Like most everyone I have done some repairs to my airplanes. But here is something a little different. It’s flying related but not an airplane. In a prior life I had a video business where I would record various events and provide DVD’s and/or downloads. For this purpose I purchased a Servocity Pan and Tilt device (picture below). I would mount my video camera on it and using a hand held wired remote I could move the camera both left to right and up and down. – George Sullivan
Taking video of RC aircraft is a pain in the …. I always hoped I could use this device but aiming it was a problem. So the project I have is in 2 phases. The first phase is to convert the controls from the hand held wired controller to a wireless receiver and my Spektrum transmitter. This was surprisingly easier than I expected. I now have a 4 channel receiver mounted on the device and can control the pan and tilt motions using the right stick of my Spektrum transmitter. I will output the video from the camera to either a small monitor or perhaps a pair of goggles. Here is a short video showing the Pan and Tilt mechanism controlled by the Spektrum transmitter. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpZS2jtaciw )
The second phase is to solve the problem with aiming the camera. My plan is to put a “headtracker” on the output display (monitor or goggles) and input that into my Spektrum transmitter. So at least in theory the camera should point where I’m looking.
The first phase is completed . Phase 2 is waiting on the delivery of the electronics for the headtracker. I hope to get the electronics by 4/15. If all goes well, an update for next months newsletter.
