HAM's of Flitetest...Say Hello!!!

SubZero-AK

Frozen Idiot
1st, let me say that I am a complete newbie to RC and I don't even have something to fly yet (soon to be remedied). I have been spending my time recently researching everything I need to put together a good FPV Tricopter.

So, during my research I have found that this hobby is also a good platform to get people interested in HAM radio as well. HAM radio is pretty much the original form of social media. With the advent of all these other forms of social media, it is in danger of fading away into obscurity.

I myself have been licensed for a few years (1993 to present). I never bothered upgrading beyond my Technicians Class license as I don't have much interest in operating on any HF frequencies. I do however enjoy VHF and UHF, local communications.

If you are not presently a licensed HAM, I strongly urge you to get your license. If you have the technical ability to put together and fly an RC aircraft, you can easily pass the test and get your license. Not only will you have legal access to the frequencies you want to use, but you can learn more about the RADIO aspect of Radio Controlled.

Many people think you need HUGE antennas and EXPENSIVE radios to get into the hobby. This is completely false. At present, I can purchase a dual band handheld radio for about $60...just google "Baofeng" which is a cheap Chinese manufactured radio that works extraordinarily well.

With that cheap radio, you can talk worldwide...yep you heard me....WORLDWIDE. There are networks of radios and repeaters that are connected via the internet that allow you to use UHF and VHF to communicate almost anywere you want.

I use IRLP (Internet Radio Linking Project) and am an administrator on one of the reflectors. Chances are that somewhere near you is an IRLP node or a repeater that is connected to IRLP. Use that cheap radio, get on that node or repeater frequency and dial in 9070...that is the Alaska Reflector where I hang out (I'm not on that much because of work and family, but there are many others that are).

If you want to know more about IRLP, come visit my website:
www.alaskareflector.org

Specifically, there is a tutorial that talks about IRLP at:
http://www.alaskareflector.org/IRLPTutorial.html

If we get enough RC Hams interested in communicating over IRLP, I can dedicate a channel for Flite Test....or maybe someone would be interested in getting a Flite Test Net going.

You can reach the Alaska Reflector 9070 from more places than just IRLP...We also have it connected on Allstar (Node 27597) and on EchoLink (KL7M)

Now, for the original purpose of this post...if you are a licensed HAM, post a reply and lets get a list of callsigns going.

For now....73's

Talk to you later

Mark
WL7NI
 

Tritium

Amateur Extra Class K5TWM
KF5TOR Amateur Extra, QTH near Spur, TX.
RC FPV led me to Ham radio. Of particular interest to me is Software Defined Radio.
Where I am located it is HF or nothing unless you bridge across the internet!

Thurmond
 

cgetman02

Member
N9GUJ here in 4 land. Been radio inactive for several years. Going to search for my DSW-40 QRP rig and see about powering it with a LIPO. Awful hot to rummage around in the attic this time of year. Want to get my ears back for CW.

So many hobbies so little time, and money!

Curt aka Crashmaster
 

SubZero-AK

Frozen Idiot
@N4JKL...Nice CW reply in plain text, I love it!

@KF5WLH...Thanks for the link. The more people we encourage to become hams, the better both hobbies become.

@KF5TOR...SDR seem interesting. There are many possible uses, including some great potential for RC. I take it you have seen this project:

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/mossmann/hackrf-an-open-source-sdr-platform/

That looks interesting and they have FAR exceeded their goal in fundraising.

@N9GUJ...I agree with the issue with time. I have a more than full time job and a busy 6-year-old which means I have little time for most of my hobbies.

For the rest of Flite Test...I know there are more HAM's on here. POST YOUR CALL SIGN and say hello!

Mark
 

Johan

Senior Member
My dad was a ham radio amateur (PA3BDM), so I've seen a lot about it in my youth.
I even attempted some morse and theory, but it never came through.

After he died, my mom donated his station (Kenwood IIRC) to a neighborhood kid, because he collected 'radios' ...
Go figure, it made her happy, so I was happy too. :)
 

vk2dxn

Senior Member
Hi
Awsome thread it's a great way for every one to meet.
My name is Paul (VK2DXN) Advanced licence.
I have been evolved in radio since the age of 10 when my dad got me my first CB radio.
Many years down the track I decided to take the plunge and go for my ticket,
I have been licenced since 2011 (age 30).
I also have mucked around with flying model aircraft mainly ultramicro's until the bug really bit me hard watching the videos that the boys at flitetest put together, This opened up The door of fpv.
What a better way of using my licence to combine two hobbies :).

Any of you blokes thought about using your FPV AV gear to set new long distance ham records?
 

KLJ4CCH

Member
KJ4CCH, I actually never knew about FPV until I wanted to fly an airplane with a camera on it. I kinda already had my radio certificate. But hey, its very useful! Got it when I was 13, and I had it for about 5 years now.
 

SubZero-AK

Frozen Idiot
Lets try and keep this close to the top, because I am sure there are more Ham's on here...They encourage them to speak up!
 

FlyingMonkey

Bought Another Trailer
Staff member
Admin
You mean, like making it a sticky?


I'll trade you guys. I'll make sure this stays at the top of the section, if you guys will put together a help guide to us FPV people get our HAM license.
 

vk2dxn

Senior Member
Sounds like a deal to me FM
When I get some time on Sunday I will put something together for VK land
 

Tritium

Amateur Extra Class K5TWM
For US citizens:

Get this book: http://www.amazon.com/Technician-Class-2010-2014-Gordon-West/dp/0945053622

or this book with CD of actual test questions and a Practice session to take on your PC:

http://www.amazon.com/Ham-Radio-Lic...keywords=arrl+technician+class+license+manual

If you don't want to get the book then find all the questions here:

http://www.arrl.org/tech-question-pool

Look here for a test session: http://www.arrl.org/exam_sessions/search

Study for as long as necessary. Show up at test session with $15 and a Photo ID (more details online). Pass test. Enjoy your new status as a Amateur Radio Technician.

There are also numerous resources online, Just Google Amateur Radio Technician License preparation!

Thurmond
 
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oldmancrash

Junior Member
N7NHS here. Dont remember when I got my first license. A long time ago. I use to work a lot of satellite and 80 and 160. Havent been on the air in many years
 

vk2dxn

Senior Member
For Australian's looking to get their licence
Go to the WIA (wireless institute of Australia)
http://www.wia.org.au/
I would recommend getting your books and info from this site.

Get the latest radio theory handbook
http://www.wia.org.au/members/bookshop/item0517-2/index.php

Have a read of this page
http://www.wia.org.au/licenses/assessor/about/

For fpv you will need a minimum of a standard amateur operators certificate of proficiency. The standard is not to hard IMO

Download the LCD and memorize it
http://www.wia.org.au/licenses/assessor/documentation/

Things you will need to know for standard licence
http://www.wia.org.au/licenses/standard/about/

You can also do radio electronics school online
http://www.res.net.au/

The online school is quite good, some of my mates did it that way and really helped them out
 
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v2rocketeer

Junior Member
FB OM de VK2ICJ QTH Sydney Australia

I have been a Ham since 1993. I have only been into RC for about a year now. Still learning

73

Chris
 

KE4GJG

Junior Member
TX / RX

FB OM de VK2ICJ QTH Sydney Australia

I have been a Ham since 1993. I have only been into RC for about a year now. Still learning

73

Chris

So what kind of transmitters And Rx equipment can we use on a FPV?
How many watts?
Which Frequency is the best for FPV?

I have been a ham since 1993 also. I just got into the RC world. But like to get some Miles out of my FPV.
I also Have a VHF repeater. Hmmm I bet I could mount a UHF ant on the tower to get a good signal to the FPV???

73eds
Richard,
KE4GJG
 

vk2dxn

Senior Member
So what kind of transmitters And Rx equipment can we use on a FPV?
How many watts?
Which Frequency is the best for FPV?

I have been a ham since 1993 also. I just got into the RC world. But like to get some Miles out of my FPV.
I also Have a VHF repeater. Hmmm I bet I could mount a UHF ant on the tower to get a good signal to the FPV???

73eds
Richard,
KE4GJG

Hey Richard

Your laws are different to ours in regards to class vs output.
In Australia on a standard licence we can output up to 100wpep and 30wmean on most bands and advanced licence can output 400wpep and 120wmean on most bands with an option "with application and concent" to run 1000wpep on most bands.
As for what is the best operating frequency all depends on the area you are in vs how much traffic is on what band.

Cheers

Paul
VK2DXN
 
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KC2ZPK

Junior Member
KC2ZPK - John here, QTH Carmel, NY.

Always had an interest in ham radio and RC, just never knew they crossed paths. Got my ham license at the end of 2010, and just getting back into RC. I am waiting on parts to build a v-tail quadcopter. At some point will get into FPV, then long range.

In the USA, the Technician test is fairly easy. if you have the skills and knowledge to fly long range FPV, then the tech test should be easy. A few hours a week, for a couple of weeks and the test is simple.

I am on - off active from HF to UHF, been known to dabble in a contest or two as well :) Ham radio can be as addicting as RC so watch out!

73
John
 

MrClean

Well-known member
KBPN5902
Yea, it's my old CB license, you had to have those to fly RC once upon a time. I can't remember but can you up the signal on your FPV if you have a Tech Ham license?

edit - Oops, nothing like not reading a couple posts up. I was flying all weekend.
 
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