Camera installation

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Dave - 04 Jul 2004 01:38 GMT

Has anyone done any research on a good economical autoadvance camera that
can be used in a RC plane? Looking for a lightweight camera to mount to my
PT-40 for recreational use, something that Wal-Mart, K-Mart, or Target may
have? Thanks in advance to those that reply, and have a happy 4th of July
to the USA viewers!

Regards,

Dave

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DANNYSPEED - 04 Jul 2004 11:30 GMT

Hi, I used an inexpensive Kodak Advantix camera on my Tower Trainer .40. Had
some excellent results. I made a bracket that held the camera at an angle of
about 17 degrees downward and mounted to the left side of the fuse. Got some
excellent pic's and some that were blurry due to engine vibration. Just slow
down before taking the pic's. Dan.

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John R. Agnew - 04 Jul 2004 18:05 GMT

> Hi, I used an inexpensive Kodak Advantix camera on my Tower Trainer .40. Had
> some excellent results. I made a bracket that held the camera at an angle of
> about 17 degrees downward and mounted to the left side of the fuse. Got some
> excellent pic's and some that were blurry due to engine vibration. Just slow
> down before taking the pic's. Dan.

I did that with a Paragon glider. I measured the space available and
went to Target. The motor camera that fit was made by Vivitar and cost
$35. That was about four years ago. Got some good pictures, some
not-so-good. Even got one of another glider in the air. There is a
significant element of luck involved.
Doing it with a single-shot camera is a slow process.

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Marlowe - 04 Jul 2004 14:56 GMT

Some of the small digitals can take video too. I have a Concord 4060 AF
that has 4 Megapixels and can take both stills and video (without sound).
Bought it last Xmas at Wal-Mart for under $300. It is small enough to strap
to the outside of a 40 size model. I haven't done it yet, but I have plans
to do so in the future. To make it simple I plan to start the video just
prior to takeoff.

> Has anyone done any research on a good economical autoadvance camera that
> can be used in a RC plane? Looking for a lightweight camera to mount to my
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>
> Dave

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Ken Maltby - 06 Jul 2004 08:13 GMT

> Some of the small digitals can take video too. I have a Concord 4060 AF
> that has 4 Megapixels and can take both stills and video (without sound).
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
> >
> > Dave

I'm new to this NG, so maybe I shouldn't jump right in,
but I picked up a color camera PLA/CCIR NTSC/EIA,
380TVlines, 3LUX min illumination; that has a built in
50mw, 900MHz-1200MHz transmitter. The camera is
smaller than a 9volt battery. It came with a tunable
receiver that runs on 12vDC. It cost less than $50USD.

The only identification I have is "Camera Kit 203CA"
I just Googled on that and they have them for $25USD.

Luck;
Ken

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Fubar of The HillPeople - 06 Jul 2004 08:35 GMT

FWIW, those are illegal to operate in the U.S. The parts of the 900-1200mhz
band that they actually broadcast on are used for aircraft navigation
beacons or somesuch. The one we tested was putting out on 1193mhz,
definitely not legal even for a Ham.
I doubt the black helicopters would land at your field if you were using one
of these but if there were an airport nearby...
Also, those "All-In-One" cam/tx Hong Kong units are junk.

Signature

Dan
AMA605992
KE6ERB
http://www.fubar1.net
"I've heard the screams of the vegetables..."
Take out the "trash" to reply

>
> > Some of the small digitals can take video too. I have a Concord 4060 AF
[quoted text clipped - 32 lines]
> Luck;
> Ken

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Ken Maltby - 06 Jul 2004 09:33 GMT

> FWIW, those are illegal to operate in the U.S. The parts of the 900-1200mhz
> band that they actually broadcast on are used for aircraft navigation
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> of these but if there were an airport nearby...
> Also, those "All-In-One" cam/tx Hong Kong units are junk.

For $25 even junk has it's uses, the one I have looks ok,
pretty good in fact for the resolution. There certainly are
parts of the 900-1200 band that get a lot of consumer use in
the USA. Even cordless phones. I have to admit that I haven't
checked the RF characteristics, don't think I even have anything
that works in that range, right now. ( not even an Oscope)
I hope the airfield about a mile downhill from me won't get
knocked off the air by my 50mw signal.

Luck;
Ken

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Model Forum / Radio Controlled / Air Models / July 2004

Camera installation