FCC regulations for FPV video transmitters

[Astro54]

Found my Fatshark FCC VTX. Going to rig it up on something and get it out to the field soon....
View attachment 237526
Probably something I fly LOS all the time. Maybe this would be good for the getting stupid with the Tiny Trainer thread too....

Some crazy FPV flying with a low power VTX

I have a couple of these and others that I want to install on my ELRS Sonicmodell Binary Not sure where to mount them yet. I wish the antennas could be detached from the VTX. But I have other FPV cameras as well I currently have a Crazypony in the cockpit but I will change that out with a PAN-TILT and use a Fat Shark camera. I am also buying a Head Tracking module along with a 2 Watt FPV RF Amplifier with 3.2Dbi gain. I will also be using both receive and transmit High Gain Antennas. I am hoping to get at least 50km-70km flights with this aircraft. Running (2) 4s 14.8v @ 6500mAh Batteries. This also has a Mapping Camera Bay in the belly of the fuselage. I may install my GoPro in the camera bay. It also has GPS, Remote ID, Flight Stabilizer Gyro. I also have 3 way camera switch so I can switch from one camera to the next via one of the toggle switches on the transmitter. I will use either Spektrum or Fly Sky with OpenTX protocol. I had to get my HAM license,Trust Certification and Registration # in order to be able to fly this. It also has a Ground Base System for longer than Line of Sight flights.Under certain circumstances I will be required to have Wavier approval to fly in certain areas and more than 400ft elevation. I have several other RC Airplanes, but not quite as equipped. KE8ZCE

 

[JasonK]

At least a Technician HAM license is required for transmitting Video and Audio from an FPV Transmitter. Registration is also required for Drones or Fixed Wing Aircraft and the Registration # must be displayed on the aircraft. Also a TRUST Certificate is also required and can be obtained by taking the Exam on the AMA site. Anything above 55 lb requires a Remote Pilot Certification. I just received my Tech license and I also have my Registration # and My Trust Certificate along with Remote ID # . I am not 100% sure how may Watts can be used legally.. I am thinking 1-2 watts max. Anything .55lb (253gr) are not required to be registered if flown in a FRIA.

you have some mistakes here...

• anything sub 250g/.55lb doesn't require a registration nor RID to be flown _anywhere_ that is legal to fly [still can't fly near airports for example]
  • unless it is commercially, then it has to be registered and have RID
• trust cert can be taking multiple places, not just AMA site
• it is generally put at 1W, as there is a 1W limit "for RC control" thing in the FCC Ham rules
• anything hobby flown at a FRIA doesn't need a RID (this is all a FRIA gets you, is no RID needed)
• if the FPV gear is FCC certified, then you don't need a HAM license, but I don't think any of the gear currently used is... except maybe the DJI stuff.

 

[Astro54]

you have some mistakes here...

• anything sub 250g/.55lb doesn't require a registration nor RID to be flown _anywhere_ that is legal to fly [still can't fly near airports for example]
  • unless it is commercially, then it has to be registered and have RID
• trust cert can be taking multiple places, not just AMA site
• it is generally put at 1W, as there is a 1W limit "for RC control" thing in the FCC Ham rules
• anything hobby flown at a FRIA doesn't need a RID (this is all a FRIA gets you, is no RID needed)
• if the FPV gear is FCC certified, then you don't need a HAM license, but I don't think any of the gear currently used is... except maybe the DJI stuff.

im old give me a break,

 

[Astro54]

would the Technician one work or would I need something else?

Technician is all you need for FPV operation, I got my HAM license last September just for this purpose. But I also operate other HAM Radio equipment.. KE8ZCE. And I believe 1 watt is the legal limit of a VTX. Some fields require a TRUST Certificate as well, and same as drones, your FAA ID# has to be displayed in plain site on all of your aircraft, drone or fixed wing.

 

[Astro54]

Found my Fatshark FCC VTX. Going to rig it up on something and get it out to the field soon....
View attachment 237526
Probably something I fly LOS all the time. Maybe this would be good for the getting stupid with the Tiny Trainer thread too....

Some crazy FPV flying with a low power VTX

I have a few of these Fat Shark VTX.

 

[DaveM]

Technician is all you need for FPV operation, I got my HAM license last September just for this purpose. But I also operate other HAM Radio equipment.. KE8ZCE. And I believe 1 watt is the legal limit of a VTX. Some fields require a TRUST Certificate as well, and same as drones, your FAA ID# has to be displayed in plain site on all of your aircraft, drone or fixed wing.

Astro54, Thank you for getting your ham license so you may operate FPV legally. As others have said, all you need is your Technican license. Also, for everyone, take a look at the specs when you buy FPV. Some of the DJI FPV drones have a few channels which are FCC part 15 approved meaning you do NOT need a ham license to operate those DJI drones on those channels. And, yes, in the USA, 1 watt is the limit. You mentioned "some fields require TRUST". That's not correct, the FAA requires all of us to pass TRUST. It is easy and free and our good friends at Pilot Institute do this well. If you don't have your TRUST card, please go to Pilot Institute and take TRUST and carry the proof of passing TRUST with you when you fly. This is required in ALL situations (FRIAs, events, etc.).

And while we are on regulations, please download Air Aware and Air Control to ensure you are flying with legit airspace authorization. These apps are written by Aloft and are free for recreational ops.

 

[Houndpup Rc]

Astro54, Thank you for getting your ham license so you may operate FPV legally. As others have said, all you need is your Technican license. Also, for everyone, take a look at the specs when you buy FPV. Some of the DJI FPV drones have a few channels which are FCC part 15 approved meaning you do NOT need a ham license to operate those DJI drones on those channels. And, yes, in the USA, 1 watt is the limit. You mentioned "some fields require TRUST". That's not correct, the FAA requires all of us to pass TRUST. It is easy and free and our good friends at Pilot Institute do this well. If you don't have your TRUST card, please go to Pilot Institute and take TRUST and carry the proof of passing TRUST with you when you fly. This is required in ALL situations (FRIAs, events, etc.).

And while we are on regulations, please download Air Aware and Air Control to ensure you are flying with legit airspace authorization. These apps are written by Aloft and are free for recreational ops.

So if i am flying under 250grams I don't need anything but if its over 250grams you have to pass TRUST and then you are good until you hit 55lbs(or is it 50)?

 

[bisco]

what if i'm exactly 250g?

 

[Houndpup Rc]

what if i'm exactly 250g?

Carve off 1 gram of foam!!! lol

 

[Mr NCT]

what if i'm exactly 250g?

Inject a little helium

 

[Mr Man]

Inject a little helium

😂

 

[LitterBug]

Inject a little helium

It's more exciting and lighter with Hydrogen on board!

 

[Houndpup Rc]

Yeah that would be awesome! you could have a self destruction switch!!! Flip it right before you crash!! 😂🤣

 

[LitterBug]

So if i am flying under 250grams I don't need anything but if its over 250grams you have to pass TRUST and then you are good until you hit 55lbs(or is it 50)?

FYI, You are posting about FAA regulations on a thread for FCC regulations.... FPV has ALWAYS required an FCC license. FAA is a whole other story.... FYI TRUST is Free and info you should know anyway. Part 107 is the FAA bit that costs money and is required if you fly "professionally" It isn't based on weight.

 

[Houndpup Rc]

Stemming off of this.

At least a Technician HAM license is required for transmitting Video and Audio from an FPV Transmitter. Registration is also required for Drones or Fixed Wing Aircraft and the Registration # must be displayed on the aircraft. Also a TRUST Certificate is also required and can be obtained by taking the Exam on the AMA site. Anything above 55 lb requires a Remote Pilot Certification. I just received my Tech license and I also have my Registration # and My Trust Certificate along with Remote ID # . I am not 100% sure how may Watts can be used legally.. I am thinking 1-2 watts max. Anything .55lb (253gr) are not required to be registered if flown in a FRIA.

you have some mistakes here...

• anything sub 250g/.55lb doesn't require a registration nor RID to be flown _anywhere_ that is legal to fly [still can't fly near airports for example]
  
  • unless it is commercially, then it has to be registered and have RID
• trust cert can be taking multiple places, not just AMA site
• it is generally put at 1W, as there is a 1W limit "for RC control" thing in the FCC Ham rules
• anything hobby flown at a FRIA doesn't need a RID (this is all a FRIA gets you, is no RID needed)
• if the FPV gear is FCC certified, then you don't need a HAM license, but I don't think any of the gear currently used is... except maybe the DJI stuff.

 

[Mr NCT]

It's more exciting and lighter with Hydrogen on board!

If you run your battery over it's C rating will it generate hydrogen?

 

[Mr Man]

If you run your battery over it's C rating will it generate hydrogen?

Who knows? Maybe test by letting it out.

 

[Mr Man]

NOT!!!

 

[LitterBug]

If you run your battery over it's C rating will it generate hydrogen?

Plenty of heat and some form of Gas to inflate the well sealed cells for sure! Let's pop one and find out!

 

[Mr Man]

Plenty of heat and some form of Gas to inflate the well sealed cells for sure! Let's pop one and find out!

Please don’t!