Ycopter Quad. Part 1 - Design

Introducing the YQ2 Quadcopter

It is designed for DIY construction using cheap and readily available materials and incorporates many of the ideas in my ‘Tune Your Multi-rotor’ article.

This quad is design for fast and agile flight.  It is not a light weight design at all, with large battery, GoPro 2 in its protective case and FPV gear it weighs 2.2Kg.  Although not as efficient as lighter machines, it still has a flight time of between 6-9 minutes and the extra weight gives it a very stable flight profile.

Design features:

Video Quality

• 2 stage camera vibration dampening.
• Sharp and vibration free 1080p video (providing the motors and props are reasonably well balanced).
• Up to 11” propellers out of view of the video.
• Relatively level fast forward flight.
• GoPro camera can be angled down for plan view or slightly back for fast forward flight.

Flying Characteristics

• Stable with mass along central axis.
• Fairly level pitch in fast forward flight.
• Stable in moderate winds.
• Designed for fast and agile flight.
• Rigid frame hardly flexes, this keeps the motors held firmly in place which allows for accurate and predictable control.

Crash Resistance

• Ultra strong core frame.
• GoPro mounted in its protective case.
• Weak points designed in, in the event of a crash the following are intended to break:

- Wooden arms (plug in design makes them simple to replace).
- Cable ties holding on landing legs.
- GoPro is soft mounted with Velcro and silicone rubber.

Cost Effective

• DIY construction.
• Uses GRP or G10 sheet material and readily available wood sections.

RF Design

• Dirty and clean areas.
• Video TX at front and RC and GPS antennas at back provides 400mm separation. 

Convenience

• Fast and accessible battery location.
• Easy to adjust the centre of gravity.
• Uses 4S batteries in the range of 3000mah to 5000mah.
• Self-contained video TX, OSD and power regulator which is removable.
• Props out of view of the FPV camera and GoPro.
• Motor arms can be removed for compact transportation.

Specifications:

Frame weight 650gm (Includes GoPro camera mount).

Motor to motor      - 681mm (diagonal)

                              - 500mm (width)

                              - 463mm (length)

Height 105mm (lower plate to top of GoPro case)