The FPV Backpack for RC planes, helis and multirotors - a closer look

[bighat72]

I'm infor making one of these. Just ordered the Sony600 as a start.

[opt123123]

Hi Bruce, where did you source your vrx modules from? Do you have a recommendation for a 2.4 vrx module with an rssi output? thanks!

[Delaunay73]

Hi Bruce, is this 5.8Ghz? How much mw in the transmitter?

[xjet]

@Delaunay73 Yes, it's 5.8GHz and the modules are supposed to be 200mW (although I think that's a little bit of optimism on the manufacturer's part).

[sross148]

Nice PFV pod Bruce. Some very good ideas I might want to copy some time. I just made one for myself, but more of a lightweight version - 32grams including a 1S battery, 3 gram cam, jelly lens, micro 200mW Tx, and an external plug for optional HK supersimple OSD. I aimed to have it more like 15-20 grams and use on micro planes, but missed that mark and will use it on everything from Mini size planes to 2m sailplane (or my EPP Eagle).

[leebrushless]

Very interested in making one.

Great video's, thanks for sharing. Leigh

[parkeflyer88]

Bruce, I'd like the plans for this. Thanks!

[TignMeg]

Like RobinDChrisChurch this is perfect timing for me Bruce. I have My AXN on its way and I intend to make it into a starter FPV.

Keep the info coming mate I love your channel

[RobinDChrisChurch]

Perfect timing for me, Bruce! Love your videos! Bought the AXN, bought the camera, can't wait to have my own $55 FPV backpack

[msthunderbolt20]

I am very interested in making one of these unts also the clover leaf aerials if you can find the time to send videos to make these items it will be great, one other thing I almost forgot can fpv be used on 35meg radio in the united kingdom,thank you very much

[RienMy]

Hi Bruce, when can we see the rest of this FPV backpack build?

Looking forward to it!

[briktern]

I would really like one of those with another camera! Looking for an easy FPV starter kit, and it would be much appreciated if you could help.

[omnikurt]

Count me in for one...

[aidan284]

Looks great. Couple for me please and thanks

[AltechMYOB]

Yep... one (or more) for me tnx Bruce.

[hgfasdasdfasdfasdf]

Definitely interested. Nicely done!

[matwelli]

great stuff Bruce - loving the in depth fpv stuff

[pavel4n]

Yes, I would be interested to know more details... :-) Thanks for sharing this tips!

[ArjanHarre]

Thats awesome! ... 1 little question though. Why is it that all the pcb boards are mounted in such a way as to cause maximum drag? Why can't they lie flat? Is there a way to reposition the lens on the PCB so that it can lay flat on the aircraft?

[rsquarednz]

4 leaf is the Skew Planar antenna , better match for the RX unit apparently and the 3 leaf better match for the TX unit , Anyhow great results with these .

[rsquarednz]

might also report that cloverlaef aerial only has maximum effect if a corresponding 3 leaf clover or the 4 leaf skewer (?) on the reciever is used to avoid multipath reflections

[rsquarednz]

I also use coverleaf and seal the coax joint with some epoxy , now noted bunnings sell plastic dip so dip the whole aerial in and makes a nice weather proof unit

[rsquarednz]

noted you use a 5 ubec then 3.3 reg on your board? any reason for this ? mine rums 5v ok so far

[rsquarednz]

hi bruce , where do you get youir tx module from ? i get mine from range video $20 but no pins

[linutas]

if its really about 55$, even when i dont have very much experience on soldering circuits , if a detailed tutorial appeared on how to make the transmitter i would make one

[kramerica7]

i want one!

[elmardus]

I am really interested!! Because I don't have a lot of money to spend, but I really want to do FPV....

[jsnhart]

I will be making one for sure!

[DaCrab69]

YES PLEASE sell the 5.8ghz tx circuit board.

A How-to + Parts List = New Donator :)

[specter737]

Looks great... definitely would be interested in building one

[MountainSnowFlyer]

I would build one...where do I get the electronics boards you talk about?

[WarblesOnALot]

@RCModelReviews G'day... A-BLOODY-Mazing ! Well done, mate... I have a plot to Test-Fly the $100, 1Kg, Chìnese-Electric Whiteman's Rechargable Boomerang until a fit of Overconfidence leads me to attach the PhoneCamera to it.  A month into the Fantasy & every Dawn was too windy, or me too hungover, to make the 1st flight... I may have to drink less, in synch with Weather Reports, to be able to try it... Ciao !

[ritchiebarber]

Defiantly waiting with baited breath for the video tx tutorial. I have a range video 5.8 tx and receiver on route.

[alishanmao]

Finally we will see Bruce doing FPV on LotusRC T580P in cross mode? :D

[startazz]

Great job Bruce and i bet you could make a killing if you knocked these up and sold mate ;-) i'd be up for a couple at the right price of course ;-) if not i'll wait for the how to video.

[fahdi2k]

Please provide the links for the products used here. The links would be amazing :)

[RCModelReviews]

@fahdi2k The links, schematic and circuit board layout will all be in the project build video and website article.

[fahdi2k]

@RCModelReviews and where can I find the article. Sorry for being stupid :)

[RCModelReviews]

@fahdi2k It's not up yet, I'm still writing it.

[fahdi2k]

@RCModelReviews OK, great. I sent you a youtube message. Please get back to me :)

[fantomstranger21]

great video along with part 1 of FTV made easy. I can't wait or more details so I can get started putting together my own set up. Hopefully you will include a shopping list of the parts that we need. Thanks again, love your reviews

[weaponeer]

love to be able to build one, and I'm interested in finding out more about the antenna

[farflyer]

Hi, I love to see your clips they are excellent. I just wonder if you can make the key chain video camera (808 #11) to use for both filming & FPV telecast camera. You need to find video out signal to connection to TX. If you can do it, that will be great. Thanks a lot

[RCModelReviews]

@farflyer I've had a quick look and can't find any analog signals in the #11 keychain camera so I don't think it's going to be possible to get a video-out working on them.

[rcjoseb]

@RCModelReviews My version of that keychain camera can act as a web cam when attached to the pc. i read somewhere that there is an open source development project to make a small video processor, like a tiny computer on a board, that will act like your pc to process the signal from the USB port on the camera and send it to rca plugs. Don't know the status of the project.

[RCModelReviews]

@rcjoseb You could do it that way but it's an awful lot of work and expense -- much easier just to buy a different camera in the first-place. I suspect that the frame-rate would also be rather low -- kind of like the HK WingMan camera when it's in its live video-out mode. No good for FPV at all.

[rogueqd]

Great idea Bruce, I love the portability. Is that hot glue around the center of your antenna?

[RCModelReviews]

@rogueqd Yes, a blob of hot-glue provides a little reinforcement at that point.

[KWAKAPILOT]

Nice one Brucey. I like seeing inventiveness. (Kiwi ingenuity!).

[CrackerMcGillicuddy]

instead of putting the receiver at the top of the pole, why not just put the cloverleaf antenna on top and run a coaxial cable to it? You won't need all those long leads for the battery and audio/video cables. That's how I do it. Works great.

[RCModelReviews]

@CrackerMcGillicuddy Antenna cables have a *lot* more loss than video cables, especially at 5.8GHz. With a 2m antenna cable you'll lose a lot of range! With a 2m video cable, no range is lost at all. And -- video cable is much cheaper than GOOD antenna coax.

[KWAKAPILOT]

@CrackerMcGillicuddy It's best to set things up this way with Rxr and Antenna at the top. RF loses in cable get quite substantial as coax run distance increases - especially at 2.4Ghz and more so at 5.8Ghz. We wouldn't want to loose our video signal would we :-)

[MegaWoodss]

Here's mine: /watch?v=5JO0zwjHFmM

[zip187]

what does the outer part of the coaxial cable attatch to ?

[RCModelReviews]

@zip187 The coax shield attaches to the PCB and the horizontal elements of the clover-leaf antenna.

[zip187]

@RCModelReviews so it just connects to the ground basically?

[RCModelReviews]

@zip187 Correct.

[sshukri0]

I would love to know where I can find information on how to construct my own clover-leaf antenna!!! Any help from anyone is greatly appreciated.

[RCModelReviews]

@sshukri0 Search for "Cloverleaf" and "IBCrazy" -- you'll find plenty of info and the instructions are on the rcexplorer.se website

[SIXEIGHTTWO]

Nice video! Are you going to be showing us how to make the video welding visor? I remember in one of your other videos you mentioned combining a cheap tft screen with some lenses to create a sort of diy video goggle rig... Thanks and great videos!

[RCModelReviews]

@SIXEIGHTTWO Yep... welding visor build-video is part of the FPV Made Easy series.

[FlyHighAndFar]

Yep, I'll be interested in making one ! Thank you ! Can't wait for the FPV project to go on.... :-)

[BNConnection]

I want one!!! This has got to be the best site on the web. Love it, love it, love it !!!

[LmarvinM]

Looks Good!

[kidovate]

Please make the video.

[Soldier53flyer]

I would love to make a set up like your! What a great set up, nice job! I can't wait to see the build! and parts list.Thank You, Bruce. but after you send it off to be made no one will be able to afford them, they will jack up the price so high, well you get it! where can you put a OSD?

[AustinsRCplanes]

this will get SO many people into FPV!

where did you get the module? what is it called?

thanks!

[donjuanzx9]

 3:06 He showed us his pole before ! :-)

[DanKrszal]

You should build them and sell them.

[RCModelReviews]

@DanKrszal No... it's not my job to sell RC stuff, just to come up with ideas and review other people's stuff. That way there's no conflict of interest and I can stay totally objective so you get RELIABLE information, untainted by commercial pressures or advertisers.

[MegaWoodss]

Nice job Bruce, I use the same on my AXN - love the flexibility it gives me depending on which model I fancy flying (not to mention the ease of changing it over at the field).

[xsykgaffelx]

I would love to make one of those transmitters!..

What is the cost for the transmitter itself ?

Can you make it on a different frecuenzy ? How? change ic or just the capacitator ?

[meakins355]

Nice pole, Bruce.

[taqyon]

Love it!

[RCLancelot]

Hey Bruce... simply Brilliant like always! keep it up!

[alanpowell328]

Very interested in this project. I am just putting together a short range FPV model using the HK camera and 5.8 Tx/Rx combo but the antenna system definitely could use some work. Any data/plans for omnidirectional antennas on 5.8 gratefully received.

[plantkiller312]

I'm not even in the air yet and already you have me warming up the soldering iron for the next project. Looking forward to ether purchase of your board or the plans and parts list. hmm how well does 5.8 travel underwater.

[RCModelReviews]

@plantkiller312 No, 5.8GHz doesn't travel far underwater -- neither does 2.4GHz or 900MHz. Water is a pretty effective shield against most radio frequencies. Submaries used to use ultra-low frequencies for their communications -- Google "Seafarer US Navy" and you'll see that they had to go down to 76 Hertz (yes -- HERTZ) to get adequate penetration through water.

[plantkiller312]

@RCModelReviews well there goes my idea of a little PFV under the docks as I fish. Hardwire sounds like the only way to go for that.

[WalneySkyland]

I'd definitely be interested in one of these bruce, looking forward to seeing the finished fpv vids too.

[Ed75365]

That little TX looks great for smaller planes witch can't carry that much weight. The build video will be incredibly helpful thanks bro

[TheOriginalJoeBloggs]

Would love to see the parts list in the "Build along" so I can have a bash at making the transmitter board - any chances of including that? PRETTY PLEASE! With a cherry on the top. . . .

[RCModelReviews]

@TheOriginalJoeBloggs Yep, this will be a totally open build so the schematics and PCB layout will be posted to the RCModelReviews website for all to use.

[Daneflyer5]

Hi Bruce

Great video as usual.

I would be very interested in your fpv backpack.

looking forward to the next video :-)

[msevyt]

Will you be releasing the pcb plans and parts list for those who want to diy it :) ?

[RCModelReviews]

@msevyt Yes, it's an open project so everything will be published.

[obsequeiousphil]

Can you make the video Tx to use same freq as fatshark/airwave Tx? Then I can use my Fatshark to receive the video directly. Or would we be locked to the "other" sets of 5.8 frequencies? If you can choose what freq module I am in!

[RCModelReviews]

@obsequeiousphil These modules don't work on the FatShark frequencies I'm afraid.

[RoboTekno]

I CAN'T WAIT FOR THE BUILD VIDEO!! :D The suspense is killing me! lol

[tjnielsen8181]

....assuming it's easy enough to put together. Thanks for all of your awesome videos.

[tjnielsen8181]

As usual, a fantastic video helping to de-mystify RC flight. I think I'd be keen to give the DIY backpack a shot, assuming it

[hakank1]

Thanks. I look forward to the next video in the FPV series

[Toysrme]

what's the PCB board do? did you design a little transmitter on your own? i think most people would put the camera seperate on a pan. which is important on lots of planes as you need the ability to relocate the vtx more away from the rc and gps. obviously anyone that could build this would simply extend some cables <3

[NVSandMan]

I'm interested in making one of these.

[ScouttMan42]

Would love to know the part number for that transmitter count me in for design a real pcb can i suggest seeed studio fusion pcb service? but will work just as well on perfboard and that regulators a 3.3 volt so why do you need the extra BEC? can't it handle 12volts

[RCModelReviews]

@ScouttMan42 A simple linear regulator would dissipate too much heat if it was used on its own to drop the 3S lipo voltage down to the 3.3V that the transmitter module needs. Using the SBEC means that everything runs much cooler and the total current draw is significantly reduced.

[CMP50SpitfireUK]

@RCModelReviews Cool, so exactly like you explained in the video!

[ostidetabarnak]

@RCModelReviews its true, i tried, and fried, 12v-3v3 drop. the hotter these get, the less accurate they are. it may take a minute or 2 to warm up, time to get in the air, and poof, u loose video. not fun.

[ostidetabarnak]

@ostidetabarnak hobbyking product code :UBEC3-3v3a works well, but a little bigger

[BMSWEB]

Fantastic Bruce! Can't wait

[robnuts01]

HERE IS A GREAT CL ANTENNA BUILD VIDEO /watch?v=FcAqiIKO2XI

[ostidetabarnak]

cameras and bec tend to be noisy, getting them all clustered together will reduce range considerably

[RCModelReviews]

@ostidetabarnak There's no noise from the SBEC on the video feed -- which is one of the reasons I also have the linear regulator on my little board -- it helps significantly smooth the output of the SBEC. The RC range has not been effected and the video range is totally clean to the ranges tested so far (about 500m).

[ostidetabarnak]

@RCModelReviews scince you are the man with the oscilloscope, i will take your word for the sbec , all i have to go on is range tests and crashes hehe. would higher frequency vtx be less affected by such noise? the signal from my 5.8g gets less glitches than my 1.2ghz, but is less penetrating threw trees and such.

[rcgod01]

yes , I would lik ethe details ans the board when you are ready,  CHeers

[k6tf]

Yes, I will build one. Need to know where you bought the transmitter module and drawings for building the antenna. What do you think of using a 3 terminal regulator instead of the switching supply?

Rick

[jbx907]

cool bruce thanks

[SidSideslip]

Thanks Bruce. That's a great layout and for those who use the standard HobbyKing Tx with say a Remzibi On Screen Display unit, they can pop the OSD where the UBEC is in your set-up.

By the way, the four leaf antenna is a skew planar.

[UrbanDrones]

looks like a good back pack. The best part is that you can put it on anything in a minute

[BostonClipper]

Thank you.

[alanbathurst]

interested in making one

[rcjoseb]

Already have the camera so $20.00 less for me. Yes, I would be interested! Thanks for making this Bruce!

[alanbathurst]

Thanks