First trip to the clouds, advice welcome!

[airbagit13]

Tomorrow morning I plan on taking my first trip above the clouds.

I will be using my trusty MS Swift2 equipt with Dragon Link, a 300mw 1280ghz TX, and an IBcrazy inverted vee.

On the ground I will have 2 patch antennas with an oracle diversity system.

Any advice?

Do I have to worry about condensation and my electronics being mounted externally?

[SENTRY]

What's your game plan for patch aiming?

What's the projected ceiling tomorrow??

What is the climb angle of the rig?

How far do you plan to be away from the launch when you bust your projected altitude?

[airbagit13]

I think it was Badlands who said the best gameplan is to go about a mile out in front of yourself, turn around then gain altitude while coming home then turn gain altitude, etc, etc till your up there.

I plan on aiming one patch about 20 degree angle to head out the first mile and the second patch will be at a 45-55 degree angle. Both facing forward. I have no idea what the projected ceiling is or even if there are going to be clouds out tomorrow I am just planning on it, if not I will just cruise.

If I use my 2200kv motor I will climb at a 45 degree angle from the start till i bust clouds.

I havent decided if I am going to keep on my 1100 kv motor which has about a 45 degree constant climb or if I am going to put on the 2200kv motor which has unlimited vertical. Probably the 2200kv motor. I will only have about 8 minutes of flight time so will spend 2 minutes getting there, 3-4 minutes up there and 2-3 minutes coming home. I have my Remzibi pointing the way home so I shouldnt have trouble there. I am very used to the area and all of its landmarks. My plan is to be about 1/2 a mile out when I bust clouds.

[SENTRY]

I can't wait!!! I wish you success and a great flight!!

[airbagit13]

I will record it for sure.

[airbagit13]

Trip to the clouds postponed. I got drunk instead of setting up my plane. Damn you Black Label, damn yu to hell.

[aaron_gx]

im hitting up those clouds as soon as I can get my power issues sorted out. I'll wait for a day that the clouds are hanging low enough, or i'll end up with this again, they looked at lot closer than they were:

http://www.vimeo.com/13268918
Ran out of battery power and video range. will be prepared next attempt.

[BELADOG]

that was depressing Lol. Im off to youtube to get my cloud fix Lol. Here in my hood the clouds are always above my safety ceiling. Live in a flight path of Miramar Naval, and Lindbergh field Int Airport. Too much traffic!!! The low clouds are in the morning and its a fog wash... 0 vis. : (

[Trappy]

fly out in a ~45 degree angle, don't turn around or anything. The further out you are, the easier it is to maintain a good video link.

[IBCrazy]

fly out in a ~45 degree angle, don't turn around or anything. The further out you are, the easier it is to maintain a good video link.

I second this! you want to be 1 foot out or perhaps a bit more for every foot up high you are. Aim your patches at a 30 degree angle. This will allow for proper coverage and only lose about 1.5db polarization.

Good luck!

-Alex

[Reverand Blue Chip]

This too - is something that I have been chasing. It's the real reason for my FJ build. Once I get all of the latest issues sorted - I will be after it again. My plan has been to continue at a 45 or so as far out as 3 miles - then turn around on top of them, slow down as much as possibly - and have fun.

My question for the veteran cloud hoppers - last time I took my E* (900mhz) into the clouds - the video got really bad - I am assuming it had something to do with the water vapor of the cloud. Is that only while you are IN the actual cloud? I assume it clears up again on top of them....

Anyone?

[Trappy]

Depends on your margi. The water vapor will obviously attenuate the video signal. It doesn't really matter where in the cloud you are. The thing that matters is how much water is between you and the plane, and how your plane is oriented (polarization). At least that's what I observed in practice. I could imagine the vicinity of the vapor to also play a role, but purely from observation it seems to he a negligable effect.

[IBCrazy]

You have a few things fighting you in a cloud. The main one being a dielectric shift. I have observed that an open end antenna such as a Vee, dipole, patch, ect can change impeadnce very much just by changing humidity. Thus flying in a cloud will probably cut signal strength 3 db or more. Once above it, the signal should penetrate the cloud without much loss. You might consider switching to a closed loop antenna to prevent the in the cloud issue.

-Alex

[airbagit13]

I made it to the cloud line!!!

I just went out to have some fun and mess around not to get to cloud height so I only had a 3dbi Omni antenna and an 8dbi tuned Patch antenna on Oracle Diversity. I went up for the first flight and ended up going up high, I was surprised the range the omni was giving me because my oracle kept switching back between the two even a high elevation. I remembered that I did not push record on the video so I brought my plane down and pushed record. By that time I had already used half my battery but said screw it and tossed her up again.

I had forgotten my headphones at home (i hate flying without sound) and have yet to install my OSD in my Swift but it was fun and still I had lots of luck. I ran out of batteries and had to come back home but tomorrow I will be going out with full batteries and 2 patch antennas on diversity. I will spend about 5 minutes above the clouds then decend.

WATCH THE VIDEO FROM 3:45 on FOR A GREAT SHOW.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-gVwEqjLO4

[Coyote]

Nicely done, i would have gone for it being that close it would have been rude not too :)

[airbagit13]

Thanks, I wanted to but I had absolutely no battery left, that was the second flight on 1 battery. I wanted to go again this morning with a full battery but there is not one cloud in sight. Oh well. So bummed, hopefully tomorrow.

[Trappy]

take it easy ... when the clouds are there your plane is ready. that's what counts. don't push for clouds for the sake of flying in clouds ... things can go horribly wrong :)

[airbagit13]

Yup, like you said I am just glad that I can make it there. Now I know that when the clouds are out I can make them my bitch.

[Vitamin J]

Now THAT is how you get home in a timely fashion! Loved it!

[airbagit13]

Woot! Made it! Busting clouds at 4:00


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBv5jeHlhPQ

Below is a pic of my Swift 2 next to my new cloud buster.

[SENTRY]

How big is that Swift?

[airbagit13]

A mere 32 inches good sir.

[NDw]

Do you guys sit down when flying at altitude? I always kinda freak out when up high if standing up.

[airbagit13]

Nope, I stand up. I never really liked sitting down while flying..

[marcin.gala]

Made on FRsky 2.4Ghz "no powerboost" and Fox800mW 1.2Ghz only rubber duck antennas...and 2200mAh power for engine also 1000mAh for video track.
Made this wing by my own just hot wire some blue foam.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_25LKzxUuKk

Don't know how to put video URL to have window with video on it ...??

[airbagit13]

Niiice. The switching shots every two seconds drove me crazy but I love scratch builds. Any pics of the wing?

[Danub]

Man, I'm jealous every time I try to get to the clouds video gets hairy Awesome vid!

[S_Dave]

Cool video AB13!
Where abouts was your first video made? I used to live in Miami a long, long time ago. They were building Killian HS across the street from us when we moved. That was about 109th St and 97th Ave SW in South Miami (Kendall). Just curious to see if anything on the ground should look familiar.

How do you pick a particular cloud? Just find a nice chubby one that doesn't look too threatening? OH WAIT! That's how to select a date at a C&W bar.... my bad.

[airbagit13]

DAVE!!! You were my neighbor! I live across the street from Killian HS on 97th ave and 110 st. That is so funny. The flight was at a different school/park on kendall drive and like 103rd off to the right. Man o man that is funny. As far as picking a cloud goes I just aim my patch antennas straight in front of me and fly out towards the wind, always towards the wind while Cloud hunting because you would be surprised how far you could get moved up there without realizing it, much better to be upwind. I just go out about a mile turn around come towards myself gaining altitude then turn around etc etc till Im there. If it is big and fluffy I want to be inside of it, i'm not to particular once up there. lol.

Danub what are you using for video? You should be able to get there with the right antenna combo.

I've posted this in the forums before but It should be here, I don't know why I haven't posted it here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nb6hdBD_AuE&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL

[Danub]

I'm using 2.4ghz and Alex's cloverleaf/helical combo. they work great, but to get close to the clouds lately I'm out like 6-7.5km out to the mtn peaks where they are. I'm looking into tuning my airframe for better range, but i'm kind of scared to mess things up and make it worse. That swift looks like a fun ride have you gotten all of the specs worked out? any finished pictures. Is that on 900mhz or 1.2ghz gear?

[airbagit13]

Its the swift 2 which is much smaller then the swift. Here is an updated photo. I have a 1400kv 45g motor on the way which will give her better vertical.

[aaron_gx]

http://www.vimeo.com/23979896
I made it to the clouds for the first time. It was beyond amazing. What a feeling to take off on a gloomy day, break the clouds and see blue sky & sun! Worst part was coming back down to a dark, crappy day.

[Adrenalinrush]

I was shooting for the clouds today..... Thunderheads. Just had to try and one up you guys. My video capture software apparently doesnt like drop-outs. I kept getting 2-10sec drop outs and was still climbing (i think) I got up there then had a bad drop out and video came back and all I saw was..... the ground ?!? Oh crap ! No biggie was 2k ft but scared the crap outta me. Plus I couldnt see anything cause my camera looked like it was at the bottom of a swimming pool. So landed and was like "I'm totally gonna show those guys up". Look at my laptop and it was trying to save the file from the stupid drop out. What a waste

[S_Dave]

I am totally in awe of you guys, flying in clouds.
Here's a dumb question I need to ask: Clouds sometimes contain.... RAIN, right? Do you waterproof your electronics and stuff so it doesn't get wet and short out? Or do you pick clouds that you somehow know (this is the part that mystifies me) do NOT contain rain? Could you enlighten me?

[airbagit13]

Lol @ adrenalinerush.

Yeah clouds do contain moisture, I have seen some videos of people flying through a cloud and when they come out there lens' are fogged or there is a drop of water on it. I dont waterproof my gear (to lazy) I just head into clouds that are nice and white, I try to avoid storm clouds or clouds that look to "heavy." The problem with the moisture in the clouds is that it gets in between your VTX and RX on the ground. I think there is like a 3dbi loss or something like that when you put a cloud in between. I have noticed some video loss at times but it just gets a little static then goes away.

Lucky for me the plane that I first cloud surfed with was my cheapy wing so I just went for it without thinking of consequences. Now I am comfortable to just shoot straight up.

Put all my gear on my stryker to get some cloud flying in tomorrow. Should get about 12-14 minutes of flight time and it should take me about 20 seconds to get up there. Lol, gotta love unlimited vertical.

[aaron_gx]

it depends on how thick the cloud is. In my vid, the clouds were VERY thick, and the lens was foggy most of the time. When the plane came down it was drenched. I did wrap my board cam in electrical tape prior to the flight for that reason. It survived ok, but I wouldnt do it often. Waterproof your video tx for sure...

[Adrenalinrush]

Airbag,

Did you see the new Stryker

http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=PKZ5675

what the heck does a bullet need a rudder for?!?

[aaron_gx]

a rudder would be sweet on a stryker. ;) That thing looks great, i want one! (just the fuse, not everything)

[Adrenalinrush]

a rudder would be sweet on a stryker. ;) That thing looks great, i want one! (just the fuse, not everything)

It looks like you can only get it RTF and BnF : /

Just cut some rudders in your old Stryker and voila !

[airbagit13]

Yeah the new Stryker is going to be pretty sweet, when I total this one I will buy the airframe and transfer my electronics. I flew mine FPV this morning, everything went great. She was nose heavy so I felt like I had to pull up the whole time but I will just move the battery back for tomorrows morning flight.

[aaron_gx]

airbagit, what frequency clover is that? Its large!

[airbagit13]

Lol its on 1280. It is quite large but didnt seem to effect the flight.

[Adrenalinrush]

<---- is SOO Lazy

I am still running the Vee antenna, that was the newest greatest thing. Do you have the link for the cloverleaf? Whats it used for? Farther than the Vee (cause I really like it, nice profile)

[airbagit13]

It is the Cloverleaf / Skew Planar combo:
http://videoaerialsystems.com/products/receiver-antennas/skew-planar-wheel/
http://videoaerialsystems.com/products/receiver-antennas/cloverleaf-circular-polarized-antenna/

They are circular polarized antennas instead of the usual Linear antennas (LP)

Personally I still love my Vee Antenna, I usually fly with my Vee antenna / Dual Patch Antenna set up. I am still experimenting with CP but loving it.

You can learn all about it here:
http://videoaerialsystems.com/how-to-choose-an-antenna/

And this video will teach you more about antennas then hours of searching the forums will:

http://vimeo.com/groups/2387/videos/8826952

[Adrenalinrush]

I said I was lazy!

That means build me one, make sure its for 1280mhz, and send it too me!

(Citing IBCrazys rant about wanting to choke someone).



P.S. Thanks for the link

[airbagit13]

Lol, I bought mine from IBcrazy, I have enough projects on my plate to take on antenna building. But watch that vimeo video I linked, IT IS AWESOME.

[SENTRY]

Here is some cloud tech for guys who are considering it... narrated throughout


http://vimeo.com/29489537

[airbagit13]

Nice how about we trade... my fatshark 5.8s for your 2.4! :)

[SENTRY]

Nope - I know better. LOL. :)

[airbagit13]

Oh but come on, its a bigger number so its gotta be better.

[SENTRY]

LOL

[airbagit13]

Like the trick my older cousin would pull on me when I was younger. Come on trade me your dime for my nickel, its bigger so its more.

[FPVflyer]

Uh, I see only now this thread, I have also done a cloud video :D


http://vimeo.com/39897608

[aaron_gx]

http://vimeo.com/39896998
Ooh, another cloud vid.

[gauravag]

Guys,
How do you waterproof your Video Txs ? I gather that if I shrink wrap them, then they will get too hot . I fly 1.3G 900mW and want to go through the clouds, but often when the clouds are low , they come with an occasional drizzle. Dont want to loose the plane just because of that !

Also the Brushless motor, i gather that it can work through in light drizzle ?

[faber]

@FPVFlyer That was the coolest fpv vid I have seen to date. and I have seen ALOT! awesome music too!!! I watched it over and over again. spectacular!!!

[SENTRY]

Filmed in Mexico in a controlled environment.


https://vimeo.com/34260460

[FPVflyer]

Hi Faber, thank you :)

I'm also ready to release my next video, there will also be some "cloudy" situations :)

[Moelich]

Here's my first time in the clouds. Now I just want to go back up there and play some more! I'm just waiting for the conditions to be right so I can do a night flight into the clouds...


https://vimeo.com/60937184

[FPVflyer]

Hi,
if you will do that, use the Gopro 3 black for it! it work much better than gopro 2 or 3 silver in the night. And also, use an fpv camera with good properties in low light condition, and last thing (VERY important), wait for a night with full moon, it will be EPIC! :D

[roberto]

LMAO


Filmed in Mexico