UAV Factory Penguin B | TBM Product Reviews

[vistarox]

I have a noob question. Whats the difference between a UAV and a remote controlled airplane?

[troybuiltmodels]

@vistarox Not much difference. A UAV typically flies using an autopilot and sensors. RC planes typically fly with a transmitter only.

[EduBrasil2007]

A FIBRA DE CARBONO NÃO CAUSA FALHA DE SINAL E INTERFERÊNCIAS INDESEJÁVEIS? EDU.

[troybuiltmodels]

@EduBrasil2007 1 of 4: CF is very bad for blocking RF signal. The top and bottom hatches of the Penguin B are fiberglass which is transparent to RF. All comm antennas are mounted externally, pointing downwards where possible. We use s-band and L-band and various freqs from 350Mhz on up.The lower the freq, the longer the antenna. Some point upwards if there is not enough ground clearance to point them downwards.

[troybuiltmodels]

@EduBrasil2007 2 of 4: There is a GPS hatch on top of the wing for the GPS antenna which points upwards. The GPS signal is quite weak, so we try to get it up above the upper surface of the wing slightly. The Bandit antennas for video comms from the Tase duo cameras are mounted on the CF booms, about in the middle, pointing down.

[troybuiltmodels]

@EduBrasil2007 3 of 4: The signal is blocked in certain attitudes/positions of the plane such as when the engine, payload, fuselage or landing gear are between the air and ground antennas. When this happens, we lose comms and the autopilot goes into hold or the video pixelates. This is commonplace. It's never perfect.

[troybuiltmodels]

@EduBrasil2007 4 of 4: CF is the best material for the fuselage due to it's outstanding strength to weight ratio, and the other components inside the fuselage are going to block the signal anyway. Many UAVs are all fiberglass, which are heavier for the same strength, but they are a little better for not blocking RF. Don't use CF or metal unless you have to. If we could make a fiberglass engine it would really help.

[SpeedballFreak9]

@troybuiltmodels

Can you give me price details?

[troybuiltmodels]

@SpeedballFreak9 Please check out the Penguin B on our website for pricing info. Search for item # UAVPENGUINB.

[aeromao2007]

looks expensive and heavy!

[PC9JEFF]

I bet that is one expensive sob! Nice design.

[krbosak]

@PC9JEFF Expensive? Nearest competitor is Aerosonde. This is not a toy: the one who buys it can use it comfortably for serious research with huge amount of lift available.