Analog mike seeks digital dave

communication to ardupilot base?
flight controller’s will output pwm to a steering servo
as well as esc , correct ? most of these boats have cheap three channel radios i don’t think we can justify the cost new radios plus the cost of this feature. this is not a one off i am looking to update 6/8 boats

will this get me there

HGLRC M100-5883 GPS Compass Module, Upgraded 10th Generation Chip Compatible with FPV Fixed-Wing UAV

This item: HGLRC M100-5883 GPS Compass Module, Upgraded 10th Generation Chip Compatible with FPV Fixed-Wing UAV

$16.99$16.99


Speedybee F405 Mini Fixed Wing Flight Controller,Support INAV Ardupilot APP Wireless Configuration 11 PWM Solder-Free Multila


Speedybee F405 Mini Fixed Wing Flight Controller,Support INAV Ardupilot APP Wireless Configuration 11 PWM Solder-Free Multilayer FC PDB Board

$45.99$45.99


RadioMaster RP3 ELRS FPV Receiver - 2.4ghz ExpressLRS Nano Receiver Drone RX Module with 65mm UFL T Antenna for FPV Drone Tin


RadioMaster RP3 ELRS FPV Receiver - 2.4ghz ExpressLRS Nano Receiver Drone RX Module with 65mm UFL T Antenna for FPV Drone Tiny Whoop Fixed-wing RC Plane by Speedybee

$22.99$22.99

Total price: $85.97$85.97

Yea, that kit of parts will work. Do you have Transmitters for ELRS?

[quote=“dkemxr, post:23, topic:126902”]
ELRS?
[/quotetyeradios]

some members do but not everyone is there, like i said these boats use older style radios

Hi,
I believe you’re looking for a finger-nail-sized elrs receiver that has a built-in antenna with ~600m range and no antennas sticking out of a scale model.

You don’t need the ESP32 communication anymore. It goes through the ELRS backpack and every 2G4 ELRS Radio has a backpack since 2023.

For GPS, keep clear of the small units, they are labeled by the size of their ceramic antenna, anything above 180 is good but must support UBlox protocol.
For a boat, likely a GPS+Compass Unit is suitable, so maybe something like this works out.

That FC is a good choice for limited space but they are typically cheaper directly.

EDIT:
For completeness, a half-size radio that works for me and is good supported.

It depends on what your preferences are. There are the gamepad type radios and the full-size radios, all have benefits and downsides.

If I am right in your list is only a ELRS (RC-) transmitter missing.
As I understood @feanjeger they have moreless only old 3 channel RC-Systems which probably only have pure servo PWM outputs but no more modern sum bus signal. Then the transmitters will not be able to be converted to ELRS straight away. So in order to give a complete picture of the expected price, this would also have to be taken into account, right?

Juergen what you say is true. these ships generally use only 2 channels pwm out
steering-lt/rt speed-forward/reverse. some use the third channel as a pump control others have auto pump circuits
i believe that once upon a time PWM output radios were used in this application i would like to stay there if possible. guys i am old OLD school . i do not have the latest and greatest nor an unlimited budget.
I am1st. generation following ww2 i grew up learning how to make do with what i have in front of me. we do not need fast, we do not need small, we do not need bells and whistles. component size is not generally an issue as these boats are 5.5 inches (14cm.) x37in (94cm,)
can i set course and run ardupilot from a phone or cheap notebook? (more cost)

https://ardupilot.org/copter/docs/common-esp8266-telemetry.html

Or

https://ardupilot.org/copter/docs/common-esp32-telemetry.html

And get one of the 225 suported flight controllers (yes, I did count them) Choosing an Autopilot — Copter documentation

Yes, an old laptop running mission planner or qgroundcontrol will be fine for planning missions and real time telemetry display

An android phone can also be used. Do you have small fingers?

Both boards together should cost less than 60 usd.