Hi guys, I'm a beginner to arduino, though with some previous C experience and several friends with more experience helping, and am looking to do a project making an RC plane, with the hopes of using the arduino to add automation and sensors in, for example a gyroscope and a <4.5m altitude sensor.
So I was wondering, what servo motors would people with more experience recommend, which arduino board, and what could I use as the radio transceiver (I've found a few on amazon, but they all seem to be either <100m range or >1km range, whilst I want somewhere in the middle)?
Any advice on issues you have faced in similar projects that you'd like to share?
1km does not mean it doesn't work at closer ranges.
I would look at good quality brand name servos (Futaba, Graupner...) for anything that is flying.
For the radio, I'd go with standard radio control.
What do you want to do with the information from gyro and altimeter?
1km does not mean it doesn't work at closer ranges.
I would look at good quality brand name servos (Futaba, Graupner...) for anything that is flying.
For the radio, I'd go with standard radio control.
What do you want to do with the information from gyro and altimeter?
I know that an RF transmitter with 1km< range can be used closer, I was simply thinking that the cost on a high range transmitter would be higher, so to save money, power and weight, a more suitable ranged transmitter would be better.
Thanks for the servo advice, will look it up.
The gyro data would simply be something like automatic heading hold, and altimeter could possibly be used as an automatic emergency landing thing (descend until the sensor gets a reading, decrease descent rate, cut engine at 1 meter, cruise down).
I might end up integrating these features with a later version, maybe using a Raspberry pi for more power if needed.
bluejets:
Many countries have in place strict controls of the frequency bands and the power that the transmitters are allowed to use.
Rather than the range as range is usually quoted under ideal conditions.
Might be a good place to start so you don't get rounded up by your local broadcasting authority.
Good call on that one. Will have a look at guidelines for my area, I was already going to research where I could fly it, so that I don't encroach on some no fly zone or something.
Hi, its worth contacting any local model RC aircraft clubs to check out where you can fly and the frequency situation.
Have you googled? There must be other fliers who have or are planning a similar project.
bluejets:
Many countries have in place strict controls of the frequency bands and the power that the transmitters are allowed to use.
Rather than the range as range is usually quoted under ideal conditions.
Might be a good place to start so you don't get rounded up by your local broadcasting authority.
Good call on that one. Will have a look at guidelines for my area, I was already going to research where I could fly it, so that I don't encroach on some no fly zone or something.
Good to see responsible thinking.
Most rc along with any flying is controlled by national authorities such as CASA in Australia.
Here I believe ceiling height is 300ft and no over-the-horizon or out-of-sight flying by remote other than by organisations controlled by the former, even then on special occasions and pre-determined areas. Definitely no where near airports(used to be 5 miles) or overflying anywhere near built-up areas.
Can be pretty serious if you breech the laws.
So yes, find out all you can.
Usually joining these organisations can be your best move.
It's not difficult to see why.
No one wants to hear of an RC plane being involved in any way with breeching flying airspace or worse, a collision with the same.
If you want an off-the-shelf transmitter/receiver try the Turnigy 9X (not 9XR). This uses the 2.4GHz range -- as most all RC radios use these days. See http://rcarduino.blogspot.com/ to understand how to interface with standard RC radios.
If you want to DIY your transmitter or you want two-way communication, look for "telemetry" radios based on the HM-TRP by HopeRF. These are 3.3V TTL serial available in 433MHz or 915MHz (unlicensed bands depending on what country you are in -- which you won't get an answer to since you haven't stated where you live in your profile). These are rated at ~1km range.
Cheers guys, will look into everything you've mentioned, nice to see how good the community around arduino is
I live in Hertfordshire, England, kinda near Luton airport (an international, reasonably large one) so will make sure I don't do anything which will result in a swat team at my door. My friends did a project with a weather balloon a while back, so I'll talk to them and see what they had to do as well.
