FliteTest Podcast 008 - FPV Q&A

by FliteTest | December 16, 2013 | (41) Posted in Podcasts

LISTEN HERE:

Audio Link

1. FPV Q&A

We want to thank everyone for keeping our voicemail box interesting! We have received a TON of voicemails from people all over the world and it is pretty great to listen to them all. If you would like to leave us a voicemail, you can find instructions at the bottom of the article. For our main segment, we took a bunch of voicemails related to FPV and grouped them all into a Q&A session. Thanks everyone for literally helping us make the show!

What’s a good beginner set up?
What kind of goggles are best?
How do you get sharp focus on your GoPro? 

Today's podcast crew:

 

This is Josh Bixler's dog cuddeling a rubber chicken. (As promised.)

 
Also, a photo of Josh Bixler's full scale project! 

Favorite FPV Platform!

Josh: EPP FPV/ FliteTest Versa Wing
David: Tricopter 
Chad: Anycopter Hex w/gimble

2. What's New at FliteTest 
ReadyMadeRC - FPV Starter Kit
Open House/Flite Fest Event 2014?
January Releases - David's Project
Additional Podcast Idea
The Makezine Article isn't released yet.
You can keep an eye out for it here: makezine.com

3. What's New In RC Tech 

ReadyToFlyQuads.com

 

 

4. Lighting Round Q&A

 

 Want to leave us a voicemail? Click here!
We just might play it on the next show!
If you don't have a computer microphone, you can also download the SpeakPipe app for iPhone or iPad and leave a message that way. Remember to leave your name, where you are from and your question/discussion topic in under a minute to have the best chance of being played on the show!


Have a thought about the show?
Rate us in iTunes! It helps us out a lot. :)
flitetest.com/itunes

COMMENTS

rickehrle on December 20, 2013
to Paulo, Brazil: you can buy foam sheets in brazil here: http://www.spumapaper.com.br/
I know it is a little bit expensive but if you have friends that you can share to buy a high volume, then you can buy it cheaper. I also found in local stationery stores. (Em papelarias você acha um pouco mais caro sob o nome de Papel Pluma).
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Iron Butterfly on December 22, 2013
Please Please Please do the things on the full scale!!!
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ScottyZ on December 16, 2013
God bless you David! I've tried cutting foam with a hot wire, but I suck. Soon I won't need to bother with it.

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Finncopter on December 17, 2013
Wating for that tornado episode Jush :D
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tmask32 on December 17, 2013
So I read on some youtube comments and forums that the gopro black+ focus issue was on an early batch and since has been fixed. Can anyone confirm this. Would be nice to know b4 I buy.
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Wes Vasher on December 17, 2013
What is the full scale project? I'm doing a foam board mini max right now, which is a home built wood plane that I'd love to build.

http://forum.flitetest.com/showthread.php?6702-Team-Mini-Max-1030F-Max-103-project
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Hilbert on December 17, 2013
So the 60AMP esc and stuff is needed for a SAAP Viggen? I rewatched the transmitter eppisode. Great :-D
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nasaguy86 on December 18, 2013
Thanks for using my clip guys, you truly inspire, and i'm passing it on, we now have 5 quads flying around Goddard and more interest everyday...
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CaptChilko on December 17, 2013
I think that to start with the international club would be based at the Tokoroa Airfield in NZ, which is currently an (near) unused full scale airfield, the idea being to turn it into a large RC Club and field and decommission it as an airfield.
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fiveaces on December 17, 2013
Josh you mentioned Storm Chasers -- Theres a web series called Tornado Chasers, made by Reed Timmer of Discovery's Storm Chasers. On it they make terrible, cringe-worthy attempts at flying a toy quad into a storm using their smart phones. They're in dire need of guidance
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Christopher14 on December 17, 2013
Wow, that sounds cool. I think that doing FPV in a tornado would be awesome!
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Hillcrest RC Flyers on December 18, 2013
When ever the intro music plays we all have the youtube intro playing in our minds

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sailorJohn on December 16, 2013
You touched on paper mashe covering which I've seen in one video, It'd be neat to see you develop it further. While I was listening to the pgm I pulled up the Trs instr video and saw a jet as you mentioned but was not a centered motor. I would like to see you use contact shelving paper on a build ,note glue surfaces must be exposed and servos must be double surfaced taped on as hot glue doesn't adhere well to vinyl. 20" x 30' shelving paper can be found at Lowes
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Willsonman on December 17, 2013
This paper mache technique is rather antiquated compared to newer techniques. I use tissue paper and water-based polyurethane. This pretty much only provides ding protection. The other option I use is fiberglass cloth and water-based polyurethane. This provides the strength and saves SOOOO much weight over newspaper and heavier glues.
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sailorJohn on December 17, 2013
Now that's what I'd like to see instead of trial and error on my part, I'd also like to see repair videos especially on high dollar foamies some of these micros are like eye surgery
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willwoodsb on December 17, 2013
Definitely want a series on Bixler's full scale! It looks absolutely awesome!
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Christopher14 on December 17, 2013
I think it would be cool to do that to!
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liveyourdreamsRC on December 17, 2013
I would like to hear Chris' podcast but I want to know a little more about what will be discussed. As we all know the term R/C is very vast.
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angus on December 18, 2013
You spoke about an indoor flying venue, I watched http://www.flitetest.com/articles/60-wingspan-old-fogey, these two things made me think of a challenge. Who can build the slowest flying plane for your indoor event? It would be nice to see a large and a small slow flyer.
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windphile on December 18, 2013
you mention GPS Trackers. What do you use and/or recommend?

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brettp2004 on December 18, 2013
I second this question! I've been looking and can't find any decently priced GPS trackers that are made for RC planes. The only ones I can find are huge and made for cars. Any recommendations would be great.
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rmccotten on December 17, 2013
Yes I definately want to see that other podcast. I think it would be best to have it on she same channel rather than a new one. Great idea!!!!!
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jrshawver on January 7, 2014
About the making a fish fly if you use a radio shack robo fish you would not have to worry about the live animal issues but you would still have all of the challenges of flying a sloshing tank of water. here is the link for the fish. http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=25015776
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iceyo on December 20, 2013
So David mentions he would like to go to Norway to do some FPV'ing.. For those of you that don't know the scenery , this is the place.. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Preikestolen
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oneiwily on December 17, 2013
guys if you talk on New Zealand.. try Wanaka, amazing place to do FPV.
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Neilyboy on December 18, 2013
would love to have a flitetest chatter podcast to hold me over for that next week. my job requires me to spend a fair amount of time in a vehicle. I end up re listening to the same episode multiple times (radio gets boring). I know I would not be alone in wanting more RC goodness. honestly I think it would work really well. could possibly bring in new topics/ideas for the show. anyway, I for one think it is a great idea!
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Billbo911 on December 18, 2013
You mentioned using Arduino's, of various flavors, to control LEDs. Here is some code I created to control RGB LEDs to create a spectrum of colors.

/*******************************************************************************
* This code is designed to use a tri colored LED to generate a full spectrum *
* of colors. It will drive three discrete outputs, one RED, one GREEN and one *
* BLUE. You can choose to have the Arduino power the LEDs, or you can use the *
* outputs to drive an LED driver board. A potentiometer can be used to *
* determine the rate of change in color for all the LEDs, and each color *
* can be adjusted individually within the overall rate of change. *
* Bill Kendall aka Billbo911 and/or AkaMrBill *
*******************************************************************************/

const int R = 10; //Red LED connected to pin 10
const int G = 9; //Green LED connected to pin 9
const int B = 11; //Blue LED connected to pin 11
const int pot = 0;//Rate of change pot connected to Analog pin 5
int Rstep = 3; //Sets the size of change in PWM value for RED.
int Gstep = 2; //Sets the size of change in PWM value for GREEN.
int Bstep = 5; //Sets the size of change in PWM value for BLUE.
int Rval = 10; // Holds value to be outout via PWM for RED.
int Gval = 245; // Holds value to be outout via PWM for GREEN.
int Bval = 127; // Holds value to be outout via PWM for BLUE.
int LoopDelay; // Value in ms to delay the loop between passes, sets overall rate of change.

void setup ()
{
pinMode (R, OUTPUT);
pinMode (G, OUTPUT);
pinMode (B, OUTPUT);
Serial.begin(115200);
}

void loop ()
{
// LoopDelay is set by reading a pot, but modifying this code
// will allow you to hard code a rate of change.
LoopDelay = analogRead (pot); //Determin delay by reading the pot
LoopDelay = map(LoopDelay, 0,1024,10,350);
SetLEDValues();
analogWrite (R, Rval); //Set the PWM output value for RED
analogWrite (G, Gval); //Set the PWM output value for GREEN
analogWrite (B, Bval); //Set the PWM output value for BLUE
//Serial.println (LoopDelay);
delay (LoopDelay);
}


void SetLEDValues (void)
{
if (Rval >= 250 || Rval <= 5)
{
Rstep *= -1; //Reverse the direction of intensity change.
}

if (Gval >= 250 || Gval <= 5)
{
Gstep *= -1; //Reverse the direction of intensity change.
}

if (Bval >= 250 || Bval <= 5)
{
Bstep *= -1; //Reverse the direction of intensity change.
}
Rval += Rstep;
Gval += Gstep;
Bval += Bstep;
}
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zryanz on December 17, 2013
Maybe include a screencast next episode since you already have all the audio visual equipment and there is not much editing needed, on the positive side i think it would be interesting to see you guys chat and laugh and to share the experience with us who are not there :)
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silverburn on December 18, 2013
It's soLLLLLLder!!! The L is not silent! Stop it!
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Patnaude_av8r on December 19, 2013
Speaking of technology and robotics, how about this for a replacement for minwax,
http://youtu.be/i4J6uC22Hwo

patnaude_av8r
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FKreider on December 17, 2013
Hey guys, another awesome podcast! I would love to see Chris' podcast for the off-week of this podcast, that would be awesome! Also I want to see more of Josh's full size project!! As always, you guys rock!
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MultiRotorKid on December 18, 2013
im getting my dad a 2000mha fpv setup for cristmas what size battery should i have in the plane

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witespy on December 17, 2013
No problem guys. It was the least I could do. You guys are essential to the hobby and a blast to watch! Keep up the good work! Let me know if I can help in any way, or if you any questions at all.
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elemental on December 17, 2013
It's good to hear that there will be some multiwii on flitetest!!
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Ano Pilot on March 29, 2014
Listening again: is it true that GoPro's need refocussing for FPV infinite depth of field, voiding the warranty in the process? I don't see how, for the majority of us, they can remain the first choice.

Is it true for Black, Silver and White?
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graymatter927 on March 13, 2015
I know this is way outdated but I am trying to get caught up on Flite Test since I just got into it. Any it is kinda eerie that I am listening to podcast 008, that was recorded on Friday the 13th (13 Dec 13) on 13 Mar 15...Weird
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FliteTest Podcast 008 - FPV Q&A