Bringing remote control model planes / helicopters

WÃ¼stling · Post by **WÃ¼stling** » Mon Jul 26, 2010 8:23 am

Does anyone have experience with bringing RC models to the playa?

I'm planning to bring some flying RC models, battery driven.

I wonder how the playa dust will affect the open motors (brushless outrunners). Are they likely to clog within minutes? Any remedies, e.g. plentyful application of grease, special bearings, etc?

Any others things I should be worried about? (I have read a recent general post about robotics & eletronics experiences, so I'm already taking care of protecting the electronics boards and connectors).

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Mon Jul 26, 2010 8:27 am

I'd do a search. I know I've seen information on line, but I don't know where. One thing I do know, something about radio frequencies. I guess that there's so much going on that you dont' want to "cross wires" and interfere with radios they use for communication.

Post by **AntiM** » Mon Jul 26, 2010 8:59 am

There's a section on the main site about RC freqs, do look it up. I know there's some rules in place, but I've never looked at them closely.

Don't bring anything you can't afford to lose or replace. That's a rule of thumb for all things playabound, so do consider how expensive your toys are.

junglesmacks · Post by **junglesmacks** » Mon Jul 26, 2010 9:02 am

I would think that the unpredictable and strong wind updrafts could smack them into the playa pretty quickly, too.

That, and the general rule like someone said to not bring anything that you don't mind losing..

ygmir · Post by **ygmir** » Mon Jul 26, 2010 9:07 am

early mornings might be good........the wind is USUALLY pretty calm, not so many people out, less radio traffic, etc........
There were guys flying remote controlled surveillance aircraft last year.......they had said at times it was very challenging.

justfred · Post by **justfred** » Mon Jul 26, 2010 9:14 am

Flying near the man or over the city is strongly discouraged.

junglesmacks · Post by **junglesmacks** » Mon Jul 26, 2010 9:17 am

ygmir wrote: There were guys flying remote controlled surveillance aircraft last year...

'Scuze me?

mudpuppy000 · Post by **mudpuppy000** » Mon Jul 26, 2010 9:23 am

junglesmacks wrote:
ygmir wrote: There were guys flying remote controlled surveillance aircraft last year...
'Scuze me?

Predator drones looking for moopers.

Post by **AntiM** » Mon Jul 26, 2010 9:42 am

Fallon is just a few blocks over....

Ugly Dougly · Post by **Ugly Dougly** » Mon Jul 26, 2010 9:46 am

If I can bring bottle rockets....

Game on!

bm_cricket · Post by **bm_cricket** » Mon Jul 26, 2010 10:04 am

Ugly Dougly wrote:If I can bring bottle rockets....

Game on!

/me pulls up a lawn chair.

ygmir · Post by **ygmir** » Mon Jul 26, 2010 10:06 am

junglesmacks wrote:
ygmir wrote: There were guys flying remote controlled surveillance aircraft last year...
'Scuze me?

fact

Token · Post by **Token** » Mon Jul 26, 2010 10:51 am

RC Hobbyists

If you are planning to bring any sort of radio controlled model, vehicle, or art installation to BRC this year, please contact rchobbyist (at) burningman (dot) com with the radio frequency and channel number under which you will be operating. Radio channel conflicts must be avoided to prevent loss of control of an RC project. An out of control model/vehicle/art piece can cause serious damage to people or property, so it is important that RC'ers help us organize regarding radio use. If you have an RC art piece, please inform the Art Team, art (at) burningman (dot) com, or contact a team member at the Artery in Center Camp.

WÃ¼stling · Post by **WÃ¼stling** » Mon Jul 26, 2010 11:19 am

Token wrote:RC Hobbyists

If you are planning to bring any sort of radio controlled model, vehicle, or art installation to BRC this year, please contact rchobbyist (at) burningman (dot) com with the radio frequency and channel number under which you will be operating.

Doesn't really apply if I'm using 2.4 GHz, I suppose.

If you have an RC art piece, please inform the Art Team, art (at) burningman (dot) com, or contact a team member at the Artery in Center Camp.

OK, that might apply for me. Will do, thanks for the note.

bm_cricket · Post by **bm_cricket** » Mon Jul 26, 2010 11:32 am

WÃ¼stling wrote: Doesn't really apply if I'm using 2.4 GHz, I suppose.

You may be surprised. That's probably one of the most saturated ranges for consumer electronics... I don't know much about RC but in the world of computer and network transmission that's the range everyone gripes about. The fact anyone can broadcast without any organization or regulation means unless your equipment has fantastic error mitigation your broadcasts will turn into garbuldeguk.

WÃ¼stling · Post by **WÃ¼stling** » Mon Jul 26, 2010 11:45 am

bm_cricket wrote:
WÃ¼stling wrote: Doesn't really apply if I'm using 2.4 GHz, I suppose.
You may be surprised. That's probably one of the most saturated ranges for consumer electronics...

Yeah, I know...

When I said "not apply", I meant that the registry of freqs does not apply for me as they freqs in the 2.4G band are automatically chosen, contrary to those in the lower MHz bands where one has to choose an unused freq manually.

Also, I'll be operating mostly in the open playa where I just hope not to have too much interference.

WÃ¼stling · Post by **WÃ¼stling** » Mon Jul 26, 2010 11:52 am

@Token: [email protected] is not a valid address, it appears. "artery" not working, either.

Meh.

Then I won't tell 'em. Why bother.

Token · Post by **Token** » Mon Jul 26, 2010 12:31 pm

Use rchobbyist. That is the one that applies to you.

Stitch · Post by **Stitch** » Mon Jul 26, 2010 1:58 pm

Talk to Breck. He's a burner from NYC and all about making his own planes and getting people together to fly em. I know he's bringing some out this year. I can pm his contact info.

Also try camp Airship Victoria Aerodrome:
http://earth.burningman.com/brc/2010/themecamp/2499/

teardropper · Post by **teardropper** » Mon Jul 26, 2010 4:08 pm

There was a RC plane model on the playa a couple of weeks ago, lit up with LED's flying at dusk and night. Very cool. Must have been batteries because I couldn't hear it. The playa we were on, however, was very hard and undisturbed. Not like BRC. The dust. Don't know how it would affect it in BRC. But I sure enjoyed seeing it fly.

peachandpapa · Post by **peachandpapa** » Tue Jul 27, 2010 1:16 pm

Personally, model airplanes and gas powered scootters are both a noise nuisance on the Playa...

Ugly Dougly · Post by **Ugly Dougly** » Tue Jul 27, 2010 1:24 pm

Personally, add it to the technoonz and generator noise.

teardropper · Post by **teardropper** » Tue Jul 27, 2010 7:30 pm

In his defense, he's talking about battery powered models. You can't hear them, you just see them, and if they fly at night they are pretty...

Captain Goddammit · Post by **Captain Goddammit** » Wed Jul 28, 2010 6:35 am

peachandpapa wrote:Personally, model airplanes and gas powered scootters are both a noise nuisance on the Playa...

Yes, exactly! I go to Burning Man to get absolute silence!

junglesmacks · Post by **junglesmacks** » Wed Jul 28, 2010 10:32 am

ygmir wrote:
junglesmacks wrote:
ygmir wrote: There were guys flying remote controlled surveillance aircraft last year...
'Scuze me?
fact

Please.. share. Seriously.. I'd love to hear this..