18-12-2014, 11:43 AM
These things are rather interesting machines!!
I'm really new to quad copters and have just been tinkering around with HK's ARF kit version of the SK450. It's the first reasonable sized one I've ever flown. The only other experience I've had flying quads is with tiny indoor models with pokey little radio sets that they are shipped with.
This is an entirely different beast
It comes with everything almost ready to go just bind a receiver, set up your radio and it flies pretty much straight out of the box. I was impressed!!
But a few modifications are always fun and it's interesting to see if few improvements can be made, but first a bit about my radio set up.
I reckon a handy thing to have on any model is telemetry, mainly so I can have an idea of the condition of my flight pack.
Apparently there's no gliding a or autorotation possible with a quad copter. Fortunately I have a Taranis radio which works really well for this!! It does take a reasonable bit of setting up as far as programming the radio is concerned, but it has facility in spades to make flying a lot easier and can be set up nicely to let you know what’s going on.
This is how I've set it up. When the radio first turns on It checks that all the switches are forward and the throttle is at minimum, this is the default condition and I didn't change it because I quite like this feature.
Then it says the name of the model "SK450 Quad copter 01"
After that it announces the lipo pack voltage "x.xx volts" so you know if your starting with a fresh pack. Then it announces the status of the auto stabilisation. "Stabilisation off" then after every time the stabilisation status is changed
When the pack voltage falls below a set voltage it gives a warning "battery low" and starts to read out the pack voltage at 10 second intervals. If it falls below a further, lower, set voltage It gives the warning "battery critical" and reads out the pack voltage every 5 seconds. This can also be switched off with one of the transmitter switches so I can have it not distract me while I'm landing or trying to concentrate on bringing it home. But at start up it's default position is on
the taranis also announces the armed or safe status when the radio is used to arm or make safe the KK2 board that controls the quad copter.
I've also set the timer up so that it times out after 5min20 seconds and the timer is only active whilst the throttle is not at idle.
If anyone has a Taranis and an SK450 I'm more than happy to pass on a copy of the program so you can use it or modify it suite your set up. It took me about 1/2 a day to sort out including making the custom voice files. I’m sure it could still be improved as well.
Here's a pic of the SK450 quad copter.
It's sporting a set of 8X5 "T" type carbon props with the hubs drilled out in this photo.
I'm really new to quad copters and have just been tinkering around with HK's ARF kit version of the SK450. It's the first reasonable sized one I've ever flown. The only other experience I've had flying quads is with tiny indoor models with pokey little radio sets that they are shipped with.
This is an entirely different beast
It comes with everything almost ready to go just bind a receiver, set up your radio and it flies pretty much straight out of the box. I was impressed!!
But a few modifications are always fun and it's interesting to see if few improvements can be made, but first a bit about my radio set up.
I reckon a handy thing to have on any model is telemetry, mainly so I can have an idea of the condition of my flight pack.
Apparently there's no gliding a or autorotation possible with a quad copter. Fortunately I have a Taranis radio which works really well for this!! It does take a reasonable bit of setting up as far as programming the radio is concerned, but it has facility in spades to make flying a lot easier and can be set up nicely to let you know what’s going on.
This is how I've set it up. When the radio first turns on It checks that all the switches are forward and the throttle is at minimum, this is the default condition and I didn't change it because I quite like this feature.
Then it says the name of the model "SK450 Quad copter 01"
After that it announces the lipo pack voltage "x.xx volts" so you know if your starting with a fresh pack. Then it announces the status of the auto stabilisation. "Stabilisation off" then after every time the stabilisation status is changed
When the pack voltage falls below a set voltage it gives a warning "battery low" and starts to read out the pack voltage at 10 second intervals. If it falls below a further, lower, set voltage It gives the warning "battery critical" and reads out the pack voltage every 5 seconds. This can also be switched off with one of the transmitter switches so I can have it not distract me while I'm landing or trying to concentrate on bringing it home. But at start up it's default position is on
the taranis also announces the armed or safe status when the radio is used to arm or make safe the KK2 board that controls the quad copter.
I've also set the timer up so that it times out after 5min20 seconds and the timer is only active whilst the throttle is not at idle.
If anyone has a Taranis and an SK450 I'm more than happy to pass on a copy of the program so you can use it or modify it suite your set up. It took me about 1/2 a day to sort out including making the custom voice files. I’m sure it could still be improved as well.
Here's a pic of the SK450 quad copter.
It's sporting a set of 8X5 "T" type carbon props with the hubs drilled out in this photo.
“The knack of flying is learning how to throw your machine at the ground and miss.”
"When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your thoughts turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return." ~Leonardo Da Vinci
