GoPro Pan-N-Tilt RC

First off: 
1) This is my first instructable so if i leave something out just ask.
2) I suck at spelling and grammar.
3) Im going to assume that you kinda know how to use tools, and a measuring devise.
4) If I jump around some its because this is just what was done, the order in witch it is done doesn't matter, and I put a part on then took   it off to make it easer to add other parts and holes then put it all back together once all the holes are in.

That being said this is my GoPro Pan-N-Tilt radio controlled head, I put it on my EMT conduit jib crane or my track dolly I made(that i hope to integrate in to the RC realm soon)


Where I got my parts: 

The aluminum and screws where purchased at Low's 
The Servos, ServoBlocks, and Servo Stands where purchased from servocity.com (a kickass web sight for cool stuff)
The Stepper motor case I had laying around
The RC Heli...Well I had a hard time trying to fly it and thought it would be better put to use in some other form... That can't crash

Step 1: Parts

1/16" X 1 1/2' Angle aluminum
1/16" X 1/2" Angle aluminum
1/16" X 1 1/2" Flat aluminum
1/8" X 1 1/2" Flat aluminum
6 X 32 screws about 1/2"
8 X 32 Screws short about 1/4"
Stepper Motor case, bearings, screws
8 X 32 screw, 3 washers, 2 nylock nuts
Crashed RC helicopter RC parts, radio and battery 
servocity.com
One (1) Vertical Aluminum Mount
Two (2) ServoBlocks
Two (2) Servos

Comments

[Ismegordo]

Hey there Wallaby13,
What a great Instructable and if it's your first I can't wait to see your future ones. And as for Grammar don't be too concerned, you are doing ok, as in we get what you are talking about just fine.
And yes while it is good for someone to let us know that there are laws etc.. that we could be breaking, there is a way of doing it also. I am sure that you never meant any harm to anyone and others have given ways to get around it, but I have to say as you did, if you don't need a lic. to buy the machine and you don't have to read any particular literature then HOW are you supposed to know it's against the Law.
And the answer is easy, YOU aren't.
Anyway once again Thanks for a great Project and if you get those movies uploaded please let us know it would be great to see.
Take Care
Gordo

[andrew_h]

This is quite freaky. I just spent my last weekend building an almost identical rig for my gopro! The main difference between mine and yours is in the electronics. I used one of the gimbals from an old/cheap TX i had and hooked it to an Arduino to control the servos. The defining difference here is that the servos will stay where you move them to, and they move faster with greater movement of the stick. i.e, they do not automatically re-center when you let go of the stick (i have a button for that). Happy to share if you or anyone else is interested.

[Wallaby13]

I orignal used an arduino to control this but it was too jittrey for me,(and Im bad with code) so I rumaged around and came up with the RC stuff, I do have plans for some of the other chanels on the transmiter. the servos Im using now are cheep so Im thinking of geting some digatal ones to see if i can get it a bit smoother and mabby quieter

Id like to see what you did with your rig as well!

Wallaby

[HeathVideo]

Another good point. Living in Detroit with Canada just across the river I had never given that any thought.

[HeathVideo]

Very valid points. I'm not against freq. allocations, just very pro freq. coordination.
No one wants to cause injury either personal or property. Check and re-check is my motto!

[Nano_Burger]

Great stuff. How about a video of your rig in action! Maybe a HD video from your GoPro as well.

[Wallaby13]

Im going to post some as soon as I can get the time, work has been very very hectic lately.

[redcapediver]

This looks fantastic!
I'd definitely like to see some test footage too.

[jwzumwalt]

This is a nice how2 and shows real ingenuity.

However, I thought you might like to know that using ANY AIRBORNE transmitter or receiver for a SURFACE object is AGAINST THE LAW.

This law is in place to protect the expensive and obviously catastrophic consequences of airborne equipment being interfered with. How would you feel if your helicopter had crashed because someone was experimenting?

FCC Part 95

(a) Your R/C station may transmit only on the following channels (frequencies):

(1) The following channels may be used to operate any kind of device, including a model aircraft device (any small imitation of an aircraft) or a model surface craft device (any small imitation of a boat, car, or other vehicle for carrying people or objects, except aircraft):

26.995 MHz .... ....27.255MHz

(2) The following channels may only be used to operate a model aircraft device: 72.01 MHz... ...72.99 MHz

(3) The following channels may only be used to operate a model surface craft devices:

75.41 MHz
75.53 MHz
75.43 MHz
75.55 MHz
75.45 MHz
75.57 MHz
75.47 MHz
75.59 MHz
75.49 MHz
75.61 MHz
75.51 MHz
75.63 MHz
75.65 MHz
75.83 MHz
75.67 MHz
75.85 MHz
75.69 MHz
75.87 MHz
75.71 MHz
75.89 MHz
75.73 MHz
75.91 MHz
75.75 MHz
75.93 MHz
75.77 MHz
75.95 MHz
75.79 MHz
75.97 MHz
75.81 MHz
75.99 MHz

[Wallaby13]

Dang you don't have to go all cap-ie yell-ie, cut and past.

After I made this instructable I switched to one of the binding TX RX things.
I also have never heard of felony RC operating, I also did not know of the hole FCC thing seeing as i did not need to get a license to buy any RC stuff,( tho I need a license for lots of other things I do so ill know the rules and laws pertaining to what I'm doing) also is it a world FCC Part 95 law or just in U.S.?

And thanks to everyone with nice comments. Its nice to know some people like your ideas

Wallaby

[zwild1]

Just a quick crystal swap and he'll be good to go! No need to shout. I liked that he repurposed the Heli transmitter and receiver.

[jwzumwalt]

This does not necessarily work.

Aircraft are usually operated on either a high or low band, with the high band being preferred. His receiver will only work on the band assigned to it even with a crystal change.

JZ

[telefinnicker]

well done kill-joy.

Thanks for the info but as @zwild1 said, a quick crystal swap fixes that. No need to be cranky about it. (or yell)

[HeathVideo]

good freq info, but I've wonder since first reading the FCC rules on this." how does one aircraft know not to be interfered with by another aircraft? yet that same freq used by an earth bound machine will interfere with your helicopter or plane? How is that? Seems to me that isn't the real reason and the only safe thing is freq. coordination by users, and limiting power to only what is needed. To the creator of this instructable "I say rock on you scraper and reuser!"

[jwzumwalt]

Great question :)

There many more ground vehicles than aircraft. If a ground vehicle is struck with a frequency clash there usually is no money lost. However, aircraft probably average $200-300 in price, and helicopters are at least double that. It is not uncommon for a model jet to cost $5000-$10000 dollars. Also, a boat or car going awry is not likely to injure or kill someone. If an average sized .60 aircraft strikes a person or car serious injury or death is a distinct possibility. (A friend of mine had another modeler accidentally turn his transmitter on and his plane hit a car's grill, hood and windshield. The vehicle repair was about $1800 + $300 for the plane)

By keeping the two sports separated, the chance for airborne failure is greatly reduced. It is also a lot easier for an aircraft hobbyist to scan the sky for a few minutes and assume a reasonable amount of safety. If ground operated vehicles are on the air frequency, an aircraft may not know their is a problem until it is too late. Thanks for your question :)

JZ

[andrew_h]

And now with 2.4Ghz, your whole point is *almost* moot. 2.4ghz is used for both surface and air. Besides, FCC is only relevant in America... jm2c...

[aviatordave]

Agreed, go 2.4 Ghz or HAM band, then it dont matter. 72 Mhz is a North American freq that is getting less and less crowded as time goes on.

[telefinnicker]

Thanks Dude! Great one!

I'm a grammar nazi but I overlooked it to totally enjoy your idea, ingenuity and design.

You have inspired me to go and make one. I love your work.

[fjr_scoot]

Nice job - thanks for sharing. Oh - and your grammer's just fine!

[albertkelley25]

awesome i just recently purchased a Gopro and I'm twelve and love this stuff