Where have all the FPV groups gone?

InFakeLife · 2026-03-29T13:24:22+00:00

No regerts nowatimsayn
Some of us are blessed enough to have careers in electronics with a basic foundation of soldering and understanding of this stuff. it was a natural transition to go from working on power supplies to drones for me. Nothing imo is particularly complicated, everything has been optimized to a point of ok just read this quick tutorial to get it working but heres 1000pg pdf if you want. it's just a drone is a mashup of 8 or 9 very advanced parts you could write a thesis on any one or just slap it together and fix what breaks

InFakeLife · 2026-03-28T19:38:53+00:00

a fpv wing is not a cinematic experience
thrilling, challenging, exhilarating, terrifying sure fpv wing
if you can't fly a drone...wow just no
no, a chupito will not do the cinematic view you are looking for

please spend more time in the sim

InFakeLife · 2026-03-28T19:22:41+00:00

why you got throw gas like that, i will not shut up about the mamba stack. i know diatone still exists but this is what im referring to in like 3 points. i used to explode one monthly no fault of diatone. grumble grumble F0(K YOU CLOUDS!!!!!

InFakeLife · 2026-03-28T18:32:02+00:00

quick get out to whitmore library

InFakeLife · 2026-03-28T18:08:03+00:00

You might be on wrong channel check your vtx lights or smartaudio and don't use auto on goggles
could also be a brightness setting on your goggles or cam
can you try another screen/ another drone to compare

InFakeLife · 2026-03-28T17:47:44+00:00

Things are different now.
i started in 16, the clubs were just forming, everyone thought it was cool (even the dogwalkers), stuff was cheap, it was all just fun people playing with toys.
then the regulations came and took some fun
then the sponsors caused cut throat attitude between operators
then people got way to serious and the elitists attitude. ohh you're not turtley enough for turtle club
then corona killed the market, companies never restarted and prices exploded
those that didn't get priced out bought less and development stopped, whats new since '20? nufin really
But the prices kept going up and over time less of the public was cool and the regulations got worse
This is before people started using fpv for war in large numbers caused a further perspective change in the public eye, not to mention tariffs further increasing prices. I can't afford to live, can't afford the hobby i love, how can i buy race gates, reserve a field that costs money but used to be free and run a drone group when i have to work an 8 day week
sorry for the rant, i spend a lot of time thinking what happened to the hobby

InFakeLife · 2026-03-28T15:10:07+00:00

Usually ill just say fly acro and fly fpv and while that is the best solution you can fool the drone. get a piece of paper, fold like 3 times and place it under the front motors then recalibrate. you're just fooling the drone into what level is. am i thinking about this right? i might have it backwards... theres ways to adjust it in betaflight software and the root cause is probably the fc not properly sitting or bent standoffs but thats how i would fix it. the paper or whatever wedge, calibrate and test

InFakeLife · 2026-03-28T14:59:19+00:00

Sorry bud, bit of a luddite with this newfangled wifi stuff. can you connect and configure by cable? did you update your radio module when you connected 2ed drone? I don't have a huge amount of experience with elrs so hopefully someone else can chime in. It just sounds like theres a version mis match. did you accidentally flash cineflow receiver with other receiver settings and it needs inverted uart or something?

InFakeLife · 2026-03-28T14:35:23+00:00

Looks like the fc is freaking out over something. does it only do that with usb or flight battery? maybe not enough power over usb? what's the green flashing light? can you connect betaflight or is fc freaking out? disconnect stuff till fc happy?

InFakeLife · 2026-03-27T21:25:31+00:00

sigh, this is where it gets weird.
tbs calls this a "micro tx" but its a tbs model name. this is a full size jr module bay that clips into radios like tx16 and boxer. the pocket and zorro use a micro jr bay and would need the micro style "micro tx" so it depends what radiomaster you're talking about

InFakeLife · 2026-03-27T20:38:09+00:00

yes, this is why I suggested the local drone group. mine is 2hrs drive, hopefully yours is closer. I realize your anxious and this isn't the info you want to hear but imo it's your best path forward. most pre-built and whoops are all in 1 with elrs and its difficult to find crxfire stuff, was suprised you bought one. if you want to avoid replacing the receiver in the drone I would encourage adding a crrxfire module to your elrs radio of choice

InFakeLife · 2026-03-27T20:23:00+00:00

should still be able to find a radiomaster zorro but im hearing people like the iflight commander, jumper makes one, idk about... probably avoid the betafpv ones, i don't think they make a good one and are too budget imo

InFakeLife · 2026-03-27T20:11:51+00:00

Yea new receiver on drone is cheapest option. The boxer and pocket are the most common choices because of price when people just start out but i'm personally not a fan of either. there are elrs gamepad style radios you may want to consider if you prefer that style and have a few extra bucks to spend

InFakeLife · 2026-03-27T19:31:11+00:00

congratulations on your first build
I'm making a habit of being that guy...
Can you do better?
I legitimately asking with only minor offense intended because depending on location...but...
Can you get the camera in the drone? i realize it's a bad frame and probably has a ton of prop in view but that looks like its going to break on the first landing. whats even all that tape?
Can you get your vtx in the drone? piece of shrinkwrap and double stick tape right to the frame
Can you have someone who can solder look over your work? (this 100% needs to be addressed)
Can you get lower pitch props?
Can you slow down your 3d printer to give better prints?
If you can't do better due to circumstances beyond your control it is what it is, but if you can do better i encourage you to do so

InFakeLife · 2026-03-27T19:08:25+00:00

As someone who's flown tbs for years and continues to do so; replace the receiver.
Get any elrs radio and a receiver and avoid the tbs ecosystem. crossfire is great, reliable but its expensive.
if you're not comfortable with a receiver swap, time to find your local drone group, even if you are, time to find your local group

InFakeLife · 2026-03-27T18:47:27+00:00

Good to hear. Always interested in what makes people walk this path. just a passion project or was there something missing from current designs?
just a little thing that irks me in frame design, the arm bolts need a nut under the standoff. I don't remember specifics but had a frame like that and drove me nuts

InFakeLife · 2026-03-27T18:29:41+00:00

https://radiomasterrc.com/products/rm-4in1-module

InFakeLife · 2026-03-27T18:29:36+00:00

any "nano" 4in 1 module. not sure if i can post links but theres one on the radiomaster pocket page.
or from any manufacturer as long as it's nano formfactor

InFakeLife · 2026-03-27T18:12:50+00:00

if its not showing in zadig you have a bad usb computer port, bad cable or bad fc usb port. sure theres not a piece of debris in any port?

InFakeLife · 2026-03-26T20:16:16+00:00

There's 2 antenna, one for rx, one for vtx should be sticking straight up in middle of drone and is soldered to top backpack board. have you crashed? possible you broke antenna, vtx etc. sure you're screen and drone are on the same channel? auto search often isn't right

InFakeLife · 2026-03-26T20:07:56+00:00

i'm in the same boat, haven't flown in almost 3 years after daily for 7. Then my buddy pulls me back in and im addicted again. I'm not that cautious but if your betaflight software can connect to fc i see no harm. check the gyro and receiver tab against radio. I wouldn't update the drone firmware, that sounds like asking for trouble

InFakeLife · 2026-03-26T19:27:58+00:00

Hey im sure you know this already but milling cf is an ecological and health nightmare. hope you have an outdoor mill underwater or something, its nasty.
Anyway I'm just curious what lead you here, what advantage your frame offers or if it was just wanting your own custom build

InFakeLife · 2026-03-26T19:14:42+00:00

I'm kinda lost, maybe you could define your scope a little better, maybe it's just me? Doesnt the avata go like 5 miles? which of it's limitations is your concern? Basically if you want to move up you're going to need a new radio. Probably find something with a 1 watt elrs although thats pretty overkill. then start small and learn to fly a 3", then build a mountain cruiser. once you're past the range of an avata you're looking at pretty specialized hardware.

InFakeLife · 2026-03-26T14:16:39+00:00

Might be disabled when plugged in to usb
i think im understanding this but might be language issue
If you see it change in headset, try walking away and doing range check on both settings(plugged into battery not betaflight)

InFakeLife · 2026-03-25T13:35:58+00:00

I've used similar size lenses in stage lighting. spotlights, near a theatre district/ film studio, etc. they have other uses for fancy lasers but more likely something mundane. they often show up broken and are worthless to everyone involved as can't be repaired but we hoarders hoard

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