Introduction: DIY FPV Ground Station for Less $$$ Than You Think

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About: I like flying, tinkering, origami, engineering, art, camping, life hacking, winning souls for Christ, and getting things to work the first time around.

Hey, welcome to my Instructable. This is an FPV ground station that I built to use with my Tiny Whoop (I have an Instructable on my Tiny Whoop setup as well: My Tiny Whoop: a Whoop Recipe + A Few Tips and Tricks). It weighs about 2 pounds, is nice and compact and easy to carry, and allows other people to see what I see through my goggles. All you need is a single power outlet.

Step 1: Monitor

I can't really tell you what monitor this is, because I got this from a friend's dad who happens to be a STEM teacher. It is 7" and runs off of a 12V adapter. I guess it would be about $20 online, let me know if I'm wrong.

Step 2: Power Supply

To power this thing, I need two adapters, one for the receiver and one for the monitor. I found these lying around my house and secured them in the case with Velcro strips. I also slipped in a 3-1 adapter so I only need one outlet. Online, this shouldn't cost more than $20, bringing the total to $40.

Step 3: Receiver

I struck gold at a swap meet and got this Immersion RC receiver for $2 from a guy who just got the newest model of the same thing. A receiver that works just as well is available on Hobby King for $15 under the brand "Quanum," with a diversity version also available if you want diversity. Total so far: $55

Step 4: Cables

Cables to hook up the AV input to the monitor. No cost, hopefully.

Step 5: Book Cover

I use a book cover to make sure the screen doesn't get scratched b stuff jumbling around in the case. $1 at Dollar Tree, $56 total.

Step 6: Case

For the case, go to a thrift store and find something that you can fit all of your components in snuggly. Mine came from some Playmobil pirate set. About $5 at a thrift store, so $61.

Step 7: Put It All Together

Now that you have all of your components, hot-glue everything into the case. Make sure you can close the lid entirely first.

Step 8: Powering On

It WOOOOOORRRRRKS!!!!!

Step 9: Possible Improvements

I would like to have a DVR somewhere in there, but I was not able to acquire one. Assuming you are buying everything, this should cost you under $70, and less if you already have stuff. It cost me only $2, but that is because I got the receiver for $2 and the monitor for free. If you make one of these, be sure to let me know!