2022-07-05

Well, I got that GHF722 FC soldered up with its connecters. Yep, connectors on everything.
Here is the deal. First connectors are easier to solder than soldering the componenets direct
and having them flop around while you are still working on it. Next, the FC is easier to get
into the frame {at least for me} and you can position the components and move then around
a lot easier than if things are all soldered directly. Also for me, I hate soldering things onto
the FC when it is in the frame. I do all the soldering outside the frame on the bench where I
can get to it. Finally, it sure makes things a lot easier when you have to swap out a component 
{for any reason}.  Now, I take a break and relax with a cold beer. 

Here is the wiring diagram:




Here is a picture of the FC all soldered up. Yeah, I removed some of the "junk" from the 
picture and annotated it so you could tell what all the connectors go to. Yep, I used
Microsoft Paint; that little graphic editor that comes with every version of Windows. 



Yeah that's right, I soldered the motor wires onto the underside of the motor pads.
Those pads go all the way through, so why not. 

Progress!

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with soldering onto the underside pads. On one of my last builds, I didn’t have as much room as I wanted so I soldered the middle motor wire to the topside and the outer motor wires to the bottom side. Certainly made my life easier.

2022-07-08  

Re-Build # 3 is complete. She comes in at 400 grams dry weight and 
532.7 with a 6S 1100 mAh GNB battery strapped to her; a bit heavy, 
but I guess it just is what it is.

Close Up of the electronics:




Overall view:




Well, I took her out for an LOS test flight. Success !!  The flight was successful. Basically, she flew the
same as with the last FC board. She is smooth and quick. Those 2407 spinning 7 inch props move the
air very quickly. The response was, again, a bit "touchy" for my liking, but not too bad. Yeah, I will
work on that later. 

Now for the bad news. The video goes out when the ViFly Cam Switcher is activated. Hmmm...????
This thing worked fine with the other FC...so...NOW What ??? So, I go back and check. Yeah, that 
unknown {bluetooth} thing is on AUX3. Ok, remove that. It still has not resolved the issue. I checked 
the Dump All file and it doesn't look like anything is on Channel 7.

resource SERIAL_TX 7 NONE 
resource SERIAL_RX 7 NONE.

I am attaching the DUMP ALL file. If anyone wants to take a look.

I think that I will taker her out for an FPV flight with the piloting camera connected
directly to the FC Cam input. Maybe, I will also test the targeting camera, too. Just 
to be sure that both are working correctly. 

Since I do have another ViFly Cam Switcher, I might just wire that one up and try it.

This build has been a little "bumpy", to say the least. 

2022-07-09

This switcher thing has bothered me all night long. Why ???

Ok, let's think about this.    What is different. Well... 
I did swap the targeting camera from the Foxeer Razer Nano 
to the Foxeer Razer Mini which is larger. This surely couldn't be
the issue. I checked the specs and the larger "Mini" camera will 
take input as low as 4.5 volts so it shouldn't be a problem. On
the other hand, it is the only thing that changed in the video
subsystem. So, I disconnected the "Mini" and reconnected the 
Razer Nano that was on the quad originally. Guess What ???   
It WORKS NOW.  No problems. The ViFy Cam Switcher now 
switches correctly between the two cameras with NO issues; 
Just Like It Should !!! Ok, now we are back on track.

NOTE:  The ViFly Cam Switcher works fine with nano cams,
           but DID NOT seem to work with the larger Mini cam.
           When using this switcher, be sure to test it with the
           cameras that you intend to use. IF it doesn't work,
           try different cameras.
             
There are a couple of other things. I removed the on-board DVR
because I now believe {although not yet tested} that the Cam
Switcher also switches power as well as video. If this is the case
then the DVR is useless the way I had it wired as it would not
have power until the targeting cam was used. Too, much to deal
with right now.

Also, I did not install the GPS unit. I might install it later...maybe.
It depends on if I think that I really need it. I am thinking that I
won't. Since the connector is wired in, it could be easily added 
later...and just mount it where the DVR was mounted.

Anyway, I need to get her out for an FPV test flight. 

Glad you got it sorted out.

Out of curiosity, does the mini cam work if it’s plugged into the forward facing cam connector or when plugged into a different quad? I’m wondering if it’s just a plug/jack issue or an actual issue between the cam switcher and camera.

Other than getting some cool data, I don’t think you’d need gps for its first mission. Since you’re going to be manually lowering the quad to drop the magnet rather than unspooling a cable/rope, it’s not like position hold or anything like that would be useful.

Hi Lemony,

I thought about trying it, but just didn't. Maybe I will connect it straight to the CAM IN
plug on the FC so it is feeding directly into the board; bypass the switcher all together.
I am anxious to get in a flight or two. I am going to try for tomorrow morning. If the
park is clear of people and especially authorities, then it will be a go. I would like to
have a flight that doesn't end due to a hardware malfunction.

At this point, I want get in some "air" time. Once I get a stable and hopefully reliable
quad, I will need to practice with it some just to get used to the dual camera setup.
Looking straight down feels rather odd when trying to fly. Spooooky. I need to at 
least get somewhat comfortable with it.

Then I would like to try a recon run...just to see what I can see. If I can get a visual 
on the downed quad, then we are in the game. If I can't locate it, well...if I can't see it, 
I certainly can't attach to it; then we are done. If all goes well, then I will need to do 
testing with weights and practice maneuvering the quad with the weights attached. 
Only then, would I actually be able to attempt a rescue. 

This build has really turned into quite a project. 

I wonder if the video switcher problem is related to NTSC/PAL. Perhaps this camera outputs on the standards that isn't supported, and/or you cannot have two cameras with different standard?

Hi Roteron,

Good idea, I will check that. I am hoping to get a flight in today;
maybe work with the camera some afterwards...will see.

2022-07-10

Ok, the field is clear and we are going to fly. 

Took off, things seem ok, transmitter beeps, then down. 
What the *****     
Try again, after a minute or so, down again. 
Try again, up then down. I can't seem to keep this thing in the air
for more than about a minute or so. What wrong NOW 

Back at home, I reviewed the video footage and noticed the RX Loss 
message which I hadn't noticed during the flights. Now we are not that
far away. You know, I might need to charge the batteries in the transmitter.
So, that will be the next thing...batteries for the transmitter. It might be a 
few days before I get another "window" to fly. So, bare with me. 

This build is really turning into quite the project. 

On the other hand, the issues with the first two FCs...well...that was just a
case of getting bad hardware; Bummer !  Just makes it a paint to have to 
rebuild, because you get bad hardware. I guess that just goes with the
territory. 

I am also thinking that I might just strap a 4S battery onto her for the
next flight. At this point, I just want the thing to fly for the life of the
battery without any issues. 


!!

Damn, this bird just does not want to fly.

(09-Jul-2022, 09:38 PM)iFly4rotors Wrote: At this point, I want get in some "air" time. Once I get a stable and hopefully reliable
quad, I will need to practice with it some just to get used to the dual camera setup.
Looking straight down feels rather odd when trying to fly. Spooooky. I need to at 
least get somewhat comfortable with it.

You know I did think if you had two sets of goggles and two radios, could someone else have operated the crane while you flew, but I suppose you still have the issue of the camera, although I did wonder if for a flight of this type whether to skip goggles and have two computer screens instead, one for flight camera and one for targeting camera, but I think you said on your setup only one camera can run at any time.  Or even could you extend it so that when you achieve the perfect position, could you use a gps lock to hold the drone in place while you did the crane part.  Not sure that tech level is possible though.

Hopefully you get it flying.  it seems to have turned into a major PITA.

it feels like you've essentially rebuilt a Mavic....

Hi Pathfinder,

First off, there is no "crane" or "winch" mechanism. The attachment device is connected
directly to the quad. It is the movement of the quad that "acts" as the crane and
positions the device at the downed quad. I am installing a "drop" mechanism so
that I can release the cable should anything get caught and not be able to pull it 
out. This is a safety feature to be able to detach the line and keep the Rescue Quad 
from getting "stuck" there as well.

So far, I have had no success trying to view a screen in the sun. The goggles
{which block out the light} actually provides a much clearer and easier to
see image.

The only way to run 2 different video feeds is to have 2 complete video
subsystems. You could connect the targeting camera directly to a separate
VTX and view on a second set of goggles set to a different frequency.
However, I can't see any advantage since the pilot is the one maneuvering
the quad in "crane fashion" to the downed quad. The pilot must be able to
use both cameras and micro adjust the quads position with small movements.

Yes, this build has really been a ROYAL PITA.  Ok, I could not have predicted
two bad FC boards...what are the chances of that?? Today's attempt might
just be batteries in the transmitter. I will replace them and try again before
doing anything to the quad itself.

(11-Jul-2022, 01:57 AM)iFly4rotors Wrote: The only way to run 2 different video feeds is to have 2 complete video
subsystems. You could connect the targeting camera directly to a separate
VTX and view on a second set of goggles set to a different frequency.
However, I can't see any advantage since the pilot is the one maneuvering
the quad in "crane fashion" to the downed quad. The pilot must be able to
use both cameras and micro adjust the quads position with small movements.

When i first read your build thread, i thought you were going to run it that way so you could operate both cameras simultaneously.  Then you said you were using a switcher.  I see it being really hard to manouver from a downwards angle, since you lose pretty much all perception of height and anything around you.  Not impossible though, just a major pain.

I must have misunderstood the winch, it looked like a crane.  I thought you were looking to snare the other quad and then winch it up.  That part of the build must have escaped me. If it's just a heavy lifter then it's probably simpler.

I still look forward to your progress reports.

My question is whether or not you plan to run INAV or beta. It seems the position hold functions in INAV would be incredibly useful in this case