Video downlink

[Jack of All]

I am looking into a (low tech) live video downlink that I can stream from a C172. There seem to be plenty of systems available for radio controlled platforms, but I need something with a bit more range (30 to 50km), and be totally removable from the aircraft without too much effort.

Any suggestions?

[Skeeve]

Have you already applied for/been assigned a frequency to use by your local regulatory body?
Thats what basically limits your search for a suitable telemetry suite (frequency, transmitter power and area).

[ground_star]

You've fallen on your feet in that I'm the resident PPRUNE Broadcast engineer & I just happen to have previously worked for the company who did all of the travel news 'eye in the sky' style in the UK some years back.

Firstly, licensing & bandwidth are an issue as others have said, but they can be overcome with money. The distance however is somewhat more of a problem.

The pro systems (Loadsa Money!) are called COFDM systems, which stands for coded orthogonal frequency division multiplexing. Boring subject not for this site. Anyway, I can certainly help get you in touch with the right people for fitting such a system for you if money is not an issue.

If however you're on a budget you may consider using data links, high power, licence free - this is far from reliable & may be a bloody nightmare to use. I'm pretty sure there will be some legalese to stop these being used aloft too. They'd do the distance given height & LoS..

Shorter range there is some Teradek stuff which you could make use of.

Aside from that perhaps Teradek Cube & Bolt combined with multiple 3G/4G dongles could work given a low enough altitude & steady groundspeed.

Fitting well provided it's signed off by your spanners man (& done by him I'd suggest) then I see few issues there

Anyway, if you need a hand with any of this, drop me a PM - I'm sure we can strike a balance between forum help & anything commercial you have in mind.

[Comms Boy]

2nd what Skeeve says +
Most if not all video links will be in the microwave band, i.e greater than a Ghz.
The range will be dependant on the frequency and power used. You are unlikely to get more than a few Kilometres with existing (cost effective) equipment. You will also have to use directional antennas to maximise reception. The receive ground station will also have to have line of site coverage to the aircraft.
All possible (the police routinely do it) but theres no cheap way of doing it.

[9 lives]

Fitting well provided it's signed off by your spanners man (& done by him I'd suggest) then I see few issues there


Pause and take a breath there... If the installation requires the spanner man to sign it out (or, into the plane), he'll probably be looking for an approval of an STC nature. Do not assume that to be insignificant.

There are requirements for function, electrical load, interference with aircraft systems and security in the cabin, for which a finding of design compliance may need to be made by a competent authority.

Have a talk to spanner man first with your plans, before you spend money. If the plane does not belong to you, include the owner in your talk with spanner man.

[phiggsbroadband]

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Hi, if you ever get the equipment up and running, remember that the receive aerial should be as high as possible, for best range.
This is where a 1000ft hill beats a 100ft aerial mast (in a valley.) every time.


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[Jack of All]

Thanks, guys for the replies. Licencing and frequency issues are being looked at presently.

Ground star, will send you an email shortly.

Ta Muchly!