Hello from Northern VA
- Thread starter Dyver76
- Start date
jbrumberg
Member
Welcome Dyver76. Do yourself a couple of really big favors. I am a newbee quad builder, but I had a little experience with RC aircraft before I started my build. These quadcopters are not that easy to fly. You will crash a lot and break stuff in the beginning. It's part of the learning curve which can be expensive. I flew, and I crashed, and I broke stuff. I still fly my "toy" quads a lot and I still crash; not as often, but I still crash, and bad things can still happen. One needs to learn basic "quad-in-space" orientation skills as well as transmitter (Tx) stick control. This is best learned with cheap "toy" grade quad(s) as well as with a flight simulator program. There are not a lot of flight simulations of quadcopters, but I found a small "CP" helicopter like the mcpx which is commonly modelled, gives flight characteristics similar to quadcopters (except 3D flight), and is really helpful in learning orientation skills like tail-in flying and head-in flying. A better option for the ""toy" grade quadcopter would be a "toy" grade quad that could be bound to a programmable Tx which then allows programmability for the quad improving its performance and Tx programming experience for the owner/operator. I post this all the time: Your Tx is your destiny. Don't cheap out. The more channels you have to begin with the less channels you'll wish that you had in the near future. Oh and don't forget your build. This is important Tell us what you have, and what you plan to get, give us your shopping list, and I am sure we will help you spend your hard earned money. But more importantly we will help get you flying. That's why we are here. I hope I have been helpful. I did not intend to be mean spirited. This hobby is not as easy as it seems. It's worth it. Jay
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Hi dyvr,
I'm just getting started as well and have gotten a ton of help from this and other forums. I'm at the point now where we have the quad built and running, but the tuning is tricksy, so we are going slow so we don't destroy the thing right away. Read everything you can.
We (my 13 y/o son and i) have zero rc experience as well and are doing all the initial learning on a bed and just hovering less than a foot so we can get better at control. Snowy conditions outside are keeping us from trying more adventurous stuff for now, but it will be better that way.
Good luck, and what's your build?
-matt
I'm just getting started as well and have gotten a ton of help from this and other forums. I'm at the point now where we have the quad built and running, but the tuning is tricksy, so we are going slow so we don't destroy the thing right away. Read everything you can.
We (my 13 y/o son and i) have zero rc experience as well and are doing all the initial learning on a bed and just hovering less than a foot so we can get better at control. Snowy conditions outside are keeping us from trying more adventurous stuff for now, but it will be better that way.
Good luck, and what's your build?
-matt
COMike93yj
Still Building!
Hi D!!!
Welcome to the site and all the great resources here (information, great folks, awesome community)!
You are in the EXACT same boat that several of us were in a couple months ago AND the vets here have all "been there, done that"!
Here is a great starting point that Scott (motopreserve) started that addresses a lot of the beginning issues we all face ------> http://www.multirotorforums.com/showthread.php?16121-Getting-Started-BY-beginners-FOR-beginners
If you go to the beginners section you will also see the "Group Build" and the "Acronym" stickies at the top of the forum area. EXCELLENT information there!
I have to echo Jay's and Matt's posts.....RESEARCH!!!! RESEARCH!!!! and then RESEARCH some more! I am still researching and learning every day! Heck I am a multi rotor addict when it comes to this stuff....I keep learning more an more!
Something you HAVE to remember.....this hobby can be VERY expensive. Heck I thought I could just go out and fly when I started but alas I was sorely mistaken! You can purchase a micro/mini quad and have fun and practice but if you are like myself you will want to build your OWN quad! This is VERY rewarding but I was shocked on all the things I would need....soldering iron, wires, connectors, some tools, cabling, etc....the list goes on and in Scott's thread I linked to will give you a good understanding on what you might need!
Welcome again! Please feel free to ask questions.....we will help when we can and if us "beginners" can't get you pointed in the right direction, the Veterans here can give you some solid advice!
Cheers,
Mike
Welcome to the site and all the great resources here (information, great folks, awesome community)!
You are in the EXACT same boat that several of us were in a couple months ago AND the vets here have all "been there, done that"!
Here is a great starting point that Scott (motopreserve) started that addresses a lot of the beginning issues we all face ------> http://www.multirotorforums.com/showthread.php?16121-Getting-Started-BY-beginners-FOR-beginners
If you go to the beginners section you will also see the "Group Build" and the "Acronym" stickies at the top of the forum area. EXCELLENT information there!
I have to echo Jay's and Matt's posts.....RESEARCH!!!! RESEARCH!!!! and then RESEARCH some more! I am still researching and learning every day! Heck I am a multi rotor addict when it comes to this stuff....I keep learning more an more!
Something you HAVE to remember.....this hobby can be VERY expensive. Heck I thought I could just go out and fly when I started but alas I was sorely mistaken! You can purchase a micro/mini quad and have fun and practice but if you are like myself you will want to build your OWN quad! This is VERY rewarding but I was shocked on all the things I would need....soldering iron, wires, connectors, some tools, cabling, etc....the list goes on and in Scott's thread I linked to will give you a good understanding on what you might need!
Welcome again! Please feel free to ask questions.....we will help when we can and if us "beginners" can't get you pointed in the right direction, the Veterans here can give you some solid advice!
Cheers,
Mike
Thanks for the welcomes and the pointers. I do have experience in R/C cars but none in airplanes or heli's. I have been playing around with a toy quad (Traxxas Alias) for a few months now and decided I wanted build one. I got a DJI F450 combo that came with the motors, escs and naza lite/gps. I was figured it was cheap and a good starting point for me seeing how parts seem to be all over the place for it. The only thing left for me to buy for it is radio system which is were I am lost. Right now I am looking at the Futaba 8FG or the Spektrum DX9. Anyone have any suggestions on radios? And what is the difference between a heli radio and a airplane radio?
jbrumberg
Member
As to radio it's the way its programmed into the Tx: Helicopter (HELI), airplane (ACRO), or sailplane (GLID). I went cheapo (in a way) with the FlySky TH9X B Tx. This particular Tx has interchangeable Tx modules and is upgradeable so I do not have to do rewiring and soldering if I should decide to change Tx protocols or upgrade with additional flashware hardware (in theory). I am not at the point in skill or need to warrant such endeavors at present. I may never reach that point.
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COMike93yj
Still Building!
Hi again Dyver!
Here is a link that can help you with your build. There is a TON of information on the net as well. Some of us are doing a "group Build"...well some are faster than others LOL....
http://www.multirotorforums.com/showthread.php?14280-Group-Build
Bartman has started a few videos contained within the thread and I found them REALLY well done and informative! Worth a look!
As far as radios I hear TONS of information on which radio is best but not necessarily WHY. I "THINK" it revolves around a FORD v CHEVY debate but there are things that should be considered. Different radios use different proprietary means to talk between the TX (Transmitter) and the RX (Receiver). This CAN be an issue if you are trying to do certain things...I am NOT smart enough to discern the differences yet though.
There is a terrific gentleman from New Zealand that does unbiased reviews and is a joy to watch. He has a set of reviews up on his YouTube channel.....Here is a link to a video on an INEXPENSIVE transmitter that a lot of folks are using.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HU4U4OUcamM
I have a Spektrum DX8 that I picked up off of Craigslist for $200 a little bit ago. I don't necessarily regret this decision but I continue to hear people from "other camps" saying that it is NOT a good transmitter. I say PROVE IT! Thus far I can fly my little Nano QX (did a test yesterday afternoon with my neighbor and I got it WELL over 100yards with no issues)....how did I do that...well geeking out I took the little Midland radios and sat on my porch while he walked up the street. I just kept it level and going forward until I lost sight and he saw it. Ran it back aft end in with no issues. This means nothing but was a GOOD confidence builder with me!
Some radios have modules that you can swap in to use different "protocols" so that you aren't bound to the specific transmitter you have.
ALSO....you can also find various receivers that are MUCH less expensive than the "Brand name" ones....I am doing my build as inexpensively as I can and have found both "Orange" and "Lemon" receivers that will work with my transmitter. Some folks don't say they work well but they do get good reviews (and bad ones too) and cost 10X less than the Spektrum ones I am looking at. YMMV of course.
I know that is a ton of information but RESEARCH RESEARCH RESEARCH.....
Cheers,
Mike
Here is a link that can help you with your build. There is a TON of information on the net as well. Some of us are doing a "group Build"...well some are faster than others LOL....
http://www.multirotorforums.com/showthread.php?14280-Group-Build
Bartman has started a few videos contained within the thread and I found them REALLY well done and informative! Worth a look!
As far as radios I hear TONS of information on which radio is best but not necessarily WHY. I "THINK" it revolves around a FORD v CHEVY debate but there are things that should be considered. Different radios use different proprietary means to talk between the TX (Transmitter) and the RX (Receiver). This CAN be an issue if you are trying to do certain things...I am NOT smart enough to discern the differences yet though.
There is a terrific gentleman from New Zealand that does unbiased reviews and is a joy to watch. He has a set of reviews up on his YouTube channel.....Here is a link to a video on an INEXPENSIVE transmitter that a lot of folks are using.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HU4U4OUcamM
I have a Spektrum DX8 that I picked up off of Craigslist for $200 a little bit ago. I don't necessarily regret this decision but I continue to hear people from "other camps" saying that it is NOT a good transmitter. I say PROVE IT! Thus far I can fly my little Nano QX (did a test yesterday afternoon with my neighbor and I got it WELL over 100yards with no issues)....how did I do that...well geeking out I took the little Midland radios and sat on my porch while he walked up the street. I just kept it level and going forward until I lost sight and he saw it. Ran it back aft end in with no issues. This means nothing but was a GOOD confidence builder with me!
Some radios have modules that you can swap in to use different "protocols" so that you aren't bound to the specific transmitter you have.
ALSO....you can also find various receivers that are MUCH less expensive than the "Brand name" ones....I am doing my build as inexpensively as I can and have found both "Orange" and "Lemon" receivers that will work with my transmitter. Some folks don't say they work well but they do get good reviews (and bad ones too) and cost 10X less than the Spektrum ones I am looking at. YMMV of course.
I know that is a ton of information but RESEARCH RESEARCH RESEARCH.....
Cheers,
Mike
jbrumberg
Member
This Tx stuff is technical. complex, and confusing. I have minimal understanding, just enough to be dangerous to myself. The Taranis Tx is very popular, lots of features, open source program, but like all Tx's and their respective protocols there are the detractors. It's like Mike says Ford v Chevy debate stuff. The Spektrum DX8 is not a bad Tx despite what some "experts" say. If it works it works.
Nice way to check range:highly_amused:
COMike93yj
Still Building!
Yeah....was fun! Just a simple test but it seemed to work. Not sure if it was quite 100y but it was a few houses up the street so It had to be in that range anyhow!
jbrumberg
Member
I know I am good to 500' I hit a tree a "measured" 500' away with one of my X1's. I did not mean to hit the tree, but I did know its distance from a survey. For me 500' is pushing visual range with my dayglow orange/black X1's; 20' for a nano- (I got one in a parts swap). I believe I am good to ~1000. Your method sounds like a way I could test range. I just need to find the space and the walkmetalkme's.
COMike93yj
Still Building!
Isn't it fun to try and test these little things we can "aircraft"....LOL
I still want to eventually do some FPV stuff beyond visual range (BVR) but I have to CRAWL, WALK, RUN,.....FLY!!!! I am VERY safety conscious and still haven't placed a MR into the air yet aside from my Nano QX.....but it will happen.
Certainly there are others like you, Scott, and myself that are on this journey as well.....like we have been doing....help one another and post up all the tips and tricks to get us through the quagmire of information that is out there! Some day we will all be owners in a company that will foster this stuff!!! Now wouldn't that be cool!
Mike
jbrumberg
Member
The camaraderie and supportiveness felt here and elsewhere regarding multi-rotor aircraft is refreshing in this hobby which in reality in its early stages of infancy. I became a pretty proficient solo sailor and tractor operator before the internet through a lot of research and trial and error... Lots of error; lots of learning. My learning curve was expensive (in a way). Once I became part of this internet thing I was exposed to so much more to learn and I in turn had so much I could share to others so that others would not have to share my experiences. It's a two way street- we are all in this together. We learn. we grow. we fly. we crash. and the cycle repeats.
As to you, Scott, and I teaming up in a company..... That would beyond cool. Right now we should set our sights on some form of sitcom. I am still waiting for weather just barely decent enough to allow for some outdoor hovering (hopefully) to fine tune my build. I have been flying my X1's in snow flurries today. They've been winterized.
As to you, Scott, and I teaming up in a company..... That would beyond cool. Right now we should set our sights on some form of sitcom. I am still waiting for weather just barely decent enough to allow for some outdoor hovering (hopefully) to fine tune my build. I have been flying my X1's in snow flurries today. They've been winterized.
COMike93yj
Still Building!
Hell there should be a "pitch" for a reality show!......LOL
Agreed Jay.....we all are in this together! I am making some power supplies right now and taking MORE pictures than would be necessary to help folks make a power supply for their chargers! I will post them up here tonight or tomorrow if I don't burn the house down!
ON another note....the Turnigy Accucel 6 that was DOA because of a button that fell off (thanks HK for refunding the money and not asking for a return)....I managed to "Salvage" last night and it appears to be working fine after my rudimentary soldering skills (I STINK AT THIS).......
I also found a gentleman that is giving me an RX for my build (I am still awaiting the RX) and we will meet up this weekend I hope! Nice to find such great individuals within the hobby!
Sooo enough on the off topic!
Cheers,
Mike
Agreed Jay.....we all are in this together! I am making some power supplies right now and taking MORE pictures than would be necessary to help folks make a power supply for their chargers! I will post them up here tonight or tomorrow if I don't burn the house down!
ON another note....the Turnigy Accucel 6 that was DOA because of a button that fell off (thanks HK for refunding the money and not asking for a return)....I managed to "Salvage" last night and it appears to be working fine after my rudimentary soldering skills (I STINK AT THIS).......
I also found a gentleman that is giving me an RX for my build (I am still awaiting the RX) and we will meet up this weekend I hope! Nice to find such great individuals within the hobby!
Sooo enough on the off topic!
Cheers,
Mike
sledge57
Member
In regards to the difference between a Heli and and Airplane radio.
I have aT8FG Super (Heli version) and I found 3 major differences.
(1) Heli radio defaults to Heli mode when you turn it on. Very simple to change that, setup a new model in airplane mode and save it as model #1 (you want the radio in aircraft mode for a MR)
(2) The throttle stick on a heli radio is not ratcheted like an aircraft Tx (I'm talking the T8FG here) it's action is smooth, I prefer this to the ratcheted feel.
(3) This is the big one, a new T8FGH is about $50.00 cheaper than a T8FGA (when I bought mine a month or so ago)
I have aT8FG Super (Heli version) and I found 3 major differences.
(1) Heli radio defaults to Heli mode when you turn it on. Very simple to change that, setup a new model in airplane mode and save it as model #1 (you want the radio in aircraft mode for a MR)
(2) The throttle stick on a heli radio is not ratcheted like an aircraft Tx (I'm talking the T8FG here) it's action is smooth, I prefer this to the ratcheted feel.
(3) This is the big one, a new T8FGH is about $50.00 cheaper than a T8FGA (when I bought mine a month or so ago)
jbrumberg
Member
Thank you sledge 57 for the information. Sledge57 brings up an interesting point about different Tx's. I did not even know about Tx's made specifically for heli's or airplanes. My Tx defaults to the last aircraft selected prior to Tx shutdown. My Tx is mode 2 and the left handed throttle is smooth acting and well balanced (no ratcheting). And there are major differences among the different Tx's with the different Tx protocols, and with how the control sticks are gimbaled (throttle ratcheted, springed, etc.), how much they weigh, composition, size, 2 position 3 position toggle switches, slide switches, potentiometers, feel, number of channels, bells and whistles and voices even, etc. It's too bad there are no big "superstores" where someone like myself could go in and check them all out, talk with knowledgeable staff, play with them, and check out performances. I do believe that the more channels one has to begin with the less channels one wishes for once they get comfortable with their first bird flying.
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Thanks sledge,
I think you answered my next question which was what mode I wanted to set up in. I have an old Futaba T7CHP(72mhz) that I forgot I had that I am going to use till I get the funds to buy a better one. Now all I need to do a battery and I will be ready to start working on this thing. I was thinking about tethering it to the ground with about 20 foot of string so I can get used to the controls and not to have to worry about it flying off and hurting some body or something.
I think you answered my next question which was what mode I wanted to set up in. I have an old Futaba T7CHP(72mhz) that I forgot I had that I am going to use till I get the funds to buy a better one. Now all I need to do a battery and I will be ready to start working on this thing. I was thinking about tethering it to the ground with about 20 foot of string so I can get used to the controls and not to have to worry about it flying off and hurting some body or something.