BajaNomad - Anyone own a drone?

Anyone own a drone?

JZ - 12-13-2015 at 11:31 PM

Thinking about picking one up for some aerial videos / pics.

chavycha - 12-14-2015 at 10:59 AM

Yup. I work in the UAS/drone industry as well.

This book is a great reference for beginners - I just got a copy a few days ago and have already lent it out to a couple people.

http://www.amazon.com/Aerial-Photography-Videography-Using-D...

rts551 - 12-14-2015 at 11:02 AM

And if you have it in the USA it must be registered

https://www.faa.gov/uas/registration/

bajaguy - 12-14-2015 at 11:03 AM

Looks like if you operate it in the US, you will need to register with the FAA

chavycha - 12-14-2015 at 11:14 AM

Yep, you guys are on top of it (rule was released just this AM).

Looks like there may be some issues for non-US citizens. Process doesn't allow for non-citizens to register, but registration is required to legally operate. Hmm.

bajaguy - 12-14-2015 at 11:16 AM

Quote: Originally posted by chavycha

Yep, you guys are on top of it (rule was released just this AM).

Looks like there may be some issues for non-US citizens. Process doesn't allow for non-citizens to register, but registration is required to legally operate. Hmm.

My take on the regs so far is that non-citizens cannot register with the FAA, thus they are prohibited from operating equipment in the US

chavycha - 12-14-2015 at 11:24 AM

That's how our guys who are well-versed in FAA-speak are reading it as well.

JZ - 12-14-2015 at 11:25 AM

This looks like the best one out. Pretty bad ass. Think about the videos you could take in Baja when out riding a bike or on a boat.

[Edited on 12-14-2015 by JZ]

mtgoat666 - 12-14-2015 at 11:27 AM

Quote: Originally posted by JZ

Thinking about picking one up for some aerial videos / pics.

I dont own a drone. My expertise is from being near them in urban and wilderness settings. My expert opinion is that they are noisy and annoying, and the people that fly them are techno weenie wankers that are lemmings that buy all the latest shiny baubles, especially if the baubles have buttons and make noise.

Its a fad. The techno weenies all want to buy one. Mostly bought by nosy peeping tom types.

[Edited on 12-14-2015 by mtgoat666]

bajaguy - 12-14-2015 at 11:32 AM

Quote: Originally posted by chavycha

That's how our guys who are well-versed in FAA-speak are reading it as well.

What is your interpretation of UAV markings/registration number(s)??

chavycha - 12-14-2015 at 11:34 AM

The DJI Phantom 3 series, including the Phantom 3 Pro posted above, are certainly popular. They range from $700-$1300. I have the Standard.

The 3DR Solo also gets great reviews.

Anything smaller than those and you'll have trouble flying outdoors except on the calmest of days.

That said, I would strongly encourage you to get a $30-60 'trainer' and spend some quality time flying that inside before stepping up to a more expensive platform. You will crash a lot when you're learning. The $30 ones bounce. The $3000 ones shatter.

chavycha - 12-14-2015 at 11:36 AM

http://www.faa.gov/uas/registration/faqs/

Q. Will my drone require an N-number or sticker?

A. No. You will receive a unique registration number, not an N-number, and you must mark the registration number on your UAS by some means that is legible and allows the number to be readily seen. The registration number may be placed in a battery compartment as long as it can be accessed without the use of tools.

Non Citizens

bajaguy - 12-14-2015 at 11:37 AM

From the FAA FAQ site: https://www.faa.gov/uas/registration/faqs/#mou

Q. I am a citizen of a foreign country who lives in the United States. How do I know if I can register a drone with the FAA?

A. Federal law allows an individual citizen of another country who has been lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States under the regulations of the Department of Homeland Security to register an aircraft, including a drone, with the FAA.

JZ - 12-14-2015 at 11:37 AM

Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666

You sound grumpy af. Probably thought the internet was a fad.

[Edited on 12-14-2015 by JZ]

MulegeAL - 12-14-2015 at 11:38 AM

Don't own one, but if I did...

https://www.lily.camera/

Several other waterproof drones out there now.
Also, US Navy is developing drones that swim and fly.

[Edited on 12-14-2015 by MulegeAL]

chavycha - 12-14-2015 at 11:38 AM

Note that these requirements apply only to hobby/recreational users. Commercial / public agency users will still have to use the old paper-form N-number system.

chavycha - 12-14-2015 at 11:40 AM

Lily is a neat idea, but that follow-me tech is also in place on the 3dr and Phantoms I mentioned above. Gonna be awhile til you see a Lily in your mailbox, too:

When will the Lily Camera ship?

For those who ordered by June 15th, the Lily Camera will begin shipping in February 2016. Orders placed between June 15th-October 15th will begin shipping in May 2016. All orders placed after October 15th will begin shipping in August 2016.

JZ - 12-14-2015 at 11:41 AM

Lots of cool videos possibilities.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCw2OLJIQQ4

Bob and Susan - 12-14-2015 at 12:45 PM

my neighbor got one...we played a little
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPHROVeSZsM

I think the camera is a BIG deal...this one has a go pro

then you need to learn how to make a movie and up load it

make sure you get a "viewer" with the drone so you can see what you are filming and where you are flying

what a great tool

BigBearRider - 12-14-2015 at 12:55 PM

Quote: Originally posted by chavycha

Lily is a neat idea, but that follow-me tech is also in place on the 3dr and Phantoms I mentioned above. Gonna be awhile til you see a Lily in your mailbox, too:

When will the Lily Camera ship?

For those who ordered by June 15th, the Lily Camera will begin shipping in February 2016. Orders placed between June 15th-October 15th will begin shipping in May 2016. All orders placed after October 15th will begin shipping in August 2016.

The follow-me tech is really cool. I want one!

StuckSucks - 12-14-2015 at 01:22 PM

Getting a Drone for Xmas? You’ll Have to Tell the Feds

AKgringo - 12-14-2015 at 01:57 PM

If common sense was more common, regulations would not be necessary, but I agree that risk to the public warrants action. Having said that, operating a small drone on my property below tree top height should not be subject to prosecution by the Feds!

I did not see what the penalty was for operating an unregistered drone. It does not appear that just possessing an unregistered drone is a violation...yet. Maybe that comes in phase two!

StuckSucks - 12-14-2015 at 02:26 PM

Quote: Originally posted by AKgringo

I did not see what the penalty was for operating an unregistered drone. It does not appear that just possessing an unregistered drone is a violation...yet. Maybe that comes in phase two!

Failure to register an aircraft could result in civil penalties up to $27,500 or criminal penalties of up to $250,000.

bajaguy - 12-14-2015 at 02:33 PM

Here is a nice starter that you can't get into too much trouble (crashes) with: http://www.xheli.com/28h-h1306-skymatrix-red.html

CaboSur - 12-14-2015 at 02:58 PM

As mentioned earlier, you certainly also need to buy an inexpensive mini drone for practice. I recently built from scratch a FPV (first person view) racing drone which has a steep learning curve.

After several crashes and repairs I purchased a Q-BOT mini quad for $40.00 (Ebay) which has

survived multiple crashes with my fumble fingers. Gee, to be young and have many hours

playing games with an X-Box would be a great asset!! Hopefully some day i will be brave enough to strap a GoPro on it.

FPV Racing Drone

Q-BOT Micro Drone

rts551 - 12-14-2015 at 03:08 PM

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/11/business/risk-to-aircraft-...

BajaGeoff - 12-14-2015 at 04:59 PM

I've had a blast flying my Phantom II with the FPV setup and have been able to shoot some pretty nice video from the air at events down in Baja. It adds a pretty cool perspective!

Drones Made Easy here in San Diego has some great packages and they also do repair work if you crash your bird. They are also Baja lovers...Will from Drones Made Easy took this beautiful shot of Campo Lopez earlier this year...

mtgoat666 - 12-14-2015 at 05:11 PM

Its all fun and games. Till someone gets hurt.

It is only a matter of time until a drone, operated by a teen or drunk male adult, gets sucked into a jet engine of a passenger jet. Really, toys like this are temptations for teens and many adults to break rules or otherwise throw common sense out the window.

The most annoying use of a drone I have experienced: going to an outdoor music event and having it disrupted by some yahoo flying his drone over the crowd to video the event and disrupt the 100s in the audience with an aerial lawn mower engine,... We in the audience really wanted to bring the thing down with wine bottles and other projectiles, but there were just too many people around and too high a risk of collateral damage. Next time, though, I look forward to shooting one down when safe to do so. It seems this thread may go well with some of those threads where people ask if it's legal to have pellet or bb guns in Baja... Ha, ha!

wessongroup - 12-14-2015 at 05:44 PM

Think the reg's are necessary ... as not everyone appears to know right from wrong

I'm hoping they increase in business ... as they could cut air emissions as it relates to "transportation" in our country and others

I looking for pizza delivery, Chinese food, Amazon et al ..

Nice units and really nice vid from the Phantom .. they are very nice

If everyone could do the right thing ... we wouldn't need Laws and regulations along with enforcement and/or jails ... how's that working out :biggrin:

Say is his is taking pro-oil a bit too far … or could this be viewed as decreasing “air emissions”

Yeah, apparently I’ve got a strange sense of humor … so what ..

Back to drones ... WOW have prices gone up

[Edited on 12-15-2015 by wessongroup]

[Edited on 12-15-2015 by wessongroup]

JZ - 12-14-2015 at 06:56 PM

Quote: Originally posted by BajaGeoff

I've had a blast flying my Phantom II with the FPV setup and have been able to shoot some pretty nice video from the air at events down in Baja. It adds a pretty cool perspective!

Drones Made Easy here in San Diego has some great packages and they also do repair work if you crash your bird. They are also Baja lovers...Will from Drones Made Easy took this beautiful shot of Campo Lopez earlier this year...

Very nice.

JZ - 12-15-2015 at 10:33 PM

Quote: Originally posted by CaboSur

As mentioned earlier, you certainly also need to buy an inexpensive mini drone for practice.

You really think that is still true with the newer ones like the Phantom 3?

[Edited on 12-16-2015 by JZ]

BajaGeoff - 12-16-2015 at 10:21 AM

Get a trainer for sure.

I had a little $70 mini drone that I flew around the house for practice. It really helps get you to the point where you don't have to think about what your hands are doing in relation to what the drone is doing. The last thing you want to do is put a Phantom 3 in the air and crash it because of lack of flying experience.

Plus the mini drones are pretty darn fun and hold up well when they crash. Get all of your oopsies out of the way with a little guy until you have the confidence to put the big bird up.

JZ - 12-16-2015 at 03:02 PM

Quote: Originally posted by BajaGeoff

Get a trainer for sure.

I had a little $70 mini drone that I flew around the house for practice. It really helps get you to the point where you don't have to think about what your hands are doing in relation to what the drone is doing. The last thing you want to do is put a Phantom 3 in the air and crash it because of lack of flying experience.

Plus the mini drones are pretty darn fun and hold up well when they crash. Get all of your oopsies out of the way with a little guy until you have the confidence to put the big bird up.

Got it.

AKgringo - 12-16-2015 at 03:36 PM

What sort of liability insurance should a drone pilot have to cover potential injury or damage to property caused by their drone operation?

chavycha - 12-18-2015 at 10:09 AM

You can certainly fly one right out of the box, as they have several automated modes. However, what happens when the automated mode doesn't work quite right or something gets in the way? You'll have to control it manually.

And if you don't know how to do that effectively, you've just made a $700+ pile of plastic bits.

Quote: Originally posted by JZ

Quote: Originally posted by CaboSur

As mentioned earlier, you certainly also need to buy an inexpensive mini drone for practice.

You really think that is still true with the newer ones like the Phantom 3?

[Edited on 12-16-2015 by JZ]

gringorio - 2-14-2016 at 09:03 PM

After years of flying R/C sailplanes, electric, slope and thermal I finally 'went drone' in 2013. I did take some aerial video with a Phantom 2 'drone' in BLA in March of 2013, but that video is nothing like what is available over-the-counter today.

As of today, February 14th 2016, I have been flying and am really impressed with the DJI Phantom 3 Pro - longer range and higher quality video. Range is over 1 mile, *real* flight time is about 18 minutes and you can record up to 4k video, though I keep it at 1080p: Phantom 3 Aerial

So many possibilities with this set up in Baja, CA. Sea Shepherd is even using the P3 technology in the fight to protect the vaquita:

Sea Shepard Vaquita

Gringorio

Howard - 2-14-2016 at 09:37 PM

Here is a picture from his drone a friend took in Gringo Gulch, Loreto. My place is somewhere down there.

4x4abc - 2-15-2016 at 08:50 AM

Drone? Crashes? FAA? Insurance?

Get a pelican!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwI9omOWH9k

gringorio - 2-15-2016 at 06:27 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Howard

Here is a picture from his drone a friend took in Gringo Gulch, Loreto. My place is somewhere down there.

That is a great photo!

gringorio - 2-15-2016 at 06:30 PM

Quote: Originally posted by 4x4abc

Drone? Crashes? FAA? Insurance?

Get a pelican!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwI9omOWH9k

Haha! I doubt that pelican registered with the FAA, but I'm guessing it didn't have to since it probably doesn't live in the USA.

CortezBlue - 2-15-2016 at 07:10 PM

Yep
But I can't tell you where it is. Bought it, charged it. Read the directions, turned it on and walked away.
It shot straight into the air and disappeared into the sky.
Never saw it again.

BajaBlanca - 2-15-2016 at 07:27 PM

will someone with one of those pretty please come to la bocana and give me an aerial photo?

really beautiful shots!

I can imagine how annoying at a concert, though. no bueno.

gringorio - 2-15-2016 at 07:42 PM

Quote: Originally posted by BajaBlanca

will someone with one of those pretty please come to la bocana and give me an aerial photo?

really beautiful shots!

I can imagine how annoying at a concert, though. no bueno.

With respect and permission there are amazing photos and videos these quadcopters can capture. Next time I'm in the area I would be happy to capture a photo or video for you...

gringorio - 2-15-2016 at 07:44 PM

Quote: Originally posted by CortezBlue

Yep
But I can't tell you where it is. Bought it, charged it. Read the directions, turned it on and walked away.
It shot straight into the air and disappeared into the sky.
Never saw it again.

Likely a firmware problem. Sorry yo lost it...

rocmoc - 2-18-2016 at 05:24 PM

Not a fan but would like to use one for target practice if flown over my property.

rocmoc n AZ/Mexico

gringorio - 2-18-2016 at 07:31 PM

Haha! You could help the FAA and Supreme Court finally decide what airspace from 0 to 400 feet over private property is public or not if you're in the U.S.

There is an on-going case here in the U.S. about this issue:

http://petapixel.com/2015/06/29/man-wins-lawsuit-against-neighbor-who-shot-down-drone-with-shotgun/

In Mexico, you're not supposed to have a gun are you? ;0)

Seriously though, I'd also be annoyed if someone kept flying over my property at low altitudes....

Downing Drones ?

MrBillM - 2-18-2016 at 08:24 PM

Firing a Shotgun obviously invites all sorts of difficulties even in relatively rural locales. In the city, BIG trouble.

Knowing nothing about the Drones other than I'd be tempted to destroy one that invaded my property.........................Has there been any research and/or experimentation with "confusing" the radio-frequencies used ?

Admittedly, were it feasible (or even possible), the consequences could be problematic with its subsequent flight path being unpredictable so it would be important that any attempt not be easily traceable.

Still, it would be COOL to take one (or more) down given the chance.

The one time that I've personally seen someone fly one was last Fall while at Silent Valley Campground.

Short Flight. The Park Rangers were there within Ten Minutes in response to someone (not me) calling it in.

4x4abc - 2-18-2016 at 09:42 PM

take one down and find out that is was run by the Sheriffs department, or some other agency with power. You might join the Bundy's in their new home for a while

Udo - 2-19-2016 at 12:11 PM

Wouldn't an RF signal jammer disable the user's flight direction instructions to the drone?

It could land anywhere and be lost forever!

A cursory Search Indicates....................

MrBillM - 2-19-2016 at 12:46 PM

That the task is relatively cheap and/or inexpensive depending on the approach.

Most of the "commercially-available" and "hobby-built" products (unfortunately ?) utilize a Blanket distribution of RF which would (obviously) affect EVERYTHING vulnerable in the area.

I have seen a few utilizing a "focused" beam concept, but Quien Sabe whether they're effective.

There is also the RF DANGER to the careless user from many applications.

Years ago, I had the "Bright" idea that I'd like to be able to drive around on the beach at Percebu while listening to my XM on a portable FM radio.

After trying out those $29.99 "Legal" transmitter units with lousy results, I bought an "illegal" (wattage) FM Transmitter kit (which contained numerous warnings regarding the RF danger), assembled it, matched it to a omni-directional antenna at the house and..................it worked GREAT. For MILES.

Unlike the U.S., I didn't think that there was too much chance that the Mex version of the FCC would be out DF-ing.

The same theory that I successfully employed for years using 5-watt Marine radios out in the desert.

Nobody listening so nobody looking for you.

A final point on the JAMMERS is the (not so) minor point THAT........................They are ALL Illegal as Hell.

Under FEDERAL law.

To USE, obviously, but also (it is said) to even possess.

However, there ARE vendors offshore who will drop-ship into the U.S.

Check it out with a search. That will turn up a myriad of vendors, instructions, etc, etc.

IF you decide to Play, the only question (other than that Time in the Slammer possibility) is...............What's it Worth ?

"Build your own" fairly cheap for those with the knack.

"Off the shelf" in the HUNDREDS of Dollars.

Caveat Emptor.

[Edited on 2-19-2016 by MrBillM]