Video transmitter and telemetry box

  • TL100 board by Sky-Spy Co is wrapped in aluminum foil to prevent RF interference on pressure sensors.
  • FM modulator/exciter by Racewood Technology Inc.
  • 2.4 GHz RF power amplifier based on RF2126. I've taken it out of original heat sink enclosure and mounted inside my telemetry box. With 7.0v-10.0 v input voltage range the heat dissipation is not a problem.
  • PT-5041N 5->12 voltage converter, modified for 10V output.
  • Accepts from 5.0 to 9.0V in. Current draw is 1.5 - 2.2 A (depends on voltage)
  • Aluminum enclosure with carbon-fiber plate reinforced walls.
  • Total weight is 150 g.

    CCD camera

  • Panasonic's GP-CX171 CCD camera.
  • 480 lines of TV resolution, 5 lux sensitivity, weight - 21g, power - 5V, f=2.9 mm lens, 65 degree HFV
  • This camera has resolution better than other CCD's that I've tested by at least 100 lines
    View test picture

    CCD camera 2

  • Crystalvision pinhole camera, SHARP chipset
  • 12 V power supply, 0.1 lux sensitivity
  • This camera can not handle direct sunlight and shuts itself off for couple of seconds if illuminated by the sun
  • I am using it as secondary camera that monitors GPS receiver screen during flight

    2.4 GHz receiver

  • 2.4 GHz receiver by Racewood Technology
  • Double Quad antenna, linearly polarized, 14.4 dBi gain. It can be easily made by forming double square (31x31 mm) pattern from copper wire and positioning it 17 mm away from ground plane reflector. I did observed ~15 dB gain with this antenna.

    Head Mounted Display

  • Glasstron PLM-A35 by Sony

    Field box

  • Adapted from Sears 3 drawer tool chest
  • Lower tray hosts 12V battery
  • Sony's Digital-8 TRV-103 camcorder is used for flight recordings