Once the firmware is loaded, exit mission planner and install the ArduPilot methodic configurator software.
Connect the FC to the PC via USB cable, wait 7 seconds and start the AMC software.
Then read the instructions that pop up on your browser.
Refrain the urge to use mission planner at this stage.
I uninstalled and reinstalled Mission Planner. Restarted everything. Did a bunch of stuff and now it is working. I even managed to take of and smash into a tree and break off the GPS stand but it was an easy fix. (This thing is way more powerful than I thought!)
I ran into a newbie limit on posts so got a delay but THANK YOU GUYS!
I never got the motor test feature to work but it arms and disarms and I can now proceed with care to discover the amazing world of these things. Next goal is an RPI with a hat and a camera. Also to find how to get the rf failsafe going.
Take home message is 1. definitely install new firmware and 2. the online setup videos are not so great. In fact, there was precious little guidance at all. You guys really made it possible or, at least, saved me many hours. I’m used to computers and programs so I expect to need my persistence.
I don’t blame you for referencing those videos, as they are provided by the manufacturer. They are also terrible.
If you haven’t followed any of the tuning guidance, don’t bother with more hardware until you do. It should take a few hours, minimum.
I discovered this flight controller has no sd card slot. Not sure if that is going to complicate some of this.
If it has no SD card slot, and no memory for storing logs, then you’re going to just stabbing in the dark trying to get this set up. Are you really convinced this is the right board for your learning journey?
What Flight Controller is it? Post a photo. The references for that kit that I see shows it comes with a crap Pixhawk 2.4.8. Those all have Sd card slots.
If you come back and say the Sd card slot is not here on the end the arrow is pointing to you have an even bigger piece of junk:
I’m curious, how far you got into the Methodic Configurator before you launched that craft?
Well I am a bit blind and did not realize that is an SD card port. Thought it was just a tab that held the box together. I had to do some summer stuff with kids and work but am back at it! I launched with the specs the company provided but only once and am now watching all the methodic configurator videos.
If something is unclear, just ask.
Someone said this would take a few hours. It looks like days. But I want a versatile platform I can modify easily so that is the price. My first desire will be an object avoidance sensor. Optical flow, lidar… so many choices. Hard to decide. I would like to be able to move among branches so some vertical sense of its surroundings would be good. I was planning on hooking an RPI with OpenCV on it at some point but have some other controllers as well. If you have any sensor or controller opinions I am very interested!
That Flight Controller is not a good place to start with those goals.
