NarCopter

Projects
Participants	Narya
Skills	Soldering, Electronics, Coding, Cameras
Status	Getting parts
Niche	Electronics
Purpose	Fun

The idea

Make a quad copter that can make pictures

• so stability is preferred over stunting
• would be nice if I could add auto navigation, but this is not required
• want to control the camera from the ground
• budget ~250 euro

Related and inspired by:

• Quadcopter_workshop
• Justa_copter_1
• AnusCopter

To do

• Gather info about comparable quad-copters
• Estimation of the weight, and figure out which parts are needed
• See which camera would be suitable (programmable simple lightweight cam)
• Think about the design
• Order parts
• Make the thing
• Learn to fly

Parts

A more detailed list is here: Parts-NarCopter.ods

• Body/frame (DIY)
  • Choose build and material: printed, wood, and/or carbon frame
  • Models Thingiverse
  • Carbon 4.50-8.50 euro per meter Muco
• Flight control board, with integrated camera control (gimbal and push-the-button support), and with GPS support
  • Comparison flight controlers
  • Crius all-in-one pro - $57.50, GPS has to be bought separately ~$30
  • MultiWii pro 2.0 with GPS module - $65
  • MultiWii mega pirate - $49 (same as crius?), GPS $18 (this one looks suitable)
• Transmitter
  • Turnigy 9Xr is modular and apparently it has better firmware than the 9X and backlit. The 9X can be modified to have same specs as 9Xr.
  • Needs a RF module. FlySky and Orange modules are compatible.
• Receiver - DSM2 (what is maximum distance?) or LRS
• Motors
  • Probably need a bit stronger motors than the Turnigy D2811/17 , because the total weight is higher (camera)
  • Turnigy D2811/14 brushless outrunner 1100kv, 160W (compared to 102W of the D2811/17), thrust ~650g (x4 = 2600g). Same weight and size as the D2822/17.
• Propellers
• Batteries
  • If a stronger motor is chosen a larger battery is needed, e.g. the 5000mAh 3S 20C lipo pack, this weights twice as much as the other one, but it the total flight time seems to be 150% of the smaller one
  • Lipo battery calculator
• Camera stabiliser thingies (ah, "gimbal" is the name for it)
  • Price range $15-$40, weight 80-200g
• Wires (probably enough of those at home), connectors and stuff

Totals with components of Justa_copter_1 and AnusCopter as basis
Weight incl camera: 1160g
Excl camera and mount: 904g
Total costs: 245 euro
Parts-NarCopter.ods

Spare

• battery
• motor
• props
• frame parts
• ...

NarCopter mini

Before I make a big one I'd like to get some flying experience with a small RTF (ready to fly) copter

• HK pocket quad V1.1
• Spare motors
• Spare props
• Spare motor mounts
• USB lipoly battery charger

$62 excl shipping

Thread about this copter

• OrangeRX DSM2 RF module (Turnigy compatible)

Ordered

1 January 2014

• Transmitter with RF module
• Parts for the NarCopter mini

Dutch law about recreational RC flights

Dutch law recreational flights (Dutch)

In short:

• Officially flights are not allowed, but an exception is made for recreational flights
  • Commercial use of copters is not allowed without permission
  • Recreation use is allowed and you don't have to ask for permission to fly
• Weight should be below 25kg
• The operator must be able to see the copter from the ground
  • Using camera's (first person view, FPV) to fly the copter outside of this range is not allowed
  • Camera's on the copter are allowed
• Safety
  • Do not fly above (groups of) people, buildings, sculptures, railways and highways
  • Flying above 30km roads in urban areas and 60km roads outside the city is allowed
  • Height: maximum 450m. Be sure to let someone else check if there is no aircraft nearby if you fly above 150m. The flight should not endanger aviation