1.2g video transmission interefering with 2.4g spektrum

As my FPV sometimes get no response or clumpsy response in air, I determine to range check all my receivers with video on.
Gears : DX7, AR 6100, AR 6100E , AR 7000
Ground test result:

1) 1.2g video transmission on and with spektrum DX7 binding switch pressed: (Factory recommended range ~30steps ~90feet)
AR 6100, 6100e - less than 15 steps (40feet).
Ar7000 - 30 steps (90 feet), no more or less

Binding switch not pressed : All have range >90feet.

2) The test was repeated with the video transmission power off, and binding switch pressed:
All have range >90 feet

Switching on sequence - 1) video transmission, receiver, 2) DX7, 3) RC recevier
Different video transmission channel was tested. Some channel has worse gliches (those close to 1.2g, e.g. 1.17, 1.20, 1.21) and shorter range.

Weird enough, in ground test, the out of range may result in knock off (no control at all) for 4-7 seconds, till the DX7 is move closer in range and wait for 4-7 seconds. It seems it is not simply out of range. I guess the receiver is masked by the strong signal from the 1.2 video transmitter and drop it is channel and run to seek for new channel again.

This concord with my experience of occasional clumpsy control !

Knock off Deans meets 100A

This is the result !

Goodbye! Busybee FPV

The last second flight results in loss of propeller mid flight, and result in safe glide landing. Then fit in another 1080 propeller (another knock out of GWS). Presuming same current drawn.

Likely the last flight has an ESC overheat problem and cut off the BEC. The spektrum receiver (brand new 6100) regain control after 3 seconds. You can see at the end of the video how the plane went into left yaw spiral and regain control. Unluckily, the wind was harsh and attemp to fly it back to shore failed. Second BEC cut result in total loss of control and dive into sea.

Range test before you fly !

Found my trusted Spektrum starts to loss some control when model is far away. Range check and scarced me that the range decrease to 15 feet when binding switch pressed down (originally 30 steps~90 feet) . Take apart the receiver and found the antenna was broken inside the heat shrink, that mask the breakage) . Resolder the antenna and the range test goes back to 90 feet.

My second FPV

1.2m glider, detachable wing. Looks like multiplex glider. The main wing is reinforced with 8mm fiberglass tube. I make 2 pieces of neodym magnet at the contact point of the 2 pieces, such that no tape is needed to have a quick installationin in flying field. The package indeed comes along with all the small things you need, including the Y-cable, push rod, linkages, ... The foam is better than EPO, a new foam material HPC?
The front compartment can handle 3s 2200mAh, 3s 800mAh, video transmitter ...

Wingspan : 1127mmLength : 830mm
Fuselage + electronics weight : 430g
3s 1500 + 3s 800mAh (for video ) :230g
Camera +Transmitter : 50g
Total flying weight: 800g
2200kv , 5" propeller
Handles wind much much better than my previous BusyBee FPV.
I did not make a pan/ tilt camera for time saving, and from my previous lesson of not using a separate UBEC for 5 servos operation.



The stock outrunner sucks and half of the magnets migrated.
Remember, this glider has relatively small aileron control surface. It needs very large travel in order to have sufficient control on roll axis. Not even dream to have a complete roll.

RICCS Mirage Maiden

This is a very successful maiden. Wing Load is small and it glides great even with 3s 2000mAh lipo. 64mm outrunner EDF hits 300W and the speed is over 120kph. I took away the landing gears and rudder servo. It rolls perfectly in the fuselage axis and can do a tight loop. The foam is strong and does not wag likes the SAPAC F16 in strong gust.

The only comment is the aspect ratio.

Yamaha Piano regulating and voicing maintainence

The main frame is removed with 3 screws only. This is much easiler than I thought. Yamaha design is great and it just stands itself on floor.
Grooves can be seen on most hammer after prolong use. This results in too loud, or too bright a note.

Close up of the grooves. It was said that longer than 1cm grooves needs "repair". I found mine is ~5mm and is causing too bright a note, comparing with new piano in shops.
A non destructive way is used to revive the hammer. Traditional way is needling the side and upper/ lower end of grooves/ 1mm under the thickness of hammer +/- sanding / dremel to remove the grooves.
I use a smarter way of steaming and light brushing of the hammer. This can loosen the fiber of the hammer as the steam can deeply penertrate the compacted hammer fiber. This is non destructive and faster than the hot iron method. Remember do not use the copper brush too harsh as it will remove too much fiber.

The cured hammer puffed up , in comparison with the adjacent grooved hammer. I found a few key are much deeply grooved that the steaming method may not be able to give satisfactory result. Anyway, the piano now sounds more pleasant after partial steaming. I intentionally not have the lowest and highest pitch hammers be steamed, as it was said these notes are less frequently played, and thus less worn.

1 hour job and let the hammer dry completely before reinstallation.

Another set of 1/3" Sony 420 lines CCD

420TV lines CCD on right side.
Sony chipset 3142. Test quality almost same reoslution as the claimed 520 one. But the colour reproduction is not as good. AE reponse is fast as well.

My new set of 520TV lines 1/3" Sony CCD camera

Weight of 20g only. Sony CCD, 2 layer PC board. With a 75 degree angle lens.










Chipset is Sony 3172. Test of colour reproduction is excellent. AE is fast and low light exposure is really less than 1lux. The camera will auto switch to B&W mode in under 10 lux and result in very good noise free picture. I can say the quality is almost the same as my Sony PC101 DV camera.

Composite Rafale EDF 70mm

Easy to trick someone, as if it were twin exit.
Raw power : Hoffman Magnetics 1400W @ 4s x 100A. Singe 70mm 5 blades EDF. Thrust 1700g with intake lip.

Inside fuselage with oval exit cone : thrust decrease to 1350g.

Outside fuselage with intake lip : 3s, current ~70A and static thrust ~1250g.

Weight without lipo: 1340g.

I love the sexy boobs - intake !! The shock abosorber main gain is installed



The paint is very nice. Apart from the wing which has spray over plastic coating, that will fall off easily with cello tape.




Main gear installed over side of fuselage , which is stronger than the bottom of the fusealge. I find this easier and faster to install landing gear. Otherwise, the fusealge has to be cut open and some wooden mount needed to be fit inside, as the fuselage itself is quite soft.



The front wheel is steerable, and I plan to make the canard movable as well. Hard to find suitable material like 33cm 3mm aluminium rod/ tube.