I finished setting up my gimbal and it works great! The little rocker knob also has built-in speed change if you hold it longer. It’s nice to see the radio channel outputs on QGC when making changes.
I used channels 11 and 12 for X3 and Y3 in the Equipment Helper and then changed the R12 outputs from CH1 and CH2 to CH11 and CH12 using the Function button procedure. There is no reason to have an output on the CH1 or CH2 PWM pins if you are using SBUS to the Pixhawk. Button B is my gimbal 3-mode setting. I hadn’t realized before that the buttons can do three positions (like the switches) when using a long press…very nice!
Once again…everything worked! After focusing on ArduPlane and VTOLs for a few years, I had forgotten just how much more configurable ArduCopter was with spare channels. This is my current setup.
I understand the patch is a yagi so I hope it go in flat position, I test like that in my 16km rover test ( https://youtu.be/T1zFct7Mbsg ) full signal but better if others can confirm it.
I finished installing my R12 air unit and it looks pretty clean. The air unit replaced my X8R, telemetry unit, and MavLink to FrSky invertor.
QGC has nice audibles for things that change the Arducopter functions but not for channel-only changes like camera modes, IOC, etc., so I will miss Amber for some of these functions.
The Skydroid Dual UVC receiver works great! You can also buy it in the US here from Banggood. You just missed the sale for $21/ea. I bought 2 of them. Cao says they are rebranded for Eachine so they are the same.
My first dual-MavLink test was very successful! I didn’t have any experience with dual MavLink connections but it seemed to work perfectly. QGC was connected to the Skydroid M12L via Bluetooth and Mission Planner via USB. It seems that whoever sends the last command gets the update. I also had my UVC video running from my Tarot 680 Pro on Mission Planner.
5.8 ghz transmitter. A good one. Perhaps a power filter just to keep your power clean.
Toss in a camera.
Your good to go.
Perhaps an OSD if you in need ot data.
Thank you for that. I really don’t have time to research a lot and know I can trust you guys to tell me something that will work! (I should have asked on a new thread to keep from junking this one up even more).
ImmersionRC is a good name and if you are buying in the US, you can get it from ReadyMadeRC. I like the 600mW 5.8GHz video Tx. because you can power it from 2s to 6s and the onboard quiet switching regulator powers 5V cameras.
In fact, communication distance is an interval concept. If I had to give an answer, I would give 0-100km.
Our longest flight distance is 60 km, and we record videos. In fact, there are signals that the aircraft is powerless. Not everyone has such aircrafts to test. So only Cala tested the 17 km signal with a truck at ground pull distance, thanks to the video Cala recorded. Friends who are interested in distance can test it, of course, with fixed wings.
Thanks for the 3D mount. I ended up just running the coax through some nyrod plastic outer tubing and crossing them in an inverted V formation. The assembly can slide along the carbon tube if I need to remove the R12L.
My Skydroid finally came in. The tracking info provided in the Aliexpress site was for someone else’s order. I had been out of town and it arrived while I was gone but was just put in my office without anyone letting me know. In any event, looks like everything’s in good order and have started to install it in an Opterra 2m BNF where I pulled out the Spektrum AR636A to retrofit an mRo Pixhawk 1. Here are some pix of the installation and my thoughts of the M12L so far.
I use the PX4 Stack, not ArduPilot so a lot of the functionality within the Skydroid Tower app is unusable to me, i.e. it doesn’t display any RSSI value and the Flight Mode is stuck to Manual. QGC will have to be my primary option but no UVC integration. Hopefully @DonLakeFlyer would figure out the UVC integration.
I’m using a Samsung Tab A that’s 514g/18.1oz so try as I might, without overtightening the mounting screws, it won’t hold it at my ideal lean and tilt angles. I will have to find and replace the washers that would have a higher friction to hold it.
Even with the gimbal spring tensioner maxed out, the sticks are still too light for me. I’ll live with it for now but hoping to find something stiffer. @SKYDROID maybe you can check with your vendor?
As with @Romeo_E wishlist, the ability to mix channels would be a boon. This is more specific to using more than three flight modes through combinations of 3-way switches. I know… I know… it’s not a Tx… I just like to standardize things so whether I’ll be flying with a Taranis or Skydroid system, muscle memory on switch functions and locations are the same.
I think that with some slight machining of the backside opening of the tablet holder, the dual antenna UVC receiver would just about go in there. The UVC case is 41mm and the opening is only 40mm.
These old hands and arms tire out easily so I fly with a Tx tray on shoulder straps. I’m with @Romeo_E (Post #439), at the very least a neck strap mount is a welcomed feature. I opened the back panel and looks like there might be room on the top corners between the switch and the gimbal assembly to install neck strap mounts for a shoulder strap.
To accommodate my current needs, I took an old HobbyKing Wooden Tx tray and rough cut it to fit the Tx. Now I just need to get a couple of neck strap mounts on it and she’ll be fully functional.
I was hoping to maiden this tomorrow but looks like the stock EFlite 40A ESC won’t work with an FC. A ZTW 60A ESC won’t arrive until Monday.
Some installation pix. Comments are certainly welcome.
I had this mount printed and boy she’s a bit tight. I think it’s snug enough that you can eliminate the lip you added by the “front door”. I think that would make it slide in easier so both the mount and UVC can be stored in the Tx case separately. It fits really well in the hole.
