Hello everyone. I have been inspired to take on and start a project to combat the deforestation in Kenya. Kenya being my main inspiration and final goal, but the technology I believe can be used world wide. 
I want to do this, not only because of my love for the hobby, but because it will benefit our planet and I just believe it's the right thing to do. 
I have been in contact with co-founderor of SeedballsKenya.com Teddy Kinyanjui and he is in full support and excited. He had even heard of DroneOfPrey, ME, prior to my email!   Small town Ohio USA guys mind blown!

Visit and share my Go Fund Me page!
I plan to build, test and donate a couple larger UAVs that will be able to carry and disperse "Seedballs" across the barren lands of Kenya Africa to help keep costs low and not have to depend on current aerial dispersal methods of tagging along on surveying helicopter or airplane flightplans. Even allowing students to learn, build and pilot the craft themselves in hopes of making the UAV modular to serve many helpful tasks for them.

Here is the Facebook video that imidiately inspired me.
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_f...3687050619

And some more info about Seedballs Kenya from Teddy.


Let me start the discussion by saying I have no interest for proprietary gain from this project. 
With that being said, any publicity will be greatly recieved and I will likely need help getting some exposure to aid in fund raising the project. 
Which leads me to my first question. I have heard of "go fund me" but know nothing about it. Is that the one to use? Is there a better/additional way to go about it?

Second, there will be massive amounts of red tape to just be able to fly the UAV in Kenya, including contacting the Kenya Military Defense.    Does anyone have any tips for this! I do well at maintaining professionalism but this intimidates me lol. Either way I face my fears, but any advice and I am all ears. Also the cost of just registering the craft and pilot may be higher than building the machines themselves so again I will definitely need help spreading the word.

I will be doing my homework on heavy lifting UAVs long range flying, GPS assistance and the so on. If anyone has any tid bits of knowledge to point me towards, again I am all ears. My notepad is ready!

Thanks in advance to any and all who can help make this new dream a reality!
Visit my Go Fund Me page and share to as many people as you can! This will be the hardest part

https://www.gofundme.com/5voue6o

DroneOfPrey, signing off for now.

That's very cool initiative.

I hate times when I'm too sceptic, but have you considered to test these "seedballs" before investing into heavy machinery for spreading them?

I commend you sir, on your humanitarian effort! This is not just cool, it's newsworthy. I've got a feeling that this may be the most epic thread in IntoFPV history!! Except for the Keyboard Kid's thread, that's going to be a tough one to top hahaha

(24-Jul-2018, 02:14 PM)E.L.K. Wrote: That's very cool initiative.

I hate times when I'm too sceptic, but have you considered to test these "seedballs" before investing into heavy machinery for spreading them?

Thanks and yes. 
I have a bit of a green thumb as well and the sciense behind it is there. I believe the concept of "seedballs" was started a while back in Asia. Teddy sent me a lot of info regarding the history of Seedballs Kenya and where the project is today. The youtube video I shared he explaines how seedballs are more effective than nursery raised plants. Seedballs have been proven effective in many areas of the world already. They key is the seed waits for rain. Then emerges to develop its root system. Starting out this way the seedling uses its energy to develop a deep taproot to reach the moisture it needs to sustain growth above ground, even when another dry period settles in.
A nursery raised plant has a restricted root system and developed top portion. When dry weather settles in the nursery plants will not have a way to replace the water evaporating from their leaves fast enough hense dying out from a root system that has not reached deep enough to find sustainable moisture.

Also I plan to test locally and will be able to see first hand how they perform with seeds native to my area.

(24-Jul-2018, 02:46 PM)RENOV8R Wrote: I commend you sir, on your humanitarian effort!  This is not just cool, it's newsworthy.  I've got a feeling that this may be the most epic thread in IntoFPV history!!  Except for the Keyboard Kid's thread, that's going to be a tough one to top hahaha

Thank you Renov8r! 
I have not kept up on his heavy lifter thread since in the very beggining. But knowing it was here and going strong honestly helped inspire my confidence in the project. I will be reading and learning a lot from that thread to say the least!

Great cause Stephen! And I like how this can put multirotors into good use too I think platforms like Go Fund Me is appropriate for this, though I haven't used any of these to know which is the best. I am down to contribute when you set the page up

When it comes to registering drones, do they have a weight limit? Can they avoid the registration if they build those drones below a certain weight?

(24-Jul-2018, 04:54 PM)Oscar Wrote: Great cause Stephen! And I like how this can put multirotors into good use too I think platforms like Go Fund Me is appropriate for this, though I haven't used any of these to know which is the best. I am down to contribute when you set the page up

When it comes to registering drones, do they have a weight limit? Can they avoid the registration if they build those drones below a certain weight?

Great to hear Oscar! I think it will definitely be good publicity for the usefulness of a drone. I should have the Go Fund Me set up in the next day or two. I would like to have an idea of some kind of goal/budget first.

As for registration, I am still researching, but there does not appear to be much legislation about the size of the craft as much as what it will be used for "sports/recreation" "private" or "commercial"

https://businesstoday.co.ke/kcaa-puts-il...rs-notice/

(24-Jul-2018, 03:37 PM)Drone0fPrey Wrote: I have a bit of a green thumb as well and the sciense behind it is there. I believe the concept of "seedballs" was started a while back in Asia. Teddy sent me a lot of info regarding the history of Seedballs Kenya and where the project is today. The youtube video I shared he explaines how seedballs are more effective than nursery raised plants. Seedballs have been proven effective in many areas of the world already. They key is the seed waits for rain. Then emerges to develop its root system. Starting out this way the seedling uses its energy to develop a deep taproot to reach the moisture it needs to sustain growth above ground, even when another dry period settles in.
A nursery raised plant has a restricted root system and developed top portion. When dry weather settles in the nursery plants will not have a way to replace the water evaporating from their leaves fast enough hense dying out from a root system that has not reached deep enough to find sustainable moisture.

Also I plan to test locally and will be able to see first hand how they perform with seeds native to my area.

That's serious approach!

This is a fantastic idea.  I commend you for your efforts.  

Go Fund Me is probably the most well known, but they do take a 5-8% chunk of the donation.  I don't know if they will waive that fee for humanitarian reasons.  I know they didn't waive the fee for the money collected for the victims of the Las Vegas shooting.  But if  you get sufficient donations, that fee may not be an impediment.  And going with a non-fee based company may not have the reach that GFM does, so again, it's probably the best choice.  

As far as long range stuff and GPS, this guy is a guru.  He is also on FB under the name of Diego Basch.  He has written software for betaflight, the most recent is a return to home software.  So if he can't help  you he can certainly get you to someone who can on GPS, and more.

I can tell you when you get up and running I will support you however I can, and if you need a worker bee to help with research or whatever, let me know.

Good luck!

(24-Jul-2018, 08:08 PM)Krohsis Wrote: This is a fantastic idea.  I commend you for your efforts.  

Go Fund Me is probably the most well known, but they do take a 5-8% chunk of the donation.  I don't know if they will waive that fee for humanitarian reasons.  I know they didn't waive the fee for the money collected for the victims of the Las Vegas shooting.  But if  you get sufficient donations, that fee may not be an impediment.  And going with a non-fee based company may not have the reach that GFM does, so again, it's probably the best choice.  

As far as long range stuff and GPS, this guy is a guru.  He is also on FB under the name of Diego Basch.  He has written software for betaflight, the most recent is a return to home software.  So if he can't help  you he can certainly get you to someone who can on GPS, and more.

I can tell you when you get up and running I will support you however I can, and if you need a worker bee to help with research or whatever, let me know.

Good luck!

Thank you very much Krohsis! Yeah I will probably use GFM. If anyone knows of another good fundraising platform, please let me know though.

Thanks for the tips on long range. I have saved and bookmarked the resources.


What are your opinions of Tarot frames? As long as we do not find size restrictions (I am hearing that they have amended the UAV laws since that article I showed you all. In our favor though as it appears they are mostly biased against large commercial photography drones.)
Anyways, I am leaning toward Tarots T18 frame as it seems to fit our needs well. With 18 inch props and the Tarot 5008 motors (59mm 340kv) they recommend AUW should be 16kg or less. 2kg thrust @60% throttle each.
This gives me a starting point but, please, any extra input from you AP guys n gals is greatly appreciated! Should I just custom build a frame? Lighter/stronger motors to use ect ect.
Also they recomend DJI or NAZA FCs which to be honest I feel a GPS/Baro FC running betaflight or iNav might be more versatile for building a modular UAV.
I still have some reading to finish on the "Heavy Lifters" thread but feel free to add any input you feel may be helpful.

Thanks for all the encouragement and input everyone! Keep it flowing

Great effort Stephen! I've not used it (or know anyone who has), but facebook has a fundraising feature: https://www.facebook.com/fundraisers/about/

Fees depend upon whether it is a charitable non-profit organization (0 fees), or a personal fundraiser (2.6% in USA). See FAQ for more.

Edit: (Don't know why you couldn't use both GFM and FB.)

(25-Jul-2018, 02:33 PM)sloscotty Wrote: Great effort Stephen! I've not used it (or know anyone who has), but facebook has a fundraising feature: https://www.facebook.com/fundraisers/about/

Fees depend upon whether it is a charitable non-profit organization (0 fees), or a personal fundraiser (2.6% in USA). See FAQ for more.

Edit: (Don't know why you couldn't use both GFM and FB.)

Thank you Scotty! I was actually going to ask if it would be considered unethical or frowned upon to use multiple platforms, if someone suggested another.

I will look into Facebook too for sure! Thanks again man.

So what are everyones recomendations for a flight controller to use in this monster? Should I choose something to run iNav or stay with Betaflight. The students ( and Teddy ) also have an interest in FPV racing, if we stayed with Betaflight they would have the experience to set up small racing/freestyle quads as well.
What BF FCs have the most automated functionality potential? Baro, Mag, easy GPS install ect. Which leads me to another question. What low cost GPS units have you all experienced.
I would really like to stay away from the pricey proprietary stuff (DJI, Pixhawk ect) as it keeps their maintenance costs lower if anything becomes damaged and leaves the rig more modular for future projects.

(25-Jul-2018, 10:51 PM)Drone0fPrey Wrote: So what are everyones recomendations for a flight controller to use in this monster? Should I choose something to run iNav or stay with Betaflight. The students ( and Teddy ) also have an interest in FPV racing, if we stayed with Betaflight they would have the experience to set up small racing/freestyle quads as well.
What BF FCs have the most automated functionality potential? Baro, Mag, easy GPS install ect. Which leads me to another question. What low cost GPS units have you all experienced.
I would really like to stay away from the pricey proprietary stuff (DJI, Pixhawk ect) as it keeps their maintenance costs lower if anything becomes damaged and leaves the rig more modular for future projects.

GPS unit that is inexpensive, the guys over at Long Range Hooligans on FB like this one.  There is a larger version, the same, but has a compass.  I'm still learning about this myself, so I can't say whether this is the best choice or not for your application.  You could go to the FB page and ask over there.  They are pretty knowledgeable on medium and long range stuff, both quads and wings.

(26-Jul-2018, 12:04 AM)Krohsis Wrote: GPS unit that is inexpensive, the guys over at Long Range Hooligans on FB like this one.  There is a larger version, the same, but has a compass.  I'm still learning about this myself, so I can't say whether this is the best choice or not for your application.  You could go to the FB page and ask over there.  They are pretty knowledgeable on medium and long range stuff, both quads and wings.

Sweet! Thanks again Kroh Heading there now

Apparently I didn't click "post" on my .... post last night was so tired.

I am having a bit of trouble finding an F4 FC with 8 motor outputs and has been tested well with iNav. I would like to set them up with an F4 at least, maybe F7 if I am confident in its tested performance. This will give them a little future proofing for iNav and keep CPU loads low.
Maybe I could remap a 6 pwm board for the extra 2 motors? As I have never had to use so many UARTs for GPS and such, is this feasable without overloading CPU or making DMA conflicts in CLI resourse list.
Any input will be helpful and greatly appreciated. Thank you