Basic FPV Setup

by FliteTest | October 24, 2012 | (58) Posted in Tips

You may have watched some of our FPV episodes or you've heard us briefly talk about FPV camera setups but we've never really shared how to setup a basic FPV camera kit.  


In this Fast Tip Josh and Chad talk about what to expect when investing in an FPV camera kit.






Hobby King's 900MHZ 200mW Tx/Rx & 1/3-inch CCD Camera NTSC kit is one that we use in our FPV setups and we think it's a great starter kit. Purchasing everything together allows you a nice platform to build more advanced setups and assures you that you'll have all the components that you need.



The camera doesn't record audio in this kit so the yellow wire connects to the white wire when connected.





This kit doesn't come with any power so you will need to provide your own. Chad created a connector that will allow you to connect power a Turnigy 2200mAh 3S 35C Lipo Pack. (or whichever power pack you prefer)





The lens that comes stock in this kit is not very good. The narrow field of view makes it bad for FPV, so we recommend replacing it with a wide angle lens 2.1mm.





To replace the lens, connect the camera to a monitor and unscrew the old lens and replace with the new lens using the monitor to set your focus. Remember, you will want to focus on distance!




We created these simple camera pack mounts that are great for installing into most any plane. The transmitter gets hot, so be sure to allow for air flow!

Here is a basic diagram connecting to a GoPro Camera 2.5mm plug:




Frequencies For Dummies (Article)

Frequency Chart (Article)

Demystifying Antenna and Frequency Selection (Article)

The Cloverleaf Antenna (Article)

Learn more about the FPV Camera kit mentioned in this video:

900MHZ 200mW Tx/Rx & 1/3-inch CCD Camera NTSC
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewitem.asp?idproduct=13438&aff=247441   

Wide Angle Lens (2.1mm)
http://www.rangevideo.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=6&products_id=27  

Turnigy 500mAh 3S 20C Lipo Pack
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewitem.asp?idproduct=9275&aff=247441

Turnigy 2200mAh 3S 35C Lipo Pack
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewitem.asp?idproduct=10383&aff=247441

Also check out Simple FPV Article for more details!
http://flitetest.com/articles/simple_fpv?q=simple%20fpv

Here's some more resources to help get you started in FPV:

  

  







COMMENTS

cwozny on October 24, 2012
Excellent! Just remember to not take the lens off for too long so you don't get any dust or dirt on your image sensor!
Log In to reply
dal69 on October 26, 2012
This is very informative.
Once I am able to keep the plane in the air long enough to photo something I will explore the possibilities! I am the basic learning phase of RC'ing. Keep up the great work.
Log In to reply
casehatter on October 25, 2012
Thanks Guys good info.
Log In to reply
dadi3 on November 15, 2012
I noticed that you are using 2.4Ghz radio transmitter. Are you using low frequency filter? Is it recomended to use it?
Log In to reply
liveyourdreamsRC on October 25, 2012
Great article! Maybe make one about hooking this system up to the gopro and making the other connector in another vid? 5 stars.
Log In to reply
tramsgar on October 26, 2012
Did Josh just Freudian slip me to "get my LSD" @ 8:03?
Log In to reply
flitetest_argentina on October 24, 2012
why fast tip? It should be fast tips! Or justa TIP! But nice episode. 5 starts from me!
Log In to reply
jakezilla on October 25, 2012
Gah, $10 shipping on a $10 lens.... Why do these niche online stores always try to kill you with shipping costs? Fast Tip = eBay ;)
Log In to reply
Hasersys on October 25, 2012
I have been looking for some thing new to try. I have always been planning on doing fpv, just didn't know when. Well, I need a new project, and this video made me find my direction. Thanks Flitetest, I will be ordering this fpv system as my first.
Log In to reply
santiago404 on October 25, 2012
Deserved 6 stars because the gopro diagram, it REALLY helped me.
Log In to reply
Manuel on December 3, 2012
Hi guys. I recently got the 900 mhz system. Somehow I don't know how to power it up. The rx just shows me a "3".Nothing really works. Could you help me?
Log In to reply
Manuel on October 29, 2012
This video has really helped me. Thanks!
Log In to reply
Kevin Lee on October 24, 2012
Nice Fast tip ! :)
Log In to reply
1aalbes1 on October 27, 2012
i liked the idee of de camera lenses, so i bought all 3 ther are, and wene i get them, i can find out whits one i like most ,
Log In to reply
realFPV on November 29, 2012
Is there a difference between NTSC and PAL Cameras?
Log In to reply
Flight4Life on January 29, 2013
So.. I got one of these (different frequency, though), got a connector for the Rx.. Is there a special way to solder it to a battery connector (as in: which lead is positive, which is negative?

Log In to reply
HarryM on February 20, 2013
I was wondering if you know why HK lists the 900mhz System under 3 different numbers.
The only difference I see is in the camera. Is there any other difference that I missed?

CP200-520P (super HAD camera)
9171000009 (super HAD camera)
CN20012RX4T (NOT HAD Camera)

Thanks!

Log In to reply
stevevm on April 9, 2013
Can someone tell me how to wire the power for the receiver. Is positive or negative in the centre? I see someone else has asked the same question above.
Log In to reply
Ivanlopezvergara on June 14, 2013
Just watch for this http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uploads/752859195X295931X47.pdf

You need to correct the wire that is connected to the camara
Log In to reply
ExTerMINater267 on April 25, 2014
How would you recommend powering the camera? theres no port on my plane to plug it in so im Stumped.
Log In to reply
GerengG on May 29, 2014
Can anyone help me?
I bought the Boscam 5.8GHz fpv system wich the vtx is powered with 7.4v. Also i bought a camera that is powered with 5v. Does anyone know how can i connect the camera to the vtx?
Log In to reply
_OZ_ on May 29, 2015
You mentioned to use a 12v and not a 5v camera. Why?
Log In to reply
Vampircorn on July 16, 2015
Can I splice the power lines from the camera into the battery connector on my esc? I don't have enough room in my plane for another battery.
Log In to reply

You need to log-in to comment on articles.


Basic FPV Setup