It was a Great day for flying! Charles W5BAA has been working with the new-style 1.2 GHz ATV gear, and wanted to run some tests. Tom K5SAF has been studying options on the receive end. Tony N5RPQ is always ready for some flying, and the rest of us were mostly just interested spectators/helpers. However, we also flew some other non-ATV planes, and one micro helicopter, out at the Secret BLT Flying Field in Katy, Texas.
Charles makes some adjustments to the ATV transmitter system while Tom and Tony steady the plane.
Here's a backside view of the camera/transmitter box on the plane. The antenna was a simple wire. We are not planning to fly a glider with BLT-22, but the RC plane is the perfect way to test flight gear for balloon launches. Early U.S. amateur-radio satellites were tested in planes.
Another view of the camera/transmitter shows camera postioning. A short SMA-mount stubby duck has replaced the wire antenna in this photo.
Charles is just about ready for flight. Just a few more last-minute items to check.
Tony has the W5BAA portable 1.2 GHz ATV receive system on and receiving. It consists of a small receiver module that matches the flight transmiteer (both from eBay), a battery, and a lightweight flat-panel video monitor.
Charlie K5ENG checks out a wideband "circuit-board" Yagi while Tony and Tom verify video quality prior to flight.
Here's a closeup of the 1.2 GHz ATV receive system. Nothing fancy, just the basics, and it works. We tried out a number of different 1.2 GHz and other wideband antennas during the flights.
Several flights were made during the course of the tests. During down time for minor repairs or adjustments, Tony and Andy W5ACM had their planes up. While Tony's flying wing did spectacular aerobatics, Andy's two channel slow-flyer was also interesting. Tony and Andy took turns flying it. Tony would gain altitude and Andy would lose it - the perfect complimentary pilots!
And yet another safe landing during the BLT-22 Video Field Test! We may try more video tests prior to the September 9th launch of BLT-22. One of our primary goals is to optimize video quality.
Our Planning Meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 17, 2006, at the Secret BLT Lab (310 Lombardy) in Sugar Land - 8 PM till 10 PM.
Launch is scheduled for 10 AM on September 9, 2006 from the Wharton Regional Airport. Be There!!!