Thursday, June 18, 2015

Zenmuse and CAM Port Pinouts



ZENMUSE Pinout H3-3D


Pin Function
1 CANL
2CANH
3GND
4GND
5+ Power
6+ Power
7Video GND
8Video In
CAM Port


Pin Function
1 Video Out
2Video GND
3+ Power
4GND
5
6

Monday, June 15, 2015

Template Airport Notification of UAS Flight

This is a template that I have for noticing airports of UAS activity. It is advisable to send something like this 24 hours in advance of a planned flight.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Scott:

I am notifying you that I will be operating a UAS/U
AV in close proximity to _____ airport next week. I am notifying you per the FAA guidelines found here: https://www.faa.gov/uas/model_aircraft/

The flight will be on _____, June __ between __ and __ local. We will be above _____ which is approximately ___ miles East of the airport. The UAV will remain below 400’ AGL as measured from the launch point. If weather or other circumstances require us to reschedule, I’ll notify you either by email or by calling _____.

I’ve listed my cellphone number below if you need to contact me.

Thanks,

(___) ___-____


----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Additionally, use http://airnav.com to get contact information for airports. Or visit the management office and make a new friend.

Thursday, June 11, 2015

Long Exposure Time Lapse with a GoPro


Save the text below into a text file called "autoexec.ash", and place them onto the SD Card. Upon power up, the GoPro will start taking Long Exposure pictures in Time Lapse mode. Just push and hold the power button between exposures to stop the script and power it off.

-----------------------------------------
t app appmode photo
sleep 1
t ia2 -ae still_exp 100 55 55
sleep 1
t app button shutter PR
sleep 6
d:\autoexec.ash
REBOOT yes
------------------------------------------
The script above is a 6 Second Exposure at ISO100.

Explanation:
t app appmode photo
sleep 1
t ia2 -ae still_exp P X Y
sleep 1
t app button shutter PR
sleep A
d:\autoexec.ash
REBOOT yes



Key:
P: ISO
X: Exposure time
Y: Iris (exposure time)
A: timelapse interval

Ref:
http://chernowii.com/gopro-longexp

Value (number to write in hack file)Exposure Time (seconds)
18
237
556
855
1204
1803
2552
4001


I have made many scripts, so you can pick a prebuilt one, and copy that one script to the SD card. Here is the download link:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/mwhgtqnmwqe9s99/GoPro%20Long%20Exposure%20Scripts.zip?dl=0

Replace the GoPro Ribbon Cable with a Socket Connector

I felt I was having to be extremely cautious with the ribbon cable on my H3-3D Gimble, every time I needed to get to the memory card on the GoPro. After doing some research, I found a connector modification to go through the connector on the back of the GoPro to achieve the save desired function (Power and Video Out).

This is where I found the socket connector: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NLA33KA?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00
Remove the two screws, and the sticker across the back.  The back plate should come off.
While looking from the back, gently flip the plastic tab up, to remove the ribbon from the socket.
Insert the ribbon from the connector with the blue support tab on the top, make sure the ribbon is seated all the way. Flip the tab down to secure.
Angle the connector into place, and it should snap into the slot. Put the black sticker back on across the back, and re-attach the plate.

Now you don't have to worry about tearing off the ribbon cable before your next flight.

DJI Phantom Controller Stickers


Original Controller
The original controller that came with the Phantom is perfectly functional, but I didn't like keeping the paper wrapper on while flying. I was worried about it getting messed up, or in the way. I thought there must be better way to have the same information.
I took off the paper, but I didn't like not having the useful information available to me, especially if I wanted to let someone else fly my Quadcopter.

I found a lot of stickers online, but the ones from UAVStickers.com seems to be the best quality, and design.
I found these on Amazon.com
Controller with the factory paper removed.

Sticker set from UAVStickers.com
Applying stickers
I recommend using a pin/needle of some kind to minimize the oils from your fingers getting on the adhesive, so they will last a very long time. I cleaned the plastic with alcohol wipes first, and let it dry before applying stickers.

Bellow is the controller with the stickers attached, and it looks great.
Controller with stickers
Back of DJI Phantom v2.0 Controller