Posted: 8/9/2025 1:49:53 AM EDT
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I want to get back into flying RC, especially FPV. I haven't built anything in at least eight years, so I'm out of date. The last purchase I made was the original FrSky QX7 controller, I think. I intend to build a few fast quadcopters, and maybe a float plane with some mild autonomy for the lake. And maybe finally go bigger than 5" props for a quadcopter and do something longer range. I see EdgeTX has replaced OpenTX for all practical purposes. ELRS is the current thing for radio. There's now OpenIPC for digital video. That's exciting, digital vtx was brand new and largely trash last time I flew and now there's apparently a good amount of choice. Not really clear on all the digital stuff and how we got here but it sounds exciting and I'm glad DJI isn't the only option. It seems like Betaflight and Ardupilot are still the go-tos for teleop and autonomy respectively. INAV seems to be new, never heard of it before. Anything else I should be aware of? Any strong opinions you'd like to share? Any particularly good deals, especially for whatever the modern tinywhoop is? |
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Seems like you got a decent handle on it. Edgetx, elrs, betaflight. Don't get too excited about openipc yet. I don't do dji. So I may not be that well informed. But seems like they're hitting a rough patch. I don't do walksnail either and I think they've been hinting at a new generation. So maybe hold off there too. HDzero seems to be killing it. Then there's always tried and true analog. I have mostly analog yet with newer builds being HDZ. |
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I just built this 7″ for my buddy. I’m pretty new to the hobby myself, started earlier this year, and went all digital with DJI O4 Air Unit Pros. Unfortunately, there’s a customs/import issue with DJI right now. My 5″ O4 camera has been stuck with them for months, and they used to turn repairs around the same day, often at no cost. You’re definitely on the right track with EdgeTX and ELRS, both are great open source options. I would recommend AM32 for ESCs, as BLHeli_32 seems to have run its course. Another buddy actually gave me a sub-250 3″ to fly because he felt bad that my 5″ has been down for so long. Not sure if you’ve heard, but Betaflight 4.6 (still unreleased) will include GPS and altitude hold. There are also new 3D flight controllers coming out that let you fly inverted, low, and slow, similar to a helicopter. Attached File Attached File Attached File |
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Thanks all! I'm not as out of date as I thought, then.  Looking at my parts bin, I should be able to cobble a 5" together from what I still have. Didn't find it yet, but pretty sure I have a camera. I definitely need a VTX. I'll hold off on digital for a bit and keep learning before jumping in. Those with digital video, how well does it handle loss of signal, and reacquisition of signal? What kind of range are you getting, and what are you doing to get that range if anything non-stock (antenna, diversity, antenna tracker, etc.)? Originally Posted By raverill: ... Another buddy actually gave me a sub-250 3″ to fly because he felt bad that my 5″ has been down for so long. ... Good lookin' quads! I like the watermelon best.  As for the 3" loaner to hold you over: 3" were my favorite for a long time - nigh indestructible, fast enough to be fun but small enough to fly anywhere. I'll have to try some of these brushless whoops and build a few 3".
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Originally Posted By Mike327: Thanks all! I'm not as out of date as I thought, then. Looking at my parts bin, I should be able to cobble a 5" together from what I still have. Didn't find it yet, but pretty sure I have a camera. I definitely need a VTX. I'll hold off on digital for a bit and keep learning before jumping in. Those with digital video, how well does it handle loss of signal, and reacquisition of signal? What kind of range are you getting, and what are you doing to get that range if anything non-stock (antenna, diversity, antenna tracker, etc.)? Good lookin' quads! I like the watermelon best. As for the 3" loaner to hold you over: 3" were my favorite for a long time - nigh indestructible, fast enough to be fun but small enough to fly anywhere. I'll have to try some of these brushless whoops and build a few 3". Yup, my 5" Watermelon flies so damn good. On digital dropouts (DJI O4 Air Unit Pro with DJI goggles), video usually snaps back within 1 to 3 seconds if you stay calm. I’ve seen losses from heavy obstructions like trees or buildings, from damp fields with tall grass that soak up 5.8 GHz, and form RF interference like neighbors WiFi. When it happens, level out, climb smoothly, and add a slow yaw to regain line of sight, and avoid hard rolls or flips while blind. I’ve lost picture over a mile out and got it back just by gaining altitude; over open water with no obstructions I’ve gone about 3 miles. DJI shows bitrate in the OSD; once it drops near 10 Mbps, things get sketchy, so I start turning or ascending early |
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LOL! I haven’t flown RC airplanes since 1999 and I’m jumping back in. Holy shit! A radio is no longer just a radio. I’ve got to learn how to code! Fuuuuccckkkkkkk!!! Enter the wing type of your airplane…servo configuration, switch assignments on the Tx, which direction the runway is facing, color of your airplane, the name you want to call it. And then the Tx is good for a fleet of aircraft. Just make sure you pick the correct one before you fly. Talk about dial-a-crash! Back in my day you ordered a radio and it came with a receiver, a battery pack and 3 or 4 servos depending on how many channels it was. And why did they give you 3 servos with a 4 channel and 4 servos with a 6 channel? Now you pick out an Rx, muddle through the binary code of what all the part numbers represent for each receiver model, plug it into your computer with the optional data cord/plug that costs $25, update it to the latest software and register it online. Then you have to muddle through 87 different servo manufacturers and read up on each model of their servos. And of course you go to the hobby forums for insight to get nothing but shit posting and bad mouthing every brand but the one they masturbate to every night. I thought this was supposed to be a relaxing hobby?  And I’m just reading up on selecting an electric motor for a gas to electric conversion I want to do on a float plane for easy launching and retrieving. And let’s not forget the battery packs you have to store in an ammo can to keep from burning your house down. Even with my current glow set up build I have to completely pull the battery pack to plug in two different plugs from the battery pack to the charger. Back in the day it was a one wire plug in with an external jack mount by Dubro you built into the airframe. Okay, old man boomer rant off. Yea, it may not look like it but I’m really enjoying this shit.
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Originally Posted By amendment: I dont know shit about drones but just started flying planes, two flights in and I'm hooked. An fpv plane would be interesting Just remember, "low wing gets the stick!" :-) I have a bunch of FPV stuff (plane) but it been so long I don't remember any of the names/brands. |
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Came in hoping to see helicopters. Will leave disappointed. I did the FPV drone thing. On paper it sounds fascinating. I just got bored with it super, duper fast. Sold my drones. I'll stick with cars and helicopters. I had planes as a teenager but I have a lot of eye issues and can't see well at distance... 20/40 corrected so helis and cars work for me. And the helis especially require absolute dedication to fly, especially to fly well. Right up my alley. OP sounds like you've been in it before and coming back for more so sounds like it stuck for you. Hope you find something that brings you some happiness and stress relief. Always good to have a hobby you can do just about anywhere.  Oh, be aware of all the newer (aka since you were in it last) regulations regarding drones. Anything more than 249g requires registration, marking, and a transponder unless flown at an AMA sanctioned airfield. Not saying everyone does that but at least be informed on the laws. Up to you if you follow them but good to know them regardless. |
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AirUnit 04 if you can get one. This is the Avata2, no horizontal stabilization and not well suited for wind, but very easy to transport on planes for travel. I take it virtually everywhere as a checked bag and the batteries go in my carry on. Also have a Chimera V2 Pro with the AirUnit 04 but waiting on the next Betaflight release to get serious with it. The 04 allows you to use the same controller and goggles for different drones with ease.  Little Painted Desert, NE Arizona |
the kubota survived Javier is no longer an illegal alien...
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Originally Posted By AR15Texan: Got me, my last kit was a Carl Goldberg Eagle 2 Trainer kit with an Airtronics 75-MHz radio. https://i.ibb.co/1YxFCWbK/Carl-Goldberg-Eagle-2.png Wasn’t 75 MHz surface use? Airplanes were 72 MHz. A guy in my club back in 1995-1998 learned to fly with that airplane. He stuck to that one plane for over a year and mastered it. He could make it fly like a pattern plane. He bought a Goldberg Ultimate biplane kit and a YS120 to step up to next, but dropped out as fast as he joined up. Kind of odd. I ran into him a few years later and he said he got bored and gave it up. Still had the kit and engine sitting in his house. |