Building a UAV base

Why would you want to build a UAV? Well, first, what is a UAV? A UAV is anything that flys and doesn't have a pilot or someone directly controlling the aircraft. I bet you have heard about the CIA drones, well those drones are a type of UAV. Now, why you would want to build one. WHY NOT?! I mean, having your own plane that can fly itself based on waypoints....that's pretty awesome. Plus, we're going to do the whole thing for less than $400. Yes, you read that right. That's everything; plane, controller, RC connection and camera downlink. EVERYTHING.
So, if I have convinced you, let's start with the parts.

Oh, and please vote for this project! :) Every vote helps a lot. 

Step 1: Parts - RC plane

This is going to be a long list, so just bare with me. These are the parts that you are going to need to just build the plane. If you aren't interested in making it autonomous (fly itself) this is still a pretty awesome plane. OK, here goes:

Hardware/glue: 
Fuselage - http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXFRU7&P=ML
***It seems as if this fuselage has been discontinued. You can by the RTF version here: http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXFXV0&P=ML and change out the motor. 
****There is also a substitute frame that you can buy here: http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__16544__Hobbyking_Bixler_EPO_1400mm_ARF_.html
If you buy this plane, then you don't need to buy a motor or servos. It comes included.
Magnets - http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=8288
CA accelerator - http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=8456
CA glue - http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=8443
Hinges - http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=8424
Propellors - http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=8006
Carbon Fiber (x2) - http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXJDN9
Carbon Fiber (x2) - http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXJDP4 
Foam sheeting...you can find it at your local hobby + crafts shop

Electronics:
ESC - http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=2165
Servos - http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=662
Motor (doesn't have to be this one, but something close) -http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__15190__S2858_2630_Brushless_Inrunner_2630kv_.html 
Battery - http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?id
Product=8932
Charger - http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=7028
Power supply for charger: http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__20968__Hobbyking_60w_Power_Supply.html
Safety charger pack - http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=4134
XT60 connector - http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=9572
Battery monitor - http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=14627
Insane RC controller - http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=8992
Y harness - http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXSGN3

Comments

[he who crashes often]

just wondering why you went with a dx5e for the controls? if you go on hobbyking.com, you can get the turnigy 9x (9 channels, fully programmable, model memory, etc...) for under $60. also, the 9xr (same radio but more configurable and with a very cool looking case and better firmware) is coming out around christmas.

[dchall8]

Nice work with a lot of potential.  I have some questions.  My interest is in photographing the ground to update Google Earth images.  I think I'm going to have to fly at about 500 feet tracking back and forth with some degree of stability and precision over the ground. 

1.  Prices have definitely come down.  Wasn't long ago you could not get a controller for less than $500.  Is that due to the popularity of robotics? 

2.  The fuselage you used is discontinued.  I did not see another pusher with no landing gear on that website.  What were your reasons for picking that design?

3.  What is the purpose of the carbon fiber rods?  Is the plane not already stiff enough to fly?  And if they are for stiffness, why not use bamboo skewers for less than a penny? 

4.  So far all you have is a plane.  What direction are you headed for navigation, waypoints, and video?  Is this going to be something programmed from a laptop, tablet, or phone?  Will the video display on a laptop, tablet, or phone?  Will the plane or controller be a WiFi hotspot? 

5.  Can the motor/prop be quieter?  I don't need stealth, but I don't want to scare the livestock where I'm going to be flying. 

6.  What is the flying time for the plane as it sits?  What do you think the range will be with autonomous navigation? 

[samr37l]

Wow, nice questions. Ok..here goes:
1. Yes, it is due to popularity of robotics + cheap controllers.

2. I picked that design for the glide ratio, cabin space, and pusher prop. I have added a substitute plane in the instructable.

3. I added the carbon rods because I cut out the middle of the plane.

4. I am actually not sure. I'm currently working on a system that uses 2x Arduinos, one for an IMU and one for the waypoint controller. I'm thinking of changing the controller to a Nexus One, but that would get pretty costly. I'm hoping to have an instructable up in the middle of the summer about the UAV controller.

5. yah...harder said than done. If you want a quite plane I would suggest getting a glider with an electric prop. Gain your altitude using the prop away from the livestock, then glide over the livestock with the motor off. Plus, usually the glidder motors are smaller, making less noise.

6. I can fly this plane for around 45 minutes, though I haven't utilized thermal is my area. With the uAV controller (which will be able to ride thermals) I hope to get a longer flying time.

Does that answer all your questions?

[dchall8]

4. That is great news. Again, thank you for sharing.

5. Glider might work great. With autonomous control you could conceivably set the motor to activate when the altitude dropped below 500 ft AGL and cut off at 600 AGL. Hmmmmm. The noise at that altitude would not be a bother. It is the noise getting there that would be the issue.

6. 45 minutes is excellent. Any projection for time on wing the added weight of the UAV and photo payload?

[samr37l]

well, what kind of photo payload? I added a small HD camera (about the same weight as a AA battery) and that didn't change the flying time at all. I think you could add up to a small sony powershot camera (as an example, I have one infront of me right now) but that would probably bring you flight time down to 35 min or so. Although, using a glider platform would bring your time back up. It really is a science....balancing everything out to get the most time possible. I would say, though, that so long as you don't stick on a DSLR and you don't use a rc-ducted fan airplane, you should be fine. If you have more questions you might want to head over to diydrones.com, they have some great insight on stuff like this. I hope that answered your question....

[FrozenIce]

you had me at 400....
lol awesome

[samr37l]

Thanks! The whole things might actually cost less....it matters how much the UAV electronics cost. That will be for another instructable :)