{"id":720,"date":"2012-05-27T20:39:47","date_gmt":"2012-05-28T00:39:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/hackaweek.com\/hacks\/?p=720"},"modified":"2012-05-27T20:41:16","modified_gmt":"2012-05-28T00:41:16","slug":"rc-helicopter-cam-hack","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/hackaweek.com\/hacks\/rc-helicopter-cam-hack\/","title":{"rendered":"RC Helicopter Cam Hack"},"content":{"rendered":"

RC Helicopters<\/a> are very popular right now and cheap! I picked this one up one at Radio Shack<\/a> for $60 and they can be had at Costco even cheaper. <\/p>\n

I thought it would be a good challenge to see if I could get a wireless video camera<\/a> airborne and shoot some video of the flight! I did a few load tests and found that the maximum payload that could be lifted with this helicopter was 2 ounces. After a lot of hacking, I managed to shave enough weight off to get the thing to carry the camera and 9 volt battery. I got a few flights and some video recorded just before it started to rain but the project was a success!<\/p>\n

I learned a few things about this class of RC helicopters while working on this project. They have a fairly short flight time and they aren’t that maneuverable. The flight time is something you have to live with but the lack of pitch control can be corrected. <\/p>\n

There’s a device at the top of the rotor shaft called the fly bar<\/a>. It’s purpose is to add stability and it does this through the use of weights at each end which create a gyro effect. I found that if I removed the weights it allowed a much great change in pitch and thus in maneuverability of the craft.<\/p>\n

Watch the video for the full explanation and some video from the helicopter. Get one of these and a wireless camera and have some fun!<\/p>\n

Keep On Hackin!<\/p>\n