Ideas on video downlnk display screen?

[Mel Suarez]

My colleague recently built a ground station that displays pin-hole camer video.

However, it's quite hard to see in the sunlight.

Wondering if people have found a screen that works well for a ground station.

Any thoughts?

Of course, the lighter and less amperage the better. Obviously it's gotta be DC powered.

Thanks in advance.

For an example of our results to date check out the recent pics at the 495th Squadron 2007 fun fly http://www.495thsquadron.org/Gallery.htm.

Mel

[Tonystott]

This is what I use. The other side is a 7 inch LCD screen which seems fine in daylight, and I haven't felt the need to make a hood for it. As you can see, it is self contained with remote, downlink receiver and LiPo power, all velcroed together. I have a patch antenna if necessary

[Deron Douglas]

This is what I use. The other side is a 7 inch LCD screen which seems fine in daylight, and I haven't felt the need to make a hood for it. As you can see, it is self contained with remote, downlink receiver and LiPo power, all velcroed together. I have a patch antenna if necessary

Looks very interesting? Could you tell me more about the LCD screen and how you got it to work. From what I can tell it looks like you just have the receiver plugged into it?

Thanks

[Tonystott]

Yep, I bought the screen for about $60 on eBay, and simply plugged video out from the receiver to video in on the screen, and then selected AV as the input. The Rx and the screen both work from 12v, so a 3S LiPo looks after that.

[Deron Douglas]

Yep, I bought the screen for about $60 on eBay, and simply plugged video out from the receiver to video in on the screen, and then selected AV as the input. The Rx and the screen both work from 12v, so a 3S LiPo looks after that.

Look like a good idea! I was trying to figure out a way of doing this myself. Thanks. I've visit ebay now... looks like this is an auto "head rest" screen?

[trackhead]

Pyle 7" 16:9 monitor works well.

Runs off 12v and has a very easy to set up wiring harness for video/power.

Runs about 90 bucks or so.

[bullaculla]

Mine is basically the same thing as Tonys, but its all mounted in a case.
http://photos.imageevent.com/bullaculla1/heli/large/01.jpg
Just an LCD off ebay too with the downlink RX running off a spare rex450 lipo.

[Deron Douglas]

Mine is basically the same thing as Tonys, but its all mounted in a case.
http://photos.imageevent.com/bullaculla1/heli/large/01.jpg
Just an LCD off ebay too with the downlink RX running off a spare rex450 lipo.

That looks pretty cool. What kind of downlink camera are you using? What kind of range for the downlink do you get?

Thanks.

[Deron Douglas]

That looks pretty cool. What kind of downlink camera are you using? What kind of range for the downlink do you get?

Thanks.

[bullaculla]

Since I fly spektrum, I am limited to 900mhz. I'm using a 500mw TX on the camera mount and I've taken it up high enough to lose sight of the tail, but reception was very good. I'm using the KX151 camera mounted in the veiwfinder. All purchased from rangevideo.com

[eyeinsky]

Here's what I did. I took 2.4 GHz room to room system for TV that I purchased on EBay for $20 and modified it on the transmitter only. I basically stripped it down to the PC board remove audio component for weight reduction down to 75 grams, connect to the video out put on my digital camera. It is powered by two 11.1V 1200ma li-pol battery one on the ship and another on ground station, then topped it off with neat little monitor about 2.5"LCD screen another EBay purchase $30, all nicely fitted on to a JR XP6102 radio TX camera control.

[rerazor]

I just use a portable DVD player.

[Heli_Nugget]

Bullaculla, does this set-up allow you to fly the heli as if you were "in the cockpit" by looking through the camera lens if the heli is too far or too high for you to see it, or even around corners of a building (not that you'd try to fly it out of sight of course)?

[Tonystott]

Pinched this idea from one of the other forums.. I attached the patch antenna to the lid, sprayed inside matt black to aid visibility, and fitted the 7" LCD screen downlink Rx and TV remote, plus 3S LiPo for power (not in the pic) all inside. It fits on a cheap $25 tripod with a quick release. Looks professional and delivers a great picture in that little black "tunnel"

See post #3 http://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=60076 for images

[bullaculla]

Bullaculla, does this set-up allow you to fly the heli as if you were "in the cockpit" by looking through the camera lens if the heli is too far or too high for you to see it, or even around corners of a building (not that you'd try to fly it out of sight of course)?

I could if I had to, but the camera operator is usually behind me standing in the shade or something. I'm thinking about putting another little spycam on the heli just for FPV in an emergency situation.