Tutorials, Hacks and How-to

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Overview of the Beginner's Guide to FPV Drones series Welcome to the first installment of the Beginner's Guide to FPV Drones series. I'm Orbitz, and in this tutorial, I will delve into the various styles of FPV flying, helping you understand its diversity and the fun it offers. Whether you're just starting out with FPV drones or already have some experience, this tutorial will provide you with valuable information and insights. Let's embark on an exciting journey to explore the fascinating world of FPV drones together! As a beginner, it is especially important to plan your direction in FPV drone flying. Setting clear goals and motivations for yourself can help you learn and grow more effectively. Currently, there are three main types of FPV drone flying: cruising, acrobatics, and aerial photography. Let's explore their characteristics and charms together! Types of FPV Drone Flying The first type: Cruising Cruising is one of the fundamental ways to fly FPV drones, and it is suitable for beginners to familiarize themselves with the controls and flight characteristics. In cruising, the focus is primarily on speed and competition, so the maneuvers are relatively simple. Common maneuvers include snake-like sharp turns and various looping actions. By…...

To achieve optimal performance from your FPV drone, it is important to have a good understanding of propellers. These are the key components that determine the power, responsiveness, and smoothness of your aircraft. Propellers come in various shapes, sizes, and blade counts, and they attach to the motor hub. Therefore, it is important to choose suitable propellers to ensure your FPV drone performs optimally. 1. Basic principles of propellers 1.1 Overview of components A propeller is a device that relies on the rotation of the propeller blades in the air to convert the power of motor rotation into propulsive force and can have two or more blades connected to a hub, with the backward side of the blade being a spiral or nearly so. The propeller's propulsive power at different speeds directly determines the maneuverability of the crossing aircraft, so this component directly determines the properties of the aircraft. 1.2 Range of use All single-axis and multi-axis aircraft. 1.3 Explanation of terminology 1.3.1 Diameter (D) One of the important parameters affecting the performance of the propeller. Generally speaking, the diameter increases with the tension and the efficiency increases with it. Therefore, if the structure allows, try to choose a propeller…...

  Know Better About ESC From 5 Perspectives Electronic speed control (ESC), which an be divided into brushless motor electronic speed controls and brush motor electronic speed controls, is an indispensable part of the FPV. The following are some basic knowledge about brushless motor electronic speed controls, which is widely uesd compared with  brush motor electronic speed controls, from five perspectives in order to have a better view ahout it. What is the function of  ESC? Brushless motor powering The brushless motors are often powered by 3-phase AC power from the Brushless Electronic speed control systems, such as a variable frequency drive (VFD). In comparison to standard brushed motors, these types of motors are more popular because of their strength, efficiency, light weight, and durability. In comparison to brushed motor controllers, BLDC motor controllers are quite complex. Speed controlling Since this motor's speed can be altered by altering the voltage on its armature, various speed controllers are required. This type of motor requires a variety of operating guidelines, such as the ability to modify the motor speed by altering the timing of pulses for current supplied to the various motor wingings. Battery Eliminate Circuit Most of the components of the…...

Hello everyone, today we will talk about the techniques of POWER LOOP. Firstly, we need to get to know what the POWER LOOP we are going to do looks like. POWER LOOP is shown in the figure. We let the plane fly forward, then pass through the first crossbeam of the iron tower, draw a circle, complete a complete circular motion, and then continue to fly forward. This is the power loop we need to do. We need to try our best to make this circle as round as possible. Now let's analyze this iron tower first. As shown in the figure, the iron tower has two beams, one in front and one in back. What we need to do is to circle around the first beam. The motion technique is to first let the aircraft fly forward, flying over the lowest part of the first beam. Be sure to fly over the lowest part of the first beam before the aircraft can start flying upwards. Otherwise, if you go up early, you may easily hit the beam. Now let's start watching the flight demonstration 1,Hold the throttle close to the bottom of the first crossbeam and try to fly as close…...

As with any electronic device, brushless drone motors can overheat if they're not properly maintained or used within their specified limits. Overheating can cause damage to the motor and potentially lead to a crash. In this article, we'll take a closer look at how to know if your brushless drone motor is overheating. Symptoms of Overheating Here are some common symptoms of an overheating brushless drone motor: Reduced Performance: If your drone is not performing as well as it used to, it could be a sign that the motor is overheating. You may notice decreased speed or power, or your drone may have difficulty maintaining altitude. Unusual Sounds: Overheating can cause your motor to make unusual sounds, such as grinding or whining. If you hear any unusual sounds coming from your motor, it's best to land your drone and inspect the motor for damage. Hot Motor: If your motor is too hot to touch or is emitting smoke, it's a clear sign that it's overheating. In this case, you should immediately land your drone and allow the motor to cool down before attempting to fly again. Causes of Overheating There are several factors that can contribute to an overheating brushless…...

The short answer is yes, you can replace a brushless drone motor yourself. However, it's important to note that replacing a motor can be a complex process, and it requires some technical knowledge and skill. If you're not comfortable working with electronics or don't have experience with drone repair, it's best to leave the job to a professional. Steps to Replace a Brushless Drone Motor If you do decide to replace your brushless drone motor yourself, here are the steps you'll need to follow: Remove the old motor: Begin by removing the old motor from your drone. This may require removing screws or other components that are holding the motor in place. Disconnect the wires: Once the motor is free, disconnect the wires that are connected to it. Take note of how the wires are connected so that you can reconnect them properly later. Install the new motor: Install the new motor in the same location as the old one, and connect the wires to the corresponding terminals. Test the motor: Once the new motor is installed, test it to ensure that it's working properly. If everything is functioning as it should, reassemble your drone and test it again. Conclusion…...

When it comes to building a drone, one of the most important components is the motor. A brushless drone motor is a type of motor that has become increasingly popular in recent years due to its many advantages over traditional brushed motors. So, what is a brushless drone motor? Simply put, a brushless drone motor is an electronically commutated motor (ECM) that does not have brushes. Instead, it uses a series of magnets and coils to generate motion. Unlike brushed motors, which rely on physical contact between brushes and a commutator to generate motion, brushless motors use electronic signals to control the motion of the motor. There are several advantages to using a brushless drone motor. One of the biggest advantages is that they are more efficient than brushed motors. This is because they do not have brushes that create friction and waste energy. As a result, brushless motors are able to produce more power while using less energy. Another advantage of brushless drone motors is that they are more durable than brushed motors. Because they do not have brushes that wear down over time, they are able to last longer and require less maintenance. This makes them ideal for…...

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Did you just get your first drone for Christmas? Or maybe Hanukkah? Then this post is for you. Over the last few years drone prices have gone down while their quality has continued going up, making them a popular present for people who are curious about aerial photography, into flying, or just love technology in general. So first, we want to say welcome! We write regularly about drone technology and regulations here, and we’re glad you found us as you begin your drone journey. To get started, there are a few important things you need to know—let’s dive in. Image source ARE YOU FLYING FOR FUN OR FOR WORK? The first thing to think about when you get a new drone is how you plan to use it—will you be flying for fun or for work? Federal drone regulations in the U.S. are created by the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration). If you’re going to fly for fun then you’ll be viewed as a recreational flyer by the FAA, and you’ll follow the rules for recreational flyers. On the other hand, if you’re going to fly for work then you’ll be viewed as a commercial drone pilot, and there will be a different set…...

Skydio just released a major drone firmware update for its Skydio 2+. One of the biggest new features that comes with the update is the addition of the Panorama skill, a flight skill that lets you take horizontal, vertical, and spherical panoramic shots. The update also provides new features for the Scout skill, the Keyframe skill, as well as several other upgrades. Watch the video below for an overview, and keep reading to get all the details. https://youtu.be/KWzklvFxUBo WHAT ARE SKYDIO FLIGHT SKILLS? Flight skills are autonomous flying modes made to let users capture specific shots or have their drone fly in a specific kind of way. The first flight skill Skydio released was Keyframe. It was unveiled along with the Skydio 2+ just about one year at CES 2023. Keyframe lets users set a specific flight path defined by key shots, or frames, and then the drone flies that path autonomously to create a smooth video of it. Real estate marketing is one of the most popular use cases for Keyframe, but it’s also good for general aerial cinematography. https://youtu.be/xQGupL95m9Q The second flight skill Skydio released was Scout, which came out in September of last year. Scout lets users establish a…...

  How to Flight Software Downloads？ There are a few open-source programs that allow for complete control and customization of the Drone Soccer Ball flight computer. Betaflight is a fully programmable flight controller software used to configure the firmware embedded in the computer flight controller onboard multi-rotor craft aircraft. Betaflight is open-source and available FREE in several formats. Download the Betaflight Configurator:   RECOMMENDED Flight Software Downloads- Install from Github:  https://github.com/betaflight/betaflight/releases/tag/4.2.11 Install as Chrome extension (this version is no longer supported, but still functions well for use on Chromebooks): https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/betaflight-configurator/kdaghagfopacdngbohiknlhcocjccjao Download the BLHeli Configurator - software to program the four onboard Electronic Speed Controllers. Motor direction and firmware updates are most common uses. RECOMMENDED Flight Software Downloads - Install from Github: https://github.com/blheli-configurator/blheli-configurator/releases Install as Chrome extension: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/blheli-configurator/mejfjggmbnocnfibbibmoogocnjbcjnk Connecting flight controller to computer With either program open, connect the USB cord to the drone then into the computer. You should see the modem identified and the program will likely auto-connect. If not, click on the “Connect” button. If this does not work, try alternate USB ports. MicroUSB cords are often utilized solely for charging and many DO NOT have a data connection. These power cables are a frequent source of frustration when drones will not connect to a…...

The DJI FPV drone is an incredibly well rounded FPV drone, perfect for those getting into the hobby. It does have a few shortcomings (very easily wrecked, expensive, camera isn’t quite as good as the GoPro etc) but overall it is a great machine. Here is a list of tweaks, tips and tricks to get the most out of your FPV drone. DJI FPV Drone Tips, Tricks and FAQs “My FPV drone constantly drifts even though I’m not touching the sticks” This is typically due to one of two things: A) You haven’t yet locked onto enough satellites. You’ll want a minimum of at least 7-10 satellites prior to taking off (unless of course you are flying in manual mode). To properly figure out its position the DJI FPV drone needs enough satellites to get an accurate GPS lock B) You need to do an IMU calibration. The IMU is the little sensor inside the drone that sorts out which way is up and how the drone is moving through the air. If you are experiencing drift issues it may be worth calibrating the DJI FPV drone IMU. “My goggles stopped updating the OSD (On Screen Display) information and all…...

As the technology behind FPV quadcopters Build becomes more advanced and less expensive, the number of enterprising hobbyists buying into the sport increases proportionately. Generally, the natural progression through the hobby involves a new pilot buying a ready-to-fly drone, flying and (often) crashing it, and then deciding to build one out of hand-picked parts. This can be a daunting task, especially for those without a background in electronics. With the right tools and the right information, though, building and flying an FPV quadcopter can be a rewarding and exciting experience. Enter the Armattan Chameleon When I was looking at parts for my first freestyle build in early 2018, one frame that kept appearing in my searches was the Armattan Chameleon. It looked really cool and innovative with its built-in camera cage, I appreciated the concept of a lifetime bumper-to-bumper warranty in a quad that was probably going to take some abuse, and it didn’t hurt that Joshua Bardwell lists the Armattan Chameleon as ‘The New Top Dog’ in his Freestyle Frames Shopping List. The Armattan Chameleon has a sturdy, 4mm thick uni-body main plate with a motor spacing of 220 mm. Just by looking at it, you can tell it doesn’t…...

A single drone can use up to five feet of FPV drone wire to connect its electrical components together. The wire thickness used for connecting different components together also varies depending on the power that component uses. In this guide, I will discuss what gauge/thickness of sure you should be using for each FPV drone component as well as providing some suggestions for cable management to make your build neater and easier to work on. A Reminder About Voltage Current and Resistance The resistance (R) of a wire is defined by its materials resistivity (p), length (L) and cross-sectional area (A). These variables are linked by the equation: R=pL/A Thin, long wires will have a high resistance and thick, short wires will have a low resistance. An increase in resistance effectively decreases the quantity of power that a wire can deliver to a component. For your motors, this means less performance. To read more on voltage, current, power and resistance, you can read my article on 6S vs 4S LiPO batteries. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row] FPV Drone Wire Gauge Wire diameter is measured using its gauge. The following table lists the most common FPV drone wire gauges and their corresponding diameters. GetFPV sells most…...

Drone Control Methods: Thumbs vs. Pinch. The eternal debate goes on, as to whether it is better to exclusively use your thumbs to control the radio sticks, or to use both your thumbs and pointer fingers for control over your radio. There are pros and cons to both ways, and in this article, I will be presenting both sides of the argument so that you can make the best possible decision for yourself. This article was submitted through the GetFPV Community Program by Lawrence Ro. Disclaimer: This article was written solely by a member of the FPV Community. Views and advice in this article are that of the author and does not reflect the opinion or views of GetFPV. Drone Control Methods Thumbs The first way most people hold it is the good old-fashioned game controller way, known as “thumbing”. This is usually the way many toy quadcopter transmitters are meant to be held, as well as RC airplane transmitters. Most of the time, when people transition from the toy quad to an FPV rig, the familiar feel translates into “thumbing” for more advanced radio systems such as the Taranis or Spektrum. This is totally fine, as it is usually more intuitive holding…...

Not all of us are blessed with time and space to set up a FPV Racing Practice Track course every time we go out to practice. Some of us have limited practice obstacles such as gates and flags, while some of us lack time and space to build a course. The “four corners” FPV practice course can be set up quickly and can be adjusted for almost any obstacle at a drone race which maximizes time. Materials for Building the Four Corners FPV Racing Practice Track Field Minimum 2 gates, ideally 6 gates (Buy Here) Flags so the gates and flags add up to 6 (so if you have 2 gates 4 flags are ideal) Gates too expensive, build your own. Follow this video by UAVFUTURES By utilizing natural surroundings such as trees and soccer goals, the number of gates + flags can be lower than 6. Building the Practice Track Step 1 Take four gates or flags and set them in a square. All the gates should be facing the same way as the photo below. There are no exact measurements for this since you can make the track tight or wide. The rule of thumb is if you keep…...

While many consider flying an FPV aircraft the greatest hobby in the world, (me among them!) what other uses does an UAV (Unmanned Flying Vehicle) have?  What great and wonderful things can we do with these amazing aircraft?  Let’s explore what people use them for in today’s world. Aerial Photography One of the first and most common things that you will see UAV’s used for is photography.  While this comes in various forms, many of which we will get into later, let just look at the average hobbyist photographer.  While shooting photos with a camera is an excellent hobby that many enjoy, sometimes getting those amazing shots from above really sets the tone for a photo or video.  Things look different when viewed from a different elevation, and can change the experience of viewing that particular place or object. One need only look at a YouTube videos from many of the pilots out there for examples and inspiration, but the first that comes to mind are the videos from Team Blacksheep, one of which can be viewed below. Do you need specialized gear beyond your FPV rig?  No, if you want to capture epic shots like those in the video,…...

How to Crash like a Pro?Crashing is as big a part of FPV as flying and building, if not bigger. Each crash leads to improvement, and the bettering of your skills.  As Mark Twain said, “Name the greatest of all inventors.  Accident.”  To improve, you have to push your limit, try new tricks, and attempt to get even cooler and more risky shots.  As you push your limits, you will inevitably crash.  Although crashing and breaking gear can be a setback, there are good practices that can help you to avoid causing excessive damage and danger while crashing. This article was submitted through the GetFPV Community Program by Nicholas Jacobson.  You can check out more of his content on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube! Disclaimer: This article was written solely by a member of the FPV Community. Views and advice in this article are that of the author and does not necessarily reflect the opinion or views of GetFPV. Here is a link to a great video by JRIP FPV showing some of his crashes. When to Disarm An important part of crashing safely is knowing when to disarm.  Disarm too early and your quad could be falling from 20+ feet, which can be hazardous to people, property, and…...

In every drone racing track, there are a number of the different moves the pilot has to do going from gate to gate, flag to flag, in order to finish a lap. To beginners, this may look like just going through gates randomly, but when the track is broken down, there are actually many simple elements combined to create a giant course. Captain Vanover has said in this video that by just practicing elements separately, you can become a much faster racer. No more excuses for the people that only have a few gates! This article was submitted through the GetFPV Community Program by Ervin Liao.  You can check out more of Ervin’s content at his YouTube, and Instagram. Disclaimer: This article was written solely by a member of the FPV Community. Views and advice in this article are that of the author and does not necessarily reflect the opinion or views of GetFPV. In this article, I will cover the most common elements in drone racing, from the easiest to the more difficult elements, showing you how to set them up and how to fly them. These include: A simple gate 180-degree turn (Flag or Gate) Slalom (gate and flag) Split-S and Reverse Split-S Corkscrew Carousel…...

As cold weather encroaches, FPV pilots around the world flock to the simulators with the goal of keeping skills sharp, learning new tricks, and improving general racing/freestyle. While there are many simulators available, the best ones often cost money. However, one simulator, Flowstate, not only provides an excellent flight experience, but is also free! Flowstate is an open-source simulator created by pilot Sky FPV. He wanted to design a simulator that had realistic physics and worked well on low-end machines to help people learn how to fly FPV racing drones. In this article, we will conduct a general overview of this simulator, notable features, cover the system specs and setup that Flowstate runs on, and of course, compare it to other FPV simulators. This article was submitted through the GetFPV Community Program by Lawrence Ro.  You can check out more of his content on YouTube. Disclaimer: This article was written solely by a member of the FPV Community. Views and advice in this article are that of the author and does not necessarily reflect the opinion or views of GetFPV. First look Upon opening Flowstate, you are greeted with a simple menu. If this is your first time using Flowstate, make sure to…...

So, you just built your first FPV racing drone and you want to get fast, but in order to do so, you need PRACTICE. LOTS and LOTS of practice. However, every time you get to the field, you don’t know what to do. There are a plethora of track elements that you have seen, and lots of tracks you want to try. In this article, I will take you through my formula of designing an effective and fun practice track quickly, that you can use to design your own tracks and improve your flying skills. I even used the same formula for MultiGP Global Qualifier track submission that landed me in the top 5!   This article was submitted through the GetFPV Community Program by Ervin Liao.  You can check out more of Ervin’s content at his YouTube, and Instagram. Disclaimer: This article was written solely by a member of the FPV Community. Views and advice in this article are that of the author and does not necessarily reflect the opinion or views of GetFPV.   Recommended Materials To design a practice track, you will need some gates and flags. I recommend at least five gates and 2 flags, but at minimum, you should have…...

In this tutorial I will show you how to update EdgeTX in your radio step-by-step (flashing new version of EdgeTX or migrate from OpenTX). This guide should apply to most if not all OpenTX and EdgeTX radios, including the TX16S, T16, Zorro, Boxer, T-Lite, T-Pro and Taranis. What is EdgeTX? EdgeTX is an open source firmware for RC radio transmitters. The popular OpenTX project is known to have a slow pace development, so EdgeTX team took it upon themselves and try to bring more rapid radio firmware development to the RC/FPV community. If you don’t want to wait a long time for new features to be implemented in OpenTX, then you could give EdgeTX a try today. EdgeTX is a fork of OpenTX, which means it’s very similar to OpenTX (so the transition is almost seamless), and EdgeTX should work on any OpenTX compatible radios. Supported Radios Black & White LCD Screen BETAFPV LiteRadio 3 Pro FrSky QX7 / QX7S / QX7 ACCESS / QX7 ACCESS FrSky X9 Lite / X9 Lite S FrSky X-Lite / X-Lite S / X-Lite Pro FrSky X9D / X9D+ / X9D+ SE FrSky X9D+ 2019 / X9D+ SE 2019 Frsky X9E / Frsky X9E…...

In this tutorial I will show you how to setup Walksnail Avatar FPV System with Betaflight. I will cover how to wire and install the VTX in an FPV drone, how to pair the Air Unit to the FPV goggles, explain all the video settings and how to use the system. FPV Goggles The Fatshark Dominator HD and Walksnail Avatar are basically the same goggles, just different in colour, hence the firmware are compatible too. Goggles Antennas Users have been reporting mixed results in performance with the stock antennas that come with the Avatar Goggles (bad range and poor signal quality). I got the Fatshark version and they didn’t come with any antennas so I am not able to verify that claim. But it’s recommended to replace them with aftermarket antennas as soon as you get the goggles. The Walksnail Avatar system work ok with just four onmi antennas, but if you have the budget it’s recommended to use a combination of onmi antennas and patch antennas. The patch antennas allow you to get better penetration and range in front of you, and the onmi antennas provide decent signal reception all around you. To really push range you can use only directional…...