timnilson: Lexan Ground-Station Build Log

[timnilson]

I wanted a ground station that is:

• Super small
• Packs a punch
• Light
• Can go on top of a tripod and also stand on its own
• Has nothing stuck/taped to the tripod legs.
• Be transparent... I got my inspiration from the MK-Stefan ground station (check it out if you have not seen it!)

The gear I am using:

• 5800 ImmersionRC Diversity Video RX
• ImmersionRC PowerBox
• ImmersionRC Antenna Tracker
• ImmersionRC/ReadyMadeRC Antenna Tracker pod
• 19db Patch antenna & 9db omni-directional antenna
• Redundant power via 2 5000mah batteries
• SD card video recorder
• FatShark "Base" Goggles
• Voltage meters
• Fan to keep the internal gear cool
• 7" Headrest monitor in the front
• Proline Tri-Pod

To fit the gear, I designed a 3D lexan enclosure with all cut-outs for switches, meters, fan, monitor, goggle connections. The back is a door held in place by magnets. The box uses precision tapped screw threads, so does not need to be glued together. The box has 2 internal shelves, providing for 3 compartments total:

Bottom: batteries
Middle: PowerBox and Video RX
Third: SD video recorder, etc...

I just started the build, but here are some initial pictures.

=======
EDIT: The finished GS. More pictures and video here.







EDIT 5/29/2022: I changed the antenna tracker to the ServoCity 'gear boxes'.
http://fpvlab.com/forums/showthread....ull=1#post8984

[PnoT]

Ok, how can I order one

[Trappy]

ohmygodinternalbattery! haha sweet!

[Reverand Blue Chip]

Beautiful job.

[timnilson]

Thanks Trappy, PnoT, Blue Chip! If there is interest and we can get 10 or so people together, I will sell the Lexan kit with screws. Wait till you guys see this sitting on the tripod. I smiled when I mounted it on the tripod last night with the antenna tracker on top -- it's coming out better than I had imagined.

[Garbach]

Awesome build! Looks like your previous hobby was casemodding! Are you going to hook up goggles to it as well? You know now that the wooden antenna tracker is going to stick out like a sore thumb and you will have to do that one in Lexan or carbon fiber as well!

[timnilson]

Awesome build! Looks like your previous hobby was casemodding! Are you going to hook up goggles to it as well? You know now that the wooden antenna
tracker is going to stick out like a sore thumb and you will have to do that one in Lexan or carbon fiber as well!

Garbach -- The FatShark 'base' goggle connections are the crummy chinch/rca connections, but at least one custom cable runs all connections including power. I mounted the wooden antenna tracking unit yesterday -- and you are absolutely right that it does stick out a bit. I've seen aluminum ones on a german FPV shop site... mmmmm....

[Garbach]

Go for it.... make it look purdy...

[timnilson]

ohmygodinternalbattery! haha sweet!

I was inspired by your ground station as well and watched your ground station video a few times to see what you did. When I looked over your ground station I was wondering how to clean up the wiring a bit -- I decided to go with the ImmersionRC powerbox (which I think you're using now as well, no?).

[Trappy]

yeah. I wish I had a powerbox when I first built my GS