AR Drone Modifying AR Drone for control via TX

[DroneBuilder]

Hey guys -

I'm not sure if any of you have read about the ability to mod your AR Drone so that it can be flown using your real TX (rather than your iPhone, iPad or iPod.)

This is a project that is on my to-do list. My son has an AR Drone, and so of course I want to mod it.

From what I read, you can still use the "FPV" functions of the Drone while you fly it with a real TX, and also I read that it flies WAY better with a TX than it does by iDevice.

I actually bought the "YellowJacket" arduino thing that was originally being used to perform this hack. The way it worked is that you would hook up your RX to the Yellow-Jacket, and then the Yellow-Jacket would create it's own wifi 'hotspot'. Then you could tell the ARDrone to connect to THAT wifi network, and control it via your TX.

But now, there is a "wifi-less" mod that allows control of the Drone by plugging in to the port on the bottom of the Drone. It requires an arduino, which I have several laying around!

So anyway - I will be trying this out soon, and I will post my results.

 

[Bartman]

Jumping jackrabbits!! A post in the AR Drone forum!!??!! My every wish has finally been granted!!
Good luck with the hack and let's see what you can do with it when it's done!
Bart

 

[RTRyder]

When I first saw one I thought it would be a nice addition to my fleet, then I found out it needed an iPXXX to fly and immediately lost interest. If the hack to get it working with a normal RC TX is easy and reliable then I might regain my interest in the AR.

I'd be very interested in a step by step how to and a video of one flying via a normal TX...

Ken

 

[Aerhead]

AR Drone RC TX/Rx

Ken

The AR Drone is now the easiest quarcopter to fly. I used a cheep China 6 ch 2.4 Ghz radio $31.00 delivered to do the mod. It works very well and is easy compared to the previous mods. If you unplug the Ardiuno board the copter will be ready to fly with an iPhone. There's still a little to do to make the mod easier, like step by step instructions. It really works almost perfect and easy to fly for anyone.

Larry

When I first saw one I thought it would be a nice addition to my fleet, then I found out it needed an iPXXX to fly and immediately lost interest. If the hack to get it working with a normal RC TX is easy and reliable then I might regain my interest in the AR.

I'd be very interested in a step by step how to and a video of one flying via a normal TX...

Ken

 

[Anphib]

Does anyone know if it's possible to transplant the electronics onto another quad frame with bigger motors and the RX mod? Or are the AR electronics only capable of handling AR hardware?

 

[Wayne Jones]

Can you post the Arduino mods. I have a drone that I was going to sell but if this mod is simple then this may become my new FPV practis drone instead.

 

[Aerhead]

Yes

Wayne

I did the mod to my drone months ago. I really liked how it works!
My nephew is a retired Air Force jet mechanic and he had a AR Drone also so I showed him how to make the mod. He is now selling the mod with a TX/RX that is all setup. All you need to do is plugin the Arduino and receiver module to the serial port on the bottom of the drone then fly using the TX that all comes with the kit. My nephew used to work on the electrical systems of F16 fighter jets, this is not a hard mod for him to build. He has sold many kits and so far they worked for everyone.

link

http://www.ebay.com/itm/AR-Drone-RC...Control_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2313f3bc4b


Larry
P.S. All I get is a Thank you from my nephew.

Can you post the Arduino mods. I have a drone that I was going to sell but if this mod is simple then this may become my new FPV practis drone instead.

 

[Simiban]

Hi all,

I'm not an AR Drone specialist, but I do cut some frames for one of the biggest shop in Europe. I also know that this shop has a TX control board, I just put a quick link here and I will have a look with the shop owner if he maybe has an English version of some explanation from his electronic system for TX transmition

Here the minipilot on my small frame in the shop where you can find all you need for your AR Drone
http://vizionair.fr/droneshop/fr/501-super-combo-ds-x-pro-4-esc-4-moteurs-minipilot.html

 

[Drone Shack]

You can fly your Parrot AR.Drone with your TX by using a product called "Macgyver Spektrum Drone Receiver kit". This kit has been designed and tested and works great,
or if you do not have a Spektrum TX then you can buy the complete "Macgyver RC kit" which includes a 6 channel 2.4ghz TX and receiver.

More info check out our Shop: www.droneshack.co.uk

 

[CrazyRoto]

Hello everyone,
I have a lot of experience in R/C but new to Quads. Was wondering if anyone can tell me the latest and best version of converting your AR Drone 2.0 to be able to fly with my Spektrum DX7 Radio. I would also like it to be capable of flying further distances with FPV. (maybe a link to where I can purchase a plug-n-play kit). I already been using 2 Thunder Power batteries in parallel each 910mah for a total of 1820. They weigh a total of 142g so a little heavier than the stock battery and the actual flight time is 19-20 minutes. Any suggestions and info will be greatly appreciated!!
thank you!!!
Mel

 

[cuthbert.nibbles]

That may well be the best use for an AR drone I can think of. The disadvantage of WiFi is WiFi itself: WiFi are a set of parameters. So it's hard to get stunning (and by stunning I mean >40ft) distances. So I see a great advantage of using an actual controller. Good luck with it! Hope to hear back soon, it sounds like a great project!