FPV Projection Camera

The FPV projection camera will be instrumental in providing a live video feed to the GCS. This is done using a 5.8 GHz wireless link. The components for this part of the build can be found in Box 7 and include:

• FPV camera with built-in transmitter and antenna (mounted to VRC drone)

• FPV receiver (on the ground)

• FPV monitor (on the ground)

These components are shown in the photo below.

Monitor, receiver, and transmitter

Mounting

To mount the projection camera and built-in transmitter to the VRC drone you will make use of double-sided tape and zip ties.

FPV projection camera and adhesive

Cut a small piece of adhesive, fold it over, and attach it to the side of your camera as shown below.

Camera with tape applied

Press the camera securely onto the side of the ring mount of the camera plate as show in the photo below. Fasten two zip ties together to create enough length to wrap around both the camera and ring mount. This will ensure that the camera does not come loose while in the air.

Be gentle with the camera as the solder joint for the antenna is fragile. You do not want to accidentally have the antenna come loose!

Projection camera mounted with adhesive and secured with zip ties

Plug the XT-60 connector from the camera into the XT-60 connector of the FC's power module. This will allow the Venom battery to power the camera and the VRC drone.

XT-60 connector of camera sitting between the batter and the FC's power module

There will be some slack in the power cable between the camera and the XT-60 connector. Use your best judgment regarding how much slack to leave available. Given you will be powering the system with the Venom battery repeatedly, you do not want to put any strain on the camera during this process.

Receiver Power

With the camera and transmitter mounted to your VRC drone the next step is to provide power to the receiver and monitor. The monitor and receiver power cables will be cut and soldered together.

Monitor and receiver power cables

Go ahead and cut off the Deans connector (red with two brass contacts) from the monitor cable and JST connector (red plug) from the receiver power cable. Strip the cables and place heat shrink over the monitor power cable as shown below.

Monitor and receiver power cables stripped and ready for soldering

After soldering the cables and applying heat shrink your connections should look identical to the photo below. The wall power supply can be located in Box 7 and plugs into the red barrel jack of the monitor cable.

Powering the monitor and receiver from the wall adapter

Receiver Connection & Frequency

The next step is to make sure your video connections are set up properly. This will enable you to receive the video feed from your VRC drone on the FPV projection monitor. Plug the yellow RCA plug from the receiver cable into the V1 input from the monitor as shown below. Plug the other end of the receiver cable into the port labeled "AV Out 1".

Receiver video plug connected to V1 of monitor cable

The final step is to make sure your receiver band and channel are set properly. Go ahead and power up your VRC drone (using the battery) and receiver/monitor (using wall adapter). Turn on your monitor and there's a good chance you won't have a video feed yet. Make sure your monitor is set to AV1, which can be toggled using the V1/V2 button on the monitor. In the top right of the screen you'll see AV1.

By default the FPV projection camera will be on frequency band 4. Click the FR button on the receiver until it displays 4 as the first number on the display. Within this frequency band you will need to find the right channel. Since everything is powered up you can simply press the CH button until you see the video feed displayed on your projection monitor. Make note of this channel in case your receiver settings accidentally get reset.

FPV projection system up and running

If you have any problems getting your FPV projection system up and running please don't hesitate to post in the Ask an Engineer channel in Microsoft Teams.