Hi all, I'm new into the drone scene. I live in Cedar Park, Texas. I'm building a FPV using the steps lined out by Oscar site. I do have a question, and forgive me if I'm not supposed to ask it here, or if ok, I thank you all for any help. My question is, is the RTH functionality a software function, or is there a piece of hardware I will need to purchase? Also, what is a good inexpensive GPS module that would be recommended? I received all the parts yesterday except for the controller unit and will start assembling my fpv today. I'm excited. I am a licensed single engine pilot, but the drone flying is a lot more tricky it seems. Thanks for any advice.
Welcome to the forum Kruser! This is a wonderful place to learn, though I am not one with any understanding of GPS based drones. There are definitely those here that will have great answers to get you flying!
While I do not have a pilots license, I have flown (with an instructor friend) a few single engine craft, including a 1941 T6 trainer...I learned loops, rolls and assorted aerobatic maneuvers in it. Flying drones was a little trickier when I tried line of sight, but once things shifted to FPV, it was just like flying any other aircraft...except you can pull G's with a drone that would probably kill a pilot. The perspective is very similar.
Again, welcome!
SoCal Kaity :D OMG, no one told me it would be this much fun! Addicted :)
Howdy Kruser, welcome to the forum. As for your question, it's a little bit of both. You will need specific firmware loaded onto your flight controller, and you'll need an external GPS module. But quite honestly as you're new to this, I'd keep it simple and learn the basics of building and flying first.
Thank you for the reply, after ready several other online articles on building FPV racing drones, I agree with your advice. I just need to build my first one, then go from there. Can the RTH function work without GPS? RTH sounds like a safety function, and I am hoping that is a software solution that comes with the controller code. -Kruser
RENOV8RHowdy Kruser, welcome to the forum. As for your question, it's a little bit of both. You will need specific firmware loaded onto your flight controller, and you'll need an external GPS module. But quite honestly as you're new to this, I'd keep it simple and learn the basics of building and flying first.
A "normal" race/freestyle fpv type quad doesn't use a GPS and is flown manually the whole time.
A photography type quad is usually larger. And usually has a GPS.
However if you wanted to add GPS to a "normal" 5" quad you could do so.
To use a GPS and RTH you will need a flight controller with a barometer (or dedicated GPS flight controller like a DJI Naza or "PixHawk"), and GPS antenna, cheap option, more expensive, micro option.
If you plan to use a more normal flight controller it will need a barometer and the iNav software in place of Betaflight.
why be "normal"? to me a $300 gopro camera and a $250 quad is worth finding if lost. GPS can be a insurance policy to help you find a longer range quad if it doesn't get back to you. say you crash in the bush 1/2 mile away ..you kinda know where you are from your DVR played back on your goggles or ground station. but one tree or bush looks like the next . if you have some way to read your current GPS output you know where you are add your buzzer and leds you have the best chance of recovery.
you don't really use the RTH if your a hard core racer and that's all you do with it that's ok, but for the exploratory flights it might be handy to locate features on the ground you might want to explore by foot. GPSHOME i don't think needs a baro and GPSHOLD does .
a 10dof FC has a baro ,again not the racers choice ,but the standard 6dof FC hasn't one. some GPS units have baros others don't.
one pointer i can tell you is if you put one on yours the uart connections are not what you would think . GPS has 4 wires , you would use GND,+, rx,tx . you make the GPS connections to the UART's rx and tx reversed. meaning rx to tx and tx to rx respectively.
Oh my, this is good stuff. Yeah, I have a couple of small drones that I'm practicing with, and you're right, they way I fly now, I'm sure to lose a racer. I bought this controller, FrSky 2.4G 16CH Taranis X9D Plus SE Transmitter SPECIAL EDITION w/ M9 Sensor Water Transfer Case, the problem is, its not real informative on listing its features. I currently have a Propel that I fly around in the house and try chasing my dogs, and I have another one that is a very low grade drone called Xtreem Quadforce. I bought the xtreem at the goodwill for 25 bucks, and that perked my interest. I'll go buy another better quality drone for just learning to fly them, I may get one of those with gps. Its not a requirement, but just insurance for me. I guess I won't be a true drone pilot until I lose one. : Thanks for all comments.
06-Jan-2018, 01:50 AM (This post was last modified: 06-Jan-2018, 01:55 AM by Lowlife.)
(05-Jan-2018, 06:47 PM)buzzjob Wrote: why be "normal"? to me a $300 gopro camera and a $250 quad is worth finding if lost. GPS can be a insurance policy to help you find a longer range quad if it doesn't get back to you. say you crash in the bush 1/2 mile away ..you kinda know where you are from your DVR played back on your goggles or ground station. but one tree or bush looks like the next . if you have some way to read your current GPS output you know where you are add your buzzer and leds you have the best chance of recovery.
you don't really use the RTH if your a hard core racer and that's all you do with it that's ok, but for the exploratory flights it might be handy to locate features on the ground you might want to explore by foot. GPSHOME i don't think needs a baro and GPSHOLD does .
a 10dof FC has a baro ,again not the racers choice ,but the standard 6dof FC hasn't one. some GPS units have baros others don't.
one pointer i can tell you is if you put one on yours the uart connections are not what you would think . GPS has 4 wires , you would use GND,+, rx,tx . you make the GPS connections to the UART's rx and tx reversed. meaning rx to tx and tx to rx respectively.
A GPS locator is not the same as adding GPS for flight assistance. As far as I know (I could be wrong) there is no way to get GPS location from using a GPS flight controller (for lack of a better name, I don't know what they are called. PIXHawk, NAZA, Eagletree, etc.) or iNav.
Keep your sUAS in eyesight at all times, and use an observer to assist if needed.
Not possible with goggles on however you can keep in the same area and with an observer you have the best chance of finding your craft. If you are flying longer range you are taking a risk not having a RTH and working failsafe. You are risking losing your craft.
06-Jan-2018, 10:23 AM (This post was last modified: 06-Jan-2018, 10:35 AM by buzzjob.)
(06-Jan-2018, 01:50 AM)Lowlife Wrote: A GPS locator is not the same as adding GPS for flight assistance. As far as I know (I could be wrong) there is no way to get GPS location from using a GPS flight controller (for lack of a better name, I don't know what they are called. PIXHawk, NAZA, Eagletree, etc.) or iNav.
well it looks like you are mistaken, missed informed or don't have all the info thats out there. this pic is the LCD on my FS-i6 with the FlyPlus firmware notice that there is a read out of Lat, Lon and GPS Alt .
technically you have to have a "remote pilot" license to use goggles i would only trust the official FAA site for the regs.
06-Jan-2018, 01:06 PM (This post was last modified: 06-Jan-2018, 01:10 PM by Lowlife.)
(06-Jan-2018, 10:23 AM)buzzjob Wrote: well it looks like you are mistaken, missed informed or don't have all the info thats out there. this pic is the LCD on my FS-i6 with the FlyPlus firmware notice that there is a read out of Lat, Lon and GPS Alt .
technically you have to have a "remote pilot" license to use goggles i would only trust the official FAA site for the regs.
The GPS information on your radio is for "follow me". Basically the GPS coordinates of the transmitter not the receiver.
People are trying to hack the firmware to get that information but as of now no one has been able to get that telemetry data. You can look through FlySky FS-i6 8 channels firmware patch!
"Remote Pilot" license is for commercial use. I see nothing in part 107 about goggles. If you would please link that section.
Any GPS that is powered by your main flight battery can't be depended on to help you find a downed model as the battery is often ejected in a crash landing.
A far better solution is to splice a tBeacon into the serial connection to the GPS. The tBeacon has its own, very light, battery and can be used with a hand held 433MHz comm radio to report the last recorded GPS coordinates and once you get into the general vicinity, you can use a Yagi antenna on the comm radio to triangulate the tBeacon's location down to a few feet.
i didn't say it was best practice i just said it might help . so far i haven't had a crash that disconnects the battery from the connector and i've cartwheeled many many times across the ground , but i strap battery in both directions.
on the other location methods ; yeah i saw that and a few other variations to locate your downed craft awhile ago.
as for you losing the GPS telemetry reading; there is a good chance the TX will just not update the reading so you will have last known position. just don't turn off your TX until you write it down.
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Thanks for all comments.
