All Questions
816
questions
3
votes
1
answer
153
views
What are the exact specifications of a RushFPV SMA connector?
I am designing a mount for a RushFPV SMA connector and have not been able to find the technical details.
I need:
The diameter of the connector
The distance between the mounting screw holes
The ...
- 4,402
10
votes
1
answer
155
views
Is flying a drone in Puerto Rico the same as flying one in the continental USA?
Puerto Rico, a US territory in the Caribbean, is under the jurisdiction of the USA but is exempt from some of its laws - for example, it is considered within the USA under immigration law (e.g. the ...
- 333
4
votes
2
answers
6k
views
How can I configure a servo in Betaflight?
I’m looking to make a drone capable of deploying a parachute, so I need a servo release mechanism.
How can I configure a servo and map it to a switch in Betaflight?
Thanks.
- 4,402
4
votes
1
answer
52
views
Kk2.1.6 falling in mid air and losing control
I am recently flying my DIY quadcopter built with lightweight aluminum bars and a kk2.1.6.
It was a very good experience until it suddenly started losing control and it fell midair. It tried to gain ...
- 259
8
votes
2
answers
473
views
What is the difference between FPV or LOS, angle or acro drones?
What is the difference between FPV or LOS, angle or acro drones? How are they different?
user149
3
votes
1
answer
47
views
What aviation regulations govern the use of drones in Ireland?
I am thinking about starting to fly drones in Ireland. What are the rules that are going to apply, and where can I find the latest information about the laws that govern the hobby in Ireland.
- 579
7
votes
1
answer
93
views
Drones to fly indoors
Due to the current situation, I can't go outside to fly my drone. What's a small and easy to control nano drone I can fly indoors (no camera necessary)? It should be easy to control as I don't want to ...
user149
5
votes
4
answers
398
views
r-xsr won't bind to qx7s
I'm trying to bind an r-xsr to a qx7s, but the receiver shows a solid red, green and blue light and won't bind.
I have updated the receiver to version 2.1.0 LBT and the transmitter to the EU version ...
- 2,634
9
votes
2
answers
541
views
I can't bind my S-FHSS Corona SBUS receiver with a jumper t16 transmitter. Are they compatible?
It says jumper t16 is S-FHSS compatible. I put my Corona receiver into SBUS mode, but I can't get them to bind. Are the two compatible?
- 323
7
votes
1
answer
293
views
What are 'Modes' of a transmitter / controller?
I have heard a lot of reference to the 'Modes' of a transmitter/controller.
What is the Mode of a remote controller, and what is the difference between them?
- 5,956
7
votes
2
answers
63
views
Free simulators to use when actual RC flying is not possible [closed]
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I haven't been able to fly any RC aircraft for many weeks.
Given that the pandemic shows no signs of slowing down, I'm preparing for the continuation of this situation ...
10
votes
3
answers
3k
views
What is the advantage of SBUS over IBUS?
Flight controllers have to implement an inverter to process the SBUS signal. Why is SBUS not just uninverted?
- 203
7
votes
1
answer
46
views
Methodology and sources for obtaining the correct replacement batteries for low-end RC aircraft
According to Mark's answer to this Drones and Model Aircraft SE question, I likely need to buy quite a few replacement LiPo batteries.
Finding large LiPo batteries for expensive aircraft is usually ...
9
votes
3
answers
157
views
What should I keep in mind when picking my first drone?
While I don't know much about drones yet, I've seen people use them to make awesome photographs and videos, and I want to be able to do that too.
Since I've never flown a drone, I'm looking for a ...
- 197
5
votes
1
answer
831
views
What is the analog video input pinout on the DJI FPV goggle?
I want to build an adapter cable for DJI FPV goggles analog video input. What is the correct connector type and the pinout for the analog signals?
- 215
8
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Betaflight Camera Angle
What does the camera angle setting in betaflight effect? Does it affect roles in acro? Does it affect angle mode?
I feel like it's just a setting that does not affect my life. Am I wrong?
5
votes
1
answer
285
views
TBS My VTX setting
There is a setting on the full-size CrossFire unit. What does "My VTX" do? What really happens when it's on vs off.
Does it affect my VTX if I'm using smart audio vs VTX to the transmitter?
3
votes
1
answer
73
views
How can I become a contributor developer for the Betaflight project? [closed]
I am a mobile developer for the Android platform and recently found I highly growing passion for self-built drones.
I have also noticed the community around this hobby is very collaborative and it ...
- 167
6
votes
1
answer
150
views
How can I set up differential thrust for a model airplane?
I have a Taranis Qx7 Radio and built an FT Mighty-Mini Scout which flew great, but now I want to put an extra motor and fly it using differential thrust. My understanding is that it needs to be set up ...
- 167
11
votes
4
answers
409
views
Drones for spelunking?
I do a lot of spelunking and I would like to know if anyone has some recommendation as to what type of drone would be the most useful in cave exploration with light and camera possibilities in total ...
- 301
11
votes
1
answer
693
views
Crossfire signal strength - comparing Immortal "L" vs "T"
Is there any detrimental effect on signal reception when mounting crossfire antennas in the Immortal "L" orientation compared to the traditional "T"?
- 113
15
votes
2
answers
4k
views
Why do the motors on my drone keep spinning up and max out when I run up the throttle on my radio on the bench?
When I test my drone for the first time and I run the throttle up form my remote with the props off the motors keep spinning even when I bring my throttle back down. Will my quad flip out if I put the ...
- 1,150
4
votes
1
answer
147
views
Take drone on a plane in Europe?
I want to take my small (<250 grams) drone on a plane in Europe? Are there any rules regarding this? Should the drone go in carry-on luggage or in the hold?
user149
11
votes
2
answers
457
views
Freshly built quadcopter/drone flips on takeoff
I just finished building my first quadcopter/drone and it flips when I try to take off.
What could be wrong?
What troubleshooting steps should I take to fix it?
- 751
14
votes
2
answers
678
views
What is circular polarization in antennae?
I've seen references to left-hand (LHCP) and right-hand circular polarization (RHCP) with respect to antennae, especially in reference to mushroom antennae. What's the difference between the two ...
- 5,898
9
votes
5
answers
150
views
New Prebuilt Drone flipping on takeoff
I have a small quadcopter drone, immediately on takeoff it flips upside down, this happens all the time.
What could be a potential problem?
Edit: It is prebuilt and bought from a shop and has never ...
user149
4
votes
1
answer
164
views
What is the most thrust dense copter configuration?
I need to make a compact drone that does not need to be fast, nor very power efficient*. I wanted to know what is the most mass I can lift with the smallest footprint**.
To make this question more ...
- 173
11
votes
2
answers
143
views
How to avoid a drone going out of range?
I have a simple drone (less than 250 grams), I want to fly it as high as possible to take photos with it, how can I make sure it doesn’t go out of range considering it has no altitude indicator? What ...
user149
12
votes
3
answers
4k
views
What does BEC, SBEC, UBEC, and OPTO mean for brushless motor ESCs?
I'm looking to purchase an ESC to go with a brushless motor. Many of the product pages include terms related to a BEC, such as SBEC, UBEC, and Opto.
What do those acronyms mean and how should I ...
- 749
6
votes
2
answers
196
views
What makes mushroom antennae so good at receiving and transmitting omnidirectionally?
I've seen many references saying that mushroom antennae (like the one shown below) are excellent at receiving and transmitting omnidirectionally. I have them on my drones' video transmitters and one ...
- 5,898
14
votes
4
answers
390
views
How to know if a place is a no-drone zone in the UK?
I live in the UK and often hear that a lot of places are "no-drone zones" meaning flying a drone there could get you a penalty.
Is there any database for these zones as often signage isn't clear?
user149
7
votes
3
answers
867
views
What process should I use to ensure my motors are spinning the correct direction when using Betaflight
I heard that a lot of problems occur due to one or more motors spinning the wrong direction. What process should I take to ensure that all my motors are spinning the correct direction if I'm using ...
- 751
8
votes
2
answers
13k
views
Why do brushless motors have 3 wires compared to 2 wires on a brushed motor? [closed]
I'm familiar with regular DC motors, which is what brushed motors appear to be. They have fixed stator magnets, rotor coils connected to the shaft and two brushes that power the coils at the right ...
- 749
17
votes
4
answers
2k
views
What's the advantage of props in VS props out?
I've heard that the quad will handle better if you reverse the propeller direction (props out), but is the difference noticeable? Especially for a relatively new pilot. Should you use props out from ...
- 2,634
10
votes
3
answers
5k
views
How can I reverse the direction of a brushless motor?
I have a brushless motor on my RC plane. After connecting it to an ESC and testing it I've found that it is spinning in the wrong direction.
How can I reverse the direction the prop is spinning?
- 749
16
votes
2
answers
1k
views
What does it mean for SBUS to be an inverted protocol?
I've heard talk about how F4-based flight controllers can't natively support the SBUS receiver protocol without special circuitry. What does this mean and what hardware is needed to invert an inverted ...
- 5,898
17
votes
3
answers
2k
views
How long can a LiPo pack be kept fully discharged before storage charging?
There is a reason LiPo packs are recommended to be stored at a storage charge. It is commonly known that storing a battery fully charged reduces its capacity and performance. What about storing ...
- 484
7
votes
2
answers
142
views
What is the smallest drone ever made?
There are nanocars and nanomachines in general.
I would be very impressed if a nano drone or nano-UAV existed, however, I would not be surprised if there has been something built on the microscopic ...
- 305
21
votes
2
answers
752
views
Is it safe to fly LiPo batteries after they get "puffy"?
Some of my LiPo batteries got "puffy" after a few months. Is it still safe to fly them, or should I safely dispose of them?
- 445
5
votes
1
answer
215
views
What is a ground loop and how does a common ground reduce video noise?
To reduce video noise, it is often recommended to add a common ground between VTX and camera to avoid ground loops. What is a ground loop, how does it add video noise and how can a common ground ...
- 4,402
11
votes
1
answer
168
views
How can foreigners fly non-nano drones in India?
According to some pages I found online, foreigners who want to fly non-Nano drones (drones over 250 grams) in India must lease their drone to an Indian entity who has authorizations from the Indian ...
- 404
10
votes
2
answers
444
views
Should Crossfire transmitter antenna orientation match receiver antenna orientation?
I've always heard that you should orient the antenna on the Crossfire transmitter vertically, with the ends pointing up and down. I've also heard that you should do the same with the receiver antenna (...
- 203
11
votes
5
answers
420
views
How can I safely parallel charge my LiPo batteries?
I have multiple LiPo batteries that I want to charge up so I can get out flying as fast as (safely) possible.
With my existing LiPo charger, how can I parallel charge multiple batteries at once?
- 749
10
votes
2
answers
89
views
What is a safe amount of time a LiPo pack can be kept fully charged before it is discharged to storage capacity?
Is there any research that shows the actual decrease in capacity/performance/longevity of high discharge current LiPo batteries, like those used in quadcopters, depending on the total time they spent ...
- 484
-1
votes
1
answer
78
views
How does weight factor into legal allowance in Germany? [closed]
I'm in Germany and I want to buy a drone. Are there any weight-dependent flight restrictions?
- 289
5
votes
1
answer
59
views
The earliest recorded use of a UAV for military use was in July 1849, but if we include non-military UAVs, was there anything earlier?
The history of drones Wikipedia article starts with the Austrian incendiary balloons of July 1849 as the first recorded use of UAVs for the military.
Was this the earliest record of any UAV, whether ...
- 305
11
votes
2
answers
660
views
What does KV mean on motors?
I've seen ratings on brushless DC motors like this one for something called KV. What does that rating mean?
- 5,898
10
votes
4
answers
479
views
What does the C rating on a LiPo battery mean?
I see LIPO batteries specify a C rating on the label.
What does that stand for and how does it affect the performance of the battery?
- 749
7
votes
1
answer
100
views
How to restore LiPo-powered aircraft that have not been flown for years?
I have a bunch of relatively inexpensive battery-powered radio-controlled aircraft that I haven't flown in over a year. I haven't flown some of them in over 3 years.
The aircraft are airplanes, ...
7
votes
1
answer
773
views
Why do 48KHz ESCs increase flight time?
I was looking at ESC settings for whoops/toothpicks and have seen how the 48KHz JESC firmware can increase flight time. Why is this? Thanks!
- 4,402