Traveling with batteries.

[lynxstrife]

Hey all kinda curious about international travel with lipo batteries. I am going to germany and would like to take my tri and fpv gear to have some fun but never traveled with batteries and all that.

My question is in a nut shell, how would I travel with my equipment? Is there special fee's it handling?

 

[eagle4]

what airline are you flying with? they may have specific info on their website

 

[c172ae]

Not directly related to your question, but you said FPV...

In europe, you can't fly on 900mhz or 1.2/1.3ghz. Also, 2.4ghz is limited to 10mw and 5.8ghz is limited to 25mw. Just hope you are aware of this...

 

[lynxstrife]

I am learning as I go hoesntly. I use a dx6i and fatshark v2 setup.

 

[c172ae]

If you're referring to the Predator v2's, I think you may find it to be a bit troublesome as I believe it has a 250mw transmitter...

If you get caught using such a setup, your gear will probably be confiscated and you will get quite a large fine. I'm not saying that you will get caught, but there is a risk. I would personally not fly illegally. it is a very stupid thing to do.

 

[lynxstrife]

Awww that sucks oh well is there a way to change it.

 

[c172ae]

you could go out and buy a 25mw transmitter (http://www.readymaderc.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=11_30_33&products_id=267). but for 50 bucks + shipping, I don't know if it really is any point in doing so.

I don't know how how long it takes in Germany, but for me, it took 4 months to get an approval to use a 1.3ghz 800mw transmitter. I also had to go through a tests to see if I knew the risks of operating all the equipment and so on. And it took so long time even though I had (and have) a permission to operate radio equipment in full-size aircraft. I have no idea how difficult it would be for you to get it, but it will take some time. So, it be possible to get it approved, but if it takes 4 months + tests... well...

 

[lynxstrife]

Would I need to get some sort of permit or anything for using my fpv gear in Arizona? I have no clue where to look.

 

[Craftydan]

Lynx,

No permit in the US, but you will need an amateur radio operator license.

It's not nearly a "four-month-test-after-test-after-test" process . . . but it might take a few weeks to study, go to a testing event, and a week or two for the bureaucrats to push the paperwork, but once you've got the call sign, you're legal to operate.

Test locations:

http://www.arrl.org/find-an-amateur-radio-license-exam-session

Test prep classes (if you learn well in classes):

http://www.arrl.org/find-an-amateur-radio-license-class

Test questions (No, it's not cheating to take the test first, and learn what the answers are):

http://www.eham.net/exams/

The AARL's Training Manual (because there are manuals like these that teach *why* that answer is right):

http://www.arrl.org/shop/Ham-Radio-License-Manual-Revised-2nd-Edition/?page=1


It'll take some study time to get the Technician's license, but if you're building a radio Rig for FPV, it's not wasted time -- you'll learn a lot of things you'll need to know while you study for the test.

 

[CrashRecovery]

usa is different for FPV rules. if I understand correctly basic setup wont break laws..... check out the airlines info for batteries.

 

[lynxstrife]

I never heard of anyone on youtube or well around the web needing to get a amateur radio operator license for FPV. Guess I will have to do home work on that then.

 

[Craftydan]

http://www.modelaviation.com/FPVforBeginners

 

[lynxstrife]

Guess I will look into that and start studying.