1. Parramatta Radio Control Aircraft Club
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  ELRS and the Semtech LR1121 chipset

Posted by: greggold
22-01-2025, 02:47 PM
Forum: General
- No Replies

Ian at Mads Tech has discussed the significance of the new release of txs and rxs using the Semtech LR1121 chipset - it is a big deal.

ExpressLRS Lr1121 New Chipset Compatibility - Gemini - Gemini X Explained
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=doZba3Zmzvg

He has not tested the new txs and rxs in terms of signal range or penetration, but rather explains how the new chips provide a greater chance that a given control signal will arrive at the rx given challenging conditions with lots of radio noise and interference. The new chips use redundant packets and dual bands with the gemini and gemini X modes, yet somehow manage to achieve a low latency.

Radiomaster is leading the charge in the adoption of the Semtech LR1121 chipset, and the price of their new GX12 tx is AUD 320. You can also experience Gemini and Gemini X by purchasing a RM Nomad module for AUD 90 - I purchased a Nomad a few months ago and have had a great experience with it, you can use a switch mode if your drone or plane has a standard (non-diversity) antenna, gemini mode if you have a true diversity elrs rx (I have 2 drones with this), and full gemini X mode for the ultimate best signal safety which I have not yet tried.

Ian concludes that this is no minor upgrade, it is the future of RC, and makes the point that when purchasing RC txs or rxs, its wise to choose gear with the Semtech LR1121 chipset, especially as it does not cost much more, indeed many legacy txs without the LR1121 cost much more. Bardwell has stated a preference for Radiomaster over other manufacturers such as Jumper that are introducing products with LR1121, based on his careful inspection of the components, the boards, the solder joints, the quality and design of the cabling and switches.

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  Beluga: A new fpv plane from AtomRC

Posted by: greggold
22-01-2025, 12:46 PM
Forum: General
- Replies (6)

AtomRC is arguably the best manufacturer of FPV planes. ATOMRC fpv planes can be ordered as a kit, or as PNF and RTH versions (for explanation see https://atomrc.com/pages/version-description)

Andrew Newton and Painless360 are leading RC gurus that have in common they appear to prefer FPV planes to FPV drones. I am predicting we will see more fpv planes at PRCAC.

1. Andrew Newton review.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=he315IJUqm0

2. review by Painless360

First Look: AtomRC Beluga FPV 'Scale' Stype FPV Twin
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYw7xS5bFLo

Painless likes and has reviewed all the ATOMRC  fpv planes, including the Swordfish, Dolphin, Flying fish etc. The Swordfish is considered one of the best ever fpv planes.

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  O4 problem for goggles 2 and probably Integra

Posted by: greggold
20-01-2025, 01:08 PM
Forum: General
- Replies (1)

I was too good to be true, the recent news that the new DJI O4 video system would work with the DJI goggles 2 and DJI goggles Integra. Sadly, it seems the only goggles that work at present are the DJI goggles 3 and the DJI Goggles N3.

Mads Tech have described a serious video bug in goggles 2 (and "probably" Integra) firmware.
See the video at 1m 30 s
On arming you only get video at 10 or 20 mbps, not 50
Mads says its a firmware issue. Presumably it will be fixed with the next firmware upgrade. How long it will take is unknown.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGvmsfPzjM8

Speaking of firmware upgrades for the Goggles Integra:
To use the DJI O4 I needed to update my Integra goggles firmware using the latest DJI Assistant 2 Consumer Drones Series, according to Bardwell.

The current version of DJI Assistant2 in Jan 2025 is Mac V2.1.35 for mac users, for which the release notes are dated Jan 14 2025

https://www.dji.com/au/downloads/softwar...nes-series

My current version of Assistant2 was Mac 2.1.20

When I connected my Integra to my mac with the current version of Assistant 2.1.20,
which simply required turning on the goggles, then connecting with a usb-c data cable, I saw:

current Integra firmware  2023-12-21  V01.05.0000
there were 2 newer firmwares:
2024-5-28  V01.06.0000
2025-01-07 V01.07.0000  (this one's release notes says it adds O4 capability)

I upgraded to the latest DJI Assistant 2 on my mac, and then did the upgrade to V01.07.000 on the Integra - it seemed I could have done it from my current DJI Assistant2 version, but I took Bardwell's advice to use the latest Assistant2 version. I skipped Integra firmware V01.06.0000 as this has an avata update.

But it looks like the Integra will not be usable until a new firmware update to fix the bug is released.

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  Revolutionary Small Drone

Posted by: greggold
17-01-2025, 10:02 AM
Forum: General
- No Replies

Pavo Femto Introduction
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfnWIFIxyN0

Pavo Femto Aerobatics
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4HDS9oveHa0

In 2025 the 2S small drone has just evolved into a high performance all rounder, including freestyle aerobatics, that is remarkably light and among other properties has a high power to weight ratio. Previously, aerobatic tiny drones existed but they were analog with limited video quality.
A normal lightweight 2S drone such as the Pavo Pico has a thrust to weight ratio around 4, but in the new Pavo Femto its 6.75. Of course this is due to the arrival of the DJI O4 lite video system aka as the O4 (as opposed to the 30 gm O4 pro). The second video shows the aerobatic flight performance of the Femto. The flying in tight spaces in bushes as shown in the first video is how I like to fly in a local reserve.

There are new O4 drones becoming available almost every day now, but in view of my considerable  experience with the Betaflight Pavo series I could not resist the femto which I purchased for AUD 379. I know, its possible I will have a long wait for it to arrive.

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  DJI O4 now available

Posted by: greggold
10-01-2025, 08:20 AM
Forum: General
- Replies (6)

2 manufacturers (NewbeeDrone and Flywoo) are now selling from their websites drones with the O4 air unit, both the DJI O4 Pro and DJI O4 air units (video systems) are available. The DJI O4 is often referred to as the DJI O4 Lite as it weighs 10gm. 

I just purchased from the Flywoo website:
Flytimes 85 HD O4 PRO 2S ELRS FPV Drone  $409.99 USD 

This is the sort of lightweight 2S drone suitable for bush tracks in parks and reserves where I now regularly fly. I already have a Flylens 85 with an O3 and it will be an interesting comparison.
I will be able to finally document that the goggles integra work with the O4. I found it difficult to choose between the O4 Pro and the O4 lite in making the purchase, I am sure the lighter weight of the Lite O4 would provide better aerobatics in a 2S drone. However reviewers note the Flytimes is very aerobatic with the O3 and I nearly bought one some time ago with the O3.

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  Interested in trying FPV (First person view)?

Posted by: greggold
01-01-2025, 05:05 PM
Forum: General
- Replies (6)

FPV can be flown with a drone, sometimes called a quad, and with RC aircraft. 
In another post
(https://forum.rcflyingclub.com/showthread.php?tid=1915)
I described my experience trying FPV 9 months ago:
"When I completed a line of sight test flight on my Darkstar20, it was time for the first flight with the goggles. I was astonished how I became immersed in the flying with sensations of either sitting on the edge of a cliff or falling over a cliff, and how strongly I became orientated with the drone as though sitting in the cockpit. I struggled through the first flight to avoid falling over when the drone banked, and in subsequent flights I always sit down to avoid falling. I expected FPV to be a kind of variation on line of sight flying, and the sensation of flying turned out to be something very different." I now only fly fpv and not line of sight,  so far only with drones but there are many new rtf fpv planes becoming available that look interesting.

If you decide to try fpv, you must first buy fpv goggles and this is a major purchase that locks you into one of 3 types of goggles each with its unique video system (camera, video transmitter etc) on the drone or plane.

The three types are DJI digital goggles, Walksnail/Caddx digital goggles and Analog goggles. 

I have been flying fpv drones for 9 months with most of my experience with DJI goggles, using the DJI O3 video system in my drones. However I have experimented with Walksnail goggles and with analog goggles in small drones, and combined with extensive reading I offer the opinion that DJI goggles with the DJI O3 air unit are the best choice. Online gurus generally accept the DJI O3 air unit sets the standard for video quality.

 Note that the O3 air unit only works with DJI goggles. Going analog would be cheaper, but the fact is most analog flyers who try DJI switch to DJI because the video is better, and often much better. For example I found my small analog drone or walksnail drone when flown along bush tracks had poor video quality (compared to O3 air unit drones) and fine branches would not be seen.        `
   
If you decide to go DJI, you will need to purchase one of these 4 goggles: 
     
1. DJI Goggles 3
Item Code: GOGGLES3

• Built-In External View Cameras
• DJI O4 HD Video Transmission
• Adjustable Diopters

AUD $869.00 at the DJI (also called D1) store.
These goggles work with the O3 air unit (the common video system on drones in Australia that fly with DJI goggles), and the new O4 air units (DJI O4 Pro and DJI O4 Lite coming next february). It seems likely normal flyers (compared to drone racing pilots) will not notice much difference in video quality with the O4 video system, compared to the O3.

2. DJI Goggles N3

These new goggles are advertised at FPVfaster and D1 store for AUD $359.00. They are expected to become available in Feb 2025, see

https://www.fpvfaster.com.au/products/dj...9465940050

https://d1store.com.au/products/dji-gogg...flEALw_wcB

The N3 goggles are expected to work with the O3 air unit, and it seems they also will work with the new O4 air units (DJI O4 Pro and DJI O4 Lite). For details see:

https://oscarliang.com/dji-o4-pro-lite-air-units/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxtSiNgibCE.

At the time of writing I do not have proof the N3 goggles work with the O3 air unit, or DJI O4 Pro, or DJI O4 Lite, but the above videos say so and seem reliable to me.

3. DJI Goggles integra
Domayne sells these for AUD 609

https://www.domayne.com.au/dji-goggles-i...6o22KWHke8

These goggles are used by several club members, including myself and have a great track record. They work with the O3 air unit, and I expect with the DJI O4 Pro, and DJI O4 Lite.

4. DJI Goggles 2 also works with the O3 air unit. 
Aliexpress sell these for AUD 862. This is a bad deal, instead buy the goggles 3 (unless someone offers the goggles 2 in good condition for a cheap secondhand price).

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  indoor flying

Posted by: greggold
18-12-2024, 09:43 AM
Forum: General
- Replies (1)

So far in NSW Australia there is little reason to prefer indoors to outdoors when it comes to RC flying. I have tried tiny 1S indoor fpv drones and frankly outdoors is much better, our ceilings are way too low. But if you have 10 minutes to spare I have to say I found these videos of indoor planes at a world championship competition worth a look.

F3P World Championships 2023 - Austria
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2qPFtG3a2o

Germany
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FiTrd7LhvU

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  A replacement for your drone flight simulator

Posted by: greggold
18-11-2024, 01:44 PM
Forum: General
- No Replies

I own the Liftoff simulator but sadly do not use it as often as I should.

The NewBeeDrone Hummingbird v3.1 drone is getting alot of praise as a tiny whoop racing drone, that is seen if you search "hummingbird drone" on youtube. I purchased one and I am using it as a simulator replacement;  you fly it inside, in a backyard, or a parking lot, etc and a proper flying field is not needed.

"The $89.99 Drone That's Changing the Race Game // 16.4 Grams // HummingBird v3.1 RS"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8i-HDRIs8Q&t=315s

It is fully aerobatic and its extreme light weight allows it to be an amazing aerobat as the power loops and other stunts in the video below demonstrate. The flying sequences are so fast that I thought the video recording on the goggles had been sped up, but if you look at the timer shown in the video you can confirm the video runs at normal speed.

The hummingbird does cost more than the Liftoff sim; as well as USD90 for the drone, I had to buy analog goggles  -
I chose Cobra X goggles (https://oscarliang.com/skyzone-cobra-s-x-fpv-goggles/)
and 300mah 1S HV lipos with a connector that suits the hummingbird, and a 1S charger.

I reckon its a good way to practice/develop aerobatic skills and way more fun than a sim.

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  DJI O4 air unit

Posted by: greggold
10-11-2024, 09:52 AM
Forum: General
- Replies (6)

The DJI O3 air unit is the leader in high definition video for fpv quads, providing the best images and the best penetration and range of the video signal. Analog video has some strong points but continues to decline in popularity, and alternative to DJI HD systems such as Walksnail/Caddx and HDzero are generally considered not quite as good. There has been much speculation about the forthcoming  DJI O4 air unit, and finally we have some real information. 

The O4 will work with DJI goggles 2 and with integra, as well as the goggles 3.

The O4 will have 2 versions, one of which is very light at 10gm, and this means tiny 1S drones such as tiny whoops will for the first time get top video.
Mads has collected all the current information on the O4 which could be released as early as the end of the month. He thinks the O3 air unit may be discontinued soon.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zhCeMKLhIg&t=13s

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  Clearance sale of airplane parts and material

Posted by: greggold
09-11-2024, 10:57 AM
Forum: For Sale
- No Replies

SOLD

everything is sold

I have been a RC airplane flyer for many decades, but in April of this year I started flying fpv drones and have now decided to sell all my airplane gear.

I am looking for a buyer who is prepared to take ALL of the following, at a deal price of AUD 50:



Contact:  PM or m. 0439644305

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  1. Parramatta Radio Control Aircraft Club