Anyone else build their own drone?

[flyby]

Good looking build. I've got one as well. What frame did you use? What flight controller are you using? I'll get you some pics here in a minute.

Frame is from Hoverthings.com- Flip FPV. Using the FrSky Taranis

My 650 size quad.



I use the smaller one more often than my big 650

Wow!! What kind of flight time are you getting? I get 11 minutes from a 4s 2800mah, 18:30 with two 2800's in parallel. Have an 8000mah ordered and think I can get close to 25 with it. Should be here tomorrow, so we'll see.

Awesome job! Wish I was closer, I would help with the soldering tutor stuff. I was an electronics technician for ten years before I went into law enforcement. Since it's not a kit, where did you find the necessary info to put the project together? Interested in doing something similar.

Met a guy that's been doing building them for years. Told him what I wanted and he told me what he recommended. The build is pretty easy, it's the software that killed me.

Just finished another night flight. GPS stabilization and Return to Launch is a wonderful thing in this wind.

[stxhunter]

I'm using a taranis as well, love that controller! I was actually wondering what your flight controller was (i.e. "brain") I'm using an APM, but was thinking about chaining it to a different brand.

For times I'm getting about 20-22 minutes with 1 4s 5000 mah battery. I could probably put two in parallel to get around 28ish minutes of flight but haven't done it yet. I currently have a mobius, but not too happy with the lack of gimbals for it so may change it over to a gopro. When I run the camera I get around 17-18 minutes of flight time. The build is pretty efficient with 17" props providing the extra lift/flight times.

Never done a night flight, how did you manage that?

[flyby]

I was actually wondering what your flight controller was (i.e. "brain")

Never done a night flight, how did you manage that?

Using Multiwii Pro Mini. Don't recommend it unless you're a computer genius. Probably won't use it again. Looking at CC3D on next one. REALLY like the Pixhawk- but pricey, and my next build will probably be a 230 or 250 racer style so I can actually learn to fly, so I won't need the GPS/navigation/etc that the Pixhawk has.

Not using FPV on the night flights, visual only. With the red lights on front and green on back it's pretty easy to see and control. Just finished another one. Nights are fun and when it's warm and your neighbors are outside it can be a lot of fun!

[stxhunter]

If I were going to do a small build I would seriously consider this one http://www.xaircraftaustralia.com.au...system-pack-1/ .

I've been looking at the superx and this vector flight controller that seems pretty good http://www.eagletreesystems.com/inde...product_id=136 .

If you're thinking about a racer, have you looked in to the eye one xtreme? That's the little one I have in the picture next to my 650. That this will fly pretty dang fast and it's still pretty easy to fly.

[bearintex]

Oh dangit. I did not need to see this thread.......... There goes new house money!

[flyby]

If I were going to do a small build I would seriously consider this one http://www.xaircraftaustralia.com.au...system-pack-1/ .

I've been looking at the superx and this vector flight controller that seems pretty good http://www.eagletreesystems.com/inde...product_id=136 .

If you're thinking about a racer, have you looked in to the eye one xtreme? That's the little one I have in the picture next to my 650. That this will fly pretty dang fast and it's still pretty easy to fly.

Those controller's look nice- but pricey. My next will be a budget build, but want to build, rather than buy one assembled.

[SwampRabbit]

This is very interesting. Before flying drones became popular, I was inspired by the JPL Mars Rovers, etc and considered making one out of a regular R/C plane using just a PIC microcontroller and a couple sensors.

The funny thing is that I can solder, and I am an electrical engineer that specializes in firmware and have taken control theory, digital transmission, etc.

However, that is my day job... I'd rather hunt or get outdoors in my downtime.

[yaqui]

I thought you could only fly during daylight hours?

[Barrett]

Awesome job on those, I may need to start doing some research on this.

[El Forajido]

After seeing that one thread where they used a drone for shore fishing. I am interested now, instead of making my way out to the third sand bar and launching line

[Puggy625]

So that was you I read about on Drudge the other day about a woman seeing a drone outside her window. Sort of a remote peeping tom............lol

[flyby]

I thought you could only fly during daylight hours?

The "Proposed Rules" if enacted, will limit this- but do not apply to hobby or recreational use.

"Proposed rule would not apply to model aircraft that satisfy all of the criteria specified in section 336 of Public Law 112–95.



"SEC. 336. SPECIAL RULE FOR MODEL AIRCRAFT.
(a) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding any other provision of law
relating to the incorporation of unmanned aircraft systems into
Federal Aviation Administration plans and policies, including this
subtitle, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration
may not promulgate any rule or regulation regarding a model
aircraft, or an aircraft being developed as a model aircraft, if—
(1) the aircraft is flown strictly for hobby or recreational
use;
(2) the aircraft is operated in accordance with a community based
set of safety guidelines and within the programming
of a nationwide community-based organization;
(3) the aircraft is limited to not more than 55 pounds
unless otherwise certified through a design, construction,
inspection, flight test, and operational safety program administered
by a community-based organization;
(4) the aircraft is operated in a manner that does not
interfere with and gives way to any manned aircraft; and
(5) when flown within 5 miles of an airport, the operator
of the aircraft provides the airport operator and the airport
air traffic control tower (when an air traffic facility is located
at the airport) with prior notice of the operation (model aircraft
operators flying from a permanent location within 5 miles of
an airport should establish a mutually-agreed upon operating
procedure with the airport operator and the airport air traffic
control tower (when an air traffic facility is located at the
airport)).(b) STATUTORY CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this section shall
be construed to limit the authority of the Administrator to pursue
enforcement action against persons operating model aircraft who
endanger the safety of the national airspace system.
(c) MODEL AIRCRAFT DEFINED.—In this section, the term ‘‘model
aircraft’’ means an unmanned aircraft that is—
(1) capable of sustained flight in the atmosphere;
(2) flown within visual line of sight of the person operating
the aircraft; and
(3) flown for hobby or recreational purposes."

I am flying well under the altitude limit and only over private property.

[bearintex]

Any more updates to this? I got exposed to a DJI Inspire 1 this past weekend and it was the cat's meow. Really got the wheels turning, but I can't afford the ~$3K for one of those rigged out. I've dabbled in models and RC stuff in the past, always land based- cars and boats.

Billy was able to launch from the back porch of the cabin in the NW corner of a 2K acre ranch and fly virtually all of it to check feeders and have plenty of juice to get back.