FPV Skywalker 550 Frame

[jimbo385]

I';ve just ordered ordered one of these frames from http://www.unmannedtechshop.co.uk/multi-rotor/frames-kits/fpv550-quadcopter-frame-spacewalk-550.html

I';ve also ordered the Crius board GPS comboo from CRTimer. http://rctimer.com/index.php?gOo=goods_details.dwt&goodsid=838&productname=

I think that my biggest issue is going to be configuring the board. Would like to know if I should go MegaPirateNG /ArduCopterNG/ArduPlaneNG/MultiWii firmware?

Also, I reall don';t know what PC software is best to use!

Also thinking about adding Bluetooth but which unit. Will this one work with all of the firmware versions mentioned above?

I know, loadsa questions! All help appreciated!

Many thanks.

Jim

[firey1]

with the 3dr radio you dont really need bluetooth unless you dont want to take out a laptop

with the crius board you only have the choice of megapirate or multi wii
the ardu plane/copter is for the apm board its written for

as for me i run mega pirate 2.9.1 beta version on my cruis v1 and use mission planner as my software i only have bluetooth on my quad and use it through my laptop or andriod phone 

[jimbo385]

Well I have a small Netbook that I';d like to use and I understand that the USB slot can be damaged if it';s repeatedly used! Therefore I';d like to use bluetooth to configure the board.

It looks like MegaPirateNG  is the one to go for then.Would I update the firmware through the bluetooth or through USB to start off with?

Hopefully when I receive the works there will be instructions on how to connect everything up and configure to make it all work!

Cheers firey1.

Jim

[jimbo385]

Is Mission Planner the only software that works with the Crius board with GPS, MegaPirateNG   and a PC?

If there are others, what works best for beginners and why?

Thanks guys n gals.

[firey1]

they say that the usb is fixed in v2 of the board but if in doubt i just put a blob of epoxy on the back of the usb around the board connections

you will need the usb to flash the board first with ardino then for connection to mission planner as there are a few things that wont work over bluetooth
Jumpy07 did a great manual on how to setup for mega pirate thats all i followed its under that heading in forum
http://www.multi-rotor.co.uk/index.php?board=51.0 and select the right one for your board v2

[firey1]

well for beginners some say multi wii is the better choice
but i guess it depends how savy you are

this was my first quad and intro into the boards and programming and setup and for me i found mega pirate easy  did try multi wii but couldnt get my head round it
the 2 best people to talk to about both programes are
jumpy 07 for mega pirate
Gaza 07 for multi wii

as these two guys wrote the manuals on here for them

[jimbo385]

Cheers   

I';ve downloaded the MegaPirateNG   version.

Jim

[firey1]

no worries just sing out if you need any help

[jimbo385]

OK,

I';m starting to get things together now. Equipment won';t be here for a little while so I thought that I';d look at the software needed to configure the board.

Went to the Arduino site (http://arduino.cc/en/Main/Software) to download the megepirate code, but which one? I decided to download 1.0.4 and 1.5.2 versions. The 1.5.2 appears to be in beta format though but I thought I';d try it out.

I also downloaded Megapirate compiler version 2.8 R3.

As per the instructions, I copied the megapirate Library into the 1.5.2 and ran Arduino. I made the necessary changes and compiled. Errors! quite a few actually!

I did the same with version 1.0.4 and it compiled cleanly!

Which is the best version to use? 1.5.2 or 1.0.4 as there seems to be a huge difference in version numbers!


Question, If I have the board connected, how does the software upload or is this done automatically once compiled?

Question, Should save the compiled version?

Cheers.

[Gaza07]

You should use v1.04 and once you have edited the sketch / firmware to suit your board you then make sure you have the correct com port selected and the correct board tye in the arduino app the board type you should select is the arduino mega 2560 or mega ADK then just hit the upload button this will compile the code and upload it to your board 

[jimbo385]

Cheers Gazza! 

[jimbo385]

Received a txt message this morning from Royal Mail stating that my package from www.unmannedtechshop.co.uk stating that they will atempt to deliver my package today!

That';ll be the frame and motors then!

I';ll post picks later.

[Biffa]

It';s a pretty cool frame. I bought one a while back but haven';t started my build yet - bloody skint at the mo.

[jimbo385]

Know what you mean Biffa!

Other than a Twister I have, this will be my first Quad. I';m thinking about getting a cheaper 450 frame to get up and running and learn how to fly these things and when I get a bit better, transfer the gear over to the FPV.

[Biffa]

I used my 450 quad as a test bed for all the FPV gear making sure it all worked and I could bodge it all together successfully

[firey1]

what i did first was put extra weight on quad and in the same places to match the fpv gear then use that to get PIDs right for the weight