Homemade UAV Part 1
In the present interesting future it is possible for stupid high school children to build their own homemade UAV (s)
It’s true! In high school I built my own unmanned air vehicle (UAV).
Although, I did not just sit down one day and decide to build a UAV. The homemade UAV evolved gradually. I have a hobby/habit/addiction called “radio controlled airplanes”. I build and fly these a lot, expect to see some many RC airplane related articles on this blog. Anyway, people have been mounting cameras on their RC airplanes for quite some time. Recently, these cameras have become wireless. This means that a person on the ground can view live video from an RC airplane flying up to 2 miles away using a 300 dollar wireless video kit.
Let me clarify, any flying object is technically an unmanned air vehicle. But, when the term “UAV” is thrown around what people think of is a futuristic airplane that can that can carry out military reconnaissance. My creation fits both definitions.
The homemade UAV is not a completely homemade UAV. I started with a Multiplex Easy Glider kit that I modified to fit the colloquial definition of a UAV with a hobbywireless.com transmitter, receiver, and high resolution micro camera. To understand the capabilities of my mostly homemade UAV please watch the video below. The specific products I used are displayed at the end of the video.
To build a duplicate of my homemade UAV you will need:
- A Multiplex Easy Glider or other large electric RC airplane that can carry a camera payload.
- A conventional radio controlled airplane transmitter and receiver to control the airplane (Look for “RTF models”, RTF means ready to fly which means that the kit comes with everything necessary to build and fly the plane)
- A micro video camera
- A wireless video transmitter
- A wireless video receiver
- A monitor (TV or computer screen with adapter) that accepts analog RCA connectors (the red white and yellow cables)
Multiplex Easy Glider Pro
Video Goggles, another monitor option
Video Transmitter
Video Receiver
Airplane radio control system: (left to right) transmitter, receiver, servo, battery
Micro Video Camera
Unfortunately my homemade UAV met an untimely end in 2007. Fortunately, I was recording.
The crash destroyed my micro video camera. I ordered a new one in the mail, it should arrive in 2-5 business days. I plan to modify my homemade UAV design. I will post pictures and build instructions in homemade UAV part 2.