna should do fine. The patch antenna needs to be pointed at the plane, whereas a whip can be left pointing straight up. I use a friend as a rudimentary antenna tracker at the moment.

To capture video to my computer and display it live on screen I use a USB Video Capture dongle from Diamond (picked it up at a computer store in town). The second output on the reciever I usually have hooked up to video goggles and I have successfully used the TrackR2 gyro system from ImmersionRc.com to pan and tilt the setup using my head (great results with this, little bit tricky setting up the first time).

I believe this is a fairly standard first person video setup for RC caliber stuff. I would recommend purchasing the products seperately and searching online for better prices on antennas (www.L-com.com) instead of buying a package deal from a vendor. I place a premium on distance, power output and reciever sensitivity.

Also, to use the RangeVideo transmitter, technically you need a Ham Radio license from the FCC to use in the USA (uses one of the Amateur Radio Bands). I got one a few years back, its very easy, and inexpensive (~$12.) and opens the door to a lot of education in the fields of RF design, circuits, and just all-round radio "stuff." Plus you get legal rights to use tons of RF bands depending on your license level. Check it out.

-KB3PDB

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