Crash's FPV build - some (dis)assembly required.

C

Crash

Defies Psychics
I'm going to attempt to document my build of a FPV system.

Currently my ground station is composed of a spaghetti mess of wires. This build aims to fix that mess.

For starters, read this page:
http://videoaerialsystems.com/fpv-a-guide-to-success/
You may recognize the owner of that site as IBCrazy on RCGroups. He makes antennas just for FPV. You can buy them there, but he also has tutorials on how to build them.
I've seen it first hand. They Rock!

I'm starting with a pair of 3D goggles. Available on Ebay and retailers as EVG920.
View attachment 206

They are nice but they let too much light in so the Goggle Mod needs to be done.
http://www.rcexplorer.se/page14/goggles/goggles.html
View attachment 207

I also want to use a head tracker. I decided on a magnetic head tracker because there will be absolutely no drift. The downside is that with the current magnetic head trackers on the market you must face North or South when flying. I decided on the Flytron DT-3K.
http://www.flytron.com/31-oem-dt-3k-hybrid-headtracker-for-all-ppm-transmitters.html

Head trackers need to be wired to the PPM line of the transmitter so why not make it wireless.
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showpost.php?p=14990268&postcount=33
View attachment 208
More to come.....
 

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C

Crash

Defies Psychics
Bartman said:
has everyone been winning at the casino or what???
Click to expand...

I'm not that lucky.

I went FPV flying yesterday with the new MultiWii bird and I got fed up with the wiring mess. At this point I'm aiming for a 'beater box' where you plug the goggles in, hit one switch and it works. I may change my mind later. Who knows. ;)
 

B

Buzzed

Member
I'm looking forward to following the thread Crash. Maybe I'll get a few ideas from you that can be used for putting all my junk in a briefcase or cardboard box.
 

FOX222

FOX222

Member
Do any of you guys wear prescription glasses with goggles? I want to try FPV but I don't know how well this will work for my ancient eyeballs.
 

matwelli

matwelli

Member
I tried FPV two weeks ago, im short sighted, and was fine without my glasses on. Not sure what the effect would be if you are long sighted, but most goggles do have an adjustment of sorts
 

C

Crash

Defies Psychics
FOX222 said:
Do any of you guys wear prescription glasses with goggles? I want to try FPV but I don't know how well this will work for my ancient eyeballs.
Click to expand...

I have seen diopter lenses for Fatshark goggles. And the Headplay's have a focus adjustment. Fatsharks are better but have no 3D capabilities.

The EVG920 goggles have no adjustments.
 

FOX222

FOX222

Member
So some have a focus control? That could work. I have been nearsighted all my live and recentness have need multifocal lenses to read. Old age sucks!
 

FOX222

FOX222

Member
Crash said:
I have seen diopter lenses for Fatshark goggles. And the Headplay's have a focus adjustment. Fatsharks are better but have no 3D capabilities.

The EVG920 goggles have no adjustments.
Click to expand...

Hi Crash,
I found the diopter kit. Are the Fatshark goggles of good quality? I have read the customer service sux. But that could just be one opinion.
 

C

Crash

Defies Psychics
FOX222 said:
Hi Crash,
I found the diopter kit. Are the Fatshark goggles of good quality? I have read the customer service sux. But that could just be one opinion.
Click to expand...

I have not tried them but most reports say they are good. I would use them before HeadPlay goggles. If you find that they don't work for you, I have a set of barely used (3 flights) HeadPlay goggles I'd sell for $125.
 


C

Crash

Defies Psychics
FOX222 said:
What issues did you have with the Headplay?
Click to expand...
Mainly, I don't like all the electronics in them. They have microprocessors out the wazoo. The cable to the main box has something like 30 wires in it. The connector needs to be babied. I don't like waiting for them to boot up, and I don't like having to negotiate menus to get a picture.

I don't need the focus, inter-pupil adjustment, VGA support, movie support, etc. I think they are the only game in town though if you need those features.
 

B

Buzzed

Member
Crash said:
Mainly, I don't like all the electronics in them. They have microprocessors out the wazoo. The cable to the main box has something like 30 wires in it. The connector needs to be babied. I don't like waiting for them to boot up, and I don't like having to negotiate menus to get a picture.

I don't need the focus, inter-pupil adjustment, VGA support, movie support, etc. I think they are the only game in town though if you need those features.
Click to expand...

Boy Crash you let the air outta my balloon. I have a pair of HeadPlay goggles although they have never been tested in the field, unless an X-rated movie counts. She really looked good to me on those goggles HooHaaa!
 

C

Crash

Defies Psychics
Headtracker wireless transmitter

The initial tests of the wireless head tracker appear to be a success.

A couple notes: This method will only work on the better control radios that allow the user to limit the channels that trainer mode can use. IOW, I have the headtracker creating 8 channels, the first 6 are fake and the last two are pan/tilt. When my trainer switch on the radio is flipped, only the last two are used.

Below is a rough schematic on how things are/will be wired.
View attachment 212


The transmitter portion is just 3 wires and an antenna.
View attachment 213
 

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C

Crash

Defies Psychics
Headtracker wireless receiver

It looks like sparkfun is no longer selling the receiver units. A search for 315 mhz on google should find alternatives/duplicates or maybe the guys in the thread at RCG can help.

When I ordered the parts months ago I didn't check the data sheet and I ordered an HEF4010B. It's an inverting buffer with a slightly different pinout than in the thread posted above. (The HCF4010 is a non-inverting buffer chip.)
View attachment 214

I just inverted the signal twice to get the pulse back to where it should be. I shoo goo'd the buffer and regulator right onto the bottom of the receiver board.

View attachment 215
(The black goop is liquid tape)

If I remember correctly, the guy who originally came up with this hack didn't use an antenna on the receiver. I tried an antenna and ended up cutting it off. I don't know why but if works better at this short range without a receiver antenna.

I tested it with servos and it's working great.

I'm still trying to figure out where to put the video receiver. Mounted in a small box or right on the headstrap of the goggles?
 

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C

Crash

Defies Psychics
900Mhz and 1.3Ghz TX/RX tuneup - SAW filter

Time to replace the saw filter and void the RX warranty. Changing this $4 part will hopefully allow for longer video range without as much video breakup. This only helps on 900 and 1.3Ghz receivers. The others already have a narrow filter.

http://www.rc-cam.com/forum/index.p...av-receiver-saw-filters-whats-this-all-about/

3 Pins hold this filter in place. I used solder wick to suck the solder out of two pins until they were clean. The third pin is on the ground plane so it takes a lot more heat. Cranking the iron to 800f did the trick and the filter dropped free. Chipquick helps also.

I also soldered the filter can to the shield which initially should have been done at the factory.
 

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B

Buzzed

Member
Crash are you doing the before and after measurements for comparisons or just assuming the new filter will give increased performance?

BTW: If you need more I have extra filters in my Stihl case. :D
 

C

Crash

Defies Psychics
Buzzed said:
Crash are you doing the before and after measurements for comparisons or just assuming the new filter will give increased performance?

BTW: If you need more I have extra filters in my Stihl case. :D
Click to expand...

I don't have the nerdy tools to measure this stuff. ;) The 900mhz I did months ago seemed to work. But yes, I just assumed it will work.

The before and after tests may be after I make decent antennas.
 


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