Upcoming ham radio cross-band radio on a drone project

[htperry]

In the near future three of us radio operators in the CLT area are starting a project where we strap a Wouxun KG-UV8D cross-banding HT to a drone. Our goal will be testing at various altitudes, up to 400 feet (higher with FAA approval). We will test HT to drone to HT Simplex, HT to drone to base station Simplex and HT to drone to repeaters. The goal will be to methodically compile data on working distances and developed techniques.

We will be using a DJI Phantom 3 Standard, DJI Phantom 3 Professional and DJI Inspire 1 from a single base location for all tests. Altitudes will likely be at 100, 200, 300 and 400 feet.






This project will span some time. I will use this thread to give progress reports, if anyone is interested. Questions and comments are welcome.

 

[htperry]

If you are a ham radio operator and UAV owner, consider joining the Carolina's Amateur Radio UAV Club group on Facebook. If in the CLT area, look for us discussing this project on 147.505 MHz Simplex some evenings after 9:30 PM.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/CARUAV/

 

[georgel]

While an interesting project, my question would be, what is the end goal? Are you just testing to get aroundgeophysical interference or tempoary emergency communications? What's the hover time of those drones? What's the testing methodology? Are you going to compare against existing ground based stations? Are you going to try different antrnnas, such as a slim+jim

 

[htperry]

While an interesting project, my question would be, what is the end goal? Are you just testing to get aroundgeophysical interference or tempoary emergency communications? What's the hover time of those drones? What's the testing methodology? Are you going to compare against existing ground based stations? Are you going to try different antrnnas, such as a slim+jim

No end goal. Just something interesting in ham radio to do, like activating summits, national parks or lighthouses. It is a way to get an inexpensive cross-band radio to a height otherwise unobtainable to us. The hover time is 15-20 minutes. Plan our contacts at given distances and attempt to contact. Record the results. The results will be anecdotally compared to the vast amount of experience many of us have with Simplex 2M base and mobile. No extensive antenna testing, because the lifting weight is limited.

 

[CWS]

Very interesting!! If I can help, let me know. If schedules work out, I will be glad to help.