bb@trsvax.UUCP (06/05/89)
Thank you for your input on TV RF transmission. I have already started studying for my technicians FCC license, study material was obtained from my local Radio Shack store. I might mention that the primary reason I am looking into this is the hopes of putting a camera in a remote control airplane. There are other potential uses if that is not successful but that is my goal. I have found several dealers who deal in security cameras that sell B&W cameras that measure as small as 2x2x3 inches for about $600. The problem is getting the transmitter. I want to do this all legally, so I am curious is it illegal to sell TV RF transmitters even to licensed ameteurs? Also, in the July 1989 issue of Radio Electronics magazine they actually have an article on building your own TV transmitter. I have built a digital volt meter from kit before, but this looked a bit more difficult. I am also skeptical of any plans for devices that are in magazines, I have found the output quality of some of them to be very poor. Has anyone out there built the kit described in Radio Electronics magazine? If so, how difficut was it and how well did it work? By the way, I am hoping to find a transmitter that weighs under 4 oz. The camera weighs about 6 oz. and the batteries will be about 6 oz giving a total weight of about 1 lb. which can easily be carried by a large R/C airplane powered by a .60 sized engine.
mbutts@mntgfx.mentor.com (Mike Butts) (06/08/89)
From article <190700041@trsvax>, by bb@trsvax.UUCP: > I might mention that the primary reason I am looking into this is the hopes > of putting a camera in a remote control airplane. There are other potential > uses if that is not successful but that is my goal. I have found several > dealers who deal in security cameras that sell B&W cameras that measure > as small as 2x2x3 inches for about $600. The problem is getting the > transmitter. I want to do this all legally, so I am curious is it illegal > to sell TV RF transmitters even to licensed ameteurs? Excellent! That's an old fantasy of mine, and I'm glad there is someone with the RC airplane experience to try it! Ultimately we might imagine being able to pan and zoom the camera and sending altitude, attitude and airspeed telemetry down to a computer for a completely virtual flying experience! Do keep us posted on how it goes. It is perfectly legal for anyone to buy or sell amateur radio equipment. It's just very illegal for a non-licensed person to use it. However, many manufacturers and dealers will only sell to hams who show their license or who can be found in the callbook, just to cut out the pirates. Not because of any law, that's their private choice. That practice is a bit controversial in some circles, because people studying for their ham ticket often would like to buy the gear first to have a receiver to listen to code on. (Please, net, let's not start that discussion again.) I saw a nice commercial ATV rig at a hamfest last weekend, being shown by the manufacturer, AEA. It is around 6" by 8" by 2". Another company, I believe the name is Arcadia, sells boxes and also printed circuit modules that may be easier to install in the aircraft. They advertise in QST. Also, many cities have ATV clubs that might be able to help you out. Try calling your local radio store or asking around. Best of luck with your excellent project. -- Michael Butts, Research Engineer KC7IT 503-626-1302 Mentor Graphics Corp., 8500 SW Creekside Place, Beaverton, OR 97005 ...!{sequent,tessi,apollo}!mntgfx!mbutts OR mbutts@pdx.MENTOR.COM Opinions are my own, not necessarily those of Mentor Graphics Corp.
steve@eos.UUCP (Steve Philipson) (06/09/89)
In article <1989Jun7.103650.2946@mntgfx.mentor.com> mbutts@mntgfx.mentor.com (Mike Butts) writes: >From article <190700041@trsvax>, by bb@trsvax.UUCP: >> I might mention that the primary reason I am looking into this is the hopes >> of putting a camera in a remote control airplane. ... >Excellent! That's an old fantasy of mine, and I'm glad there is someone >with the RC airplane experience to try it! Ultimately we might imagine >being able to pan and zoom the camera and sending altitude, attitude and >airspeed telemetry down to a computer for a completely virtual flying >experience! Do keep us posted on how it goes. Several people have been flying TV equipped model aircraft for many years. There are a pair that fly out of the Whittier Narrows field in the LA area that have been competing with each other for in fanciness and bells & whistles. One put in a camera, the other upgraded to a color camera, and so it goes. They've used both telemetry and split screen optics to include on-board instruments in the camera field. You may be able to get in touch with these guys through the San Gabriel Valley Radio Control Club. I don't have their address, but you should be able to get it from the Academy of Model Aeronautics. Check any model aircraft magazine for their address or phone number. They can also provide you with info on other groups who are working on similar projects. BTW, the May issue of Model Aviation (the AMAs pub) includes an extensive article on remotely piloted vehicles (RPVs), with particular attention devoted to model aircraft spin-offs. I'm sure you'd find it interesting. -- Steve (the certified flying fanatic) steve@aurora.arc.nasa.gov
vail@tegra.UUCP (Johnathan Vail) (06/12/89)
In article <1989Jun7.103650.2946@mntgfx.mentor.com> mbutts@mntgfx.mentor.com (Mike Butts) writes: From article <190700041@trsvax>, by bb@trsvax.UUCP: > I might mention that the primary reason I am looking into this is the hopes > of putting a camera in a remote control airplane. There are other potential > uses if that is not successful but that is my goal. I have found several > dealers who deal in security cameras that sell B&W cameras that measure > as small as 2x2x3 inches for about $600. The problem is getting the > transmitter. I want to do this all legally, so I am curious is it illegal > to sell TV RF transmitters even to licensed ameteurs? Excellent! That's an old fantasy of mine, and I'm glad there is someone with the RC airplane experience to try it! Ultimately we might imagine being able to pan and zoom the camera and sending altitude, attitude and airspeed telemetry down to a computer for a completely virtual flying experience! Do keep us posted on how it goes. I have had this as a project on the back burner for severl years. Recently DAK has advertised a Uniden mono camera and monitor combo for $159. It uses 3 cond zip cord to connect the two and provide power. I bought one and was not disappointed. It is very simple, fixed focus and weighs 7 oz with the case. Taking it apart it gets smaller and lighter (build into body of plane?!). It runs on 12v (actuall I think it had a 5 volt regulator in it so it may run on less). The monitor is very small and runs on 12 volts. Drawbacks: The sensitivity and resolution are not great but it is fine for well lit scenes. It is also only black and white. Well, for $150 you can't expect too much. I have talked to an RC friend and we may get together when I get a transmitter. I plan on using the R7000 and this little 12v monitor to recieve. "The crux of the biscuit, is the apostrophe" -- This is the dog talking... _____ | | Johnathan Vail | tegra!N1DXG@ulowell.edu |Tegra| (508) 663-7435 | N1DXG@145.110-,145.270-,444.2+,448.625- -----