Never been to a drone race? Plan on coming into one? You’re in the best place. Here are 5 tips on going to a drone race. Whether you’re a first-timer or seasoned racer, these will all apply.
Continuing the concentrate on racing this week, right now we’re speaking about some things you want to learn about if you’re just getting into all of it. These got here to mind while I was at the race event last weekend. Race occasions are organized in a different way depending on the place you’re from so a few of these things might sound trivial or not apply to races somewhere else, however some will be universal. I’ve received a quantity of extra suggestions in thoughts that apply to the intermediate racer, however we’ll speak about those subsequent time.
If you’d prefer to learn up about that race and see what it looked like firsthand, you can do that here. Without additional ado:
1. Use a good, clear VTX setup
Don’t use low-cost VTXs if you want to race. This is an important one for novices – to the extent that the majority races put a requirement on it. The downside with a budget ones is that they spray everywhere in the frequency band and mess up different racers video feeds. Avoid those with big SMA connectors protruding the again, and the ones that don’t assist Smartaudio or Tramp. For a racing quad you need to keep away from SMA antennas altogether and use their smaller MMCX and even better U.FL versions.
* What I recommend is the $30 and up vary just like the TBS Unify Pro HV 5G8 – Race paired with a TBS Triumph Pro U.FL. Need something smaller? There’s the TBS Unify Pro 5G8 V3 (SMA), implying that you simply substitute the U.FL to SMA pigtail with a U.FL antenna. What’s nice concerning the TBS ones is that they work well if you’re utilizing Crossfire or Tracer. This saves you plenty of complications in terms of establishing Smartaudio. You just solder the VTX Smartaudio wire on to the Nano RX of your selection. And then you’ll be able to change your VTX settings in your radio utilizing TBS Agent Lite or with the screen on the again of the Crossfire LITE module if that’s the one you happen to be using. Or even instantly on your goggles if you’re utilizing a TBS Fusion receiver module.
* If you’re utilizing ImmersionRC Ghost, a good selection of VTX is the tried and true Tramp Nano. Disclaimer: I haven’t tried Ghost or Tracer, I’ve solely ever flown on Crossfire, so I’m not a one hundred pc certain on the way it works, however Ghost should have a method to change the VTX settings.
But why is Smartaudio/Tramp a must? Because the classic way to change VTX settings is to wire it to the FC, using up a UART port, then having to set it up on the FC (VTX tables? 😱) to be able to go through the wrestle of navigating the OSD in your goggles every time you should change your VTX settings.
2. Prep your quad(s) properly
It’s a good suggestion to bring a minimum of two quads with you to a race. But even when you’ve solely got the one, here’s a guidelines you need to stick to. The first two are checked at the race anyway, so to keep away from wasting time and in area repairs, it’s greatest that you do them at residence.
* Before any quad is allowed to race, it has to go through the failsafe and VTX power degree check. With props off, you arm the quad and switch off the radio. When you do this, the motors should cease spinning.
* Have your VTX energy set to 25mw, and like we mentioned, use a great VTX. If you’ve already obtained a nice one with Smartaudio set up proper, then you must already be at 25mw with props off whenever you show up.
* Don’t convey a recent construct to a race. Make sure you’ve flown it earlier than and also you the way it behaves. No hidden kinks that pop up come race day.
* Don’t over-tune your quads PIDs if you’re not acquainted with how PID tuning works. It may be harmful should you hit a gate or tap the bottom. That gyro enter could mess up the PID loop and have your quad throttle up and effectively lose management, forcing you to disarm. If you do mess with your PIDs, ensure to include some bumps and crashes when you’re tuning it.
* Make positive all your cables and pin connectors are solid. So this doesn’t occur to you.
A failsafe and VTX power level check.three. Bring a chair and the essentials
I mean this quite literally. Essentials embrace: folding tenting chair, extension cable (you by no means know the electrical energy state of affairs until you get to the race), charger, instruments, spare props. Two folding chairs and a foldable desk if you’re a baller. Some chow, some water, and a good attitude! Whatever you forget to bring, likelihood is anyone else brought one, and we’re all friends at a race in spite of everything. Don’t be afraid to ask for no matter it is you’re lacking.
4. Don’t stand too shut
Safety first, don’t neglect this stuff may cause serious damage. It’s good apply to keep an eye fixed on the observe when you’ve received quads flying. Especially later within the race when you’ve the fastest pilots grouped collectively. Just in case one begins crashing out or spinning uncontrolled towards you.
Depending on the observe, until it’s arrange out in a giant open field, there’s usually a fence or a net overlaying the folks area on the occasion. But even then, it’s a good idea to stand nicely again from the net in case the following occurs:
/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/04/Bata-ograda.mp4DVR from the final race I attended.Luckily the netting caught the quad, however it nonetheless tapped the pilot standing closest to the online on the goggles. He was the one flying this explicit quad and he didn’t even flinch. Take care in turns if it’s near the edge of the observe. It’s better to disarm early than to have the quad stumble upon one thing and go out of control and presumably hurt someone. This is also why I instructed check crashing your quads. To make certain they wont throttle up when bumping into something and going uncontrolled.
5. Take it straightforward
Unless you’re in the huge leagues, don’t get too competitive. After all you’re there to have enjoyable. Go sluggish in the practice rounds, watch other people fly the track, figure it out. Don’t get caught up in who gets the fastest lap time and try to beat it. It’s more important to follow consistency than speed. What saves you the most time is doing all the obstacles right on the first cross for all three laps. Rather than having a really fast lap but messing one thing up in the different two, go for three smooth consistent laps. Go gradual at first, find one of the best line that works for you, keep in mind it and just fly that. Over the course of the race you’ll get sooner and quicker at that one line you’re sticking to. Look again in between heats at which obstacles you’re shedding time on and focus on improving those.
Bonus tip: Spread those XT 60s
You take a small screwdriver or one thing and also you spread the pins inside the XT60 connector on your quad. Then you will get away with finishing a race in case your battery slips out of your strap.
I hope you’ve found this text helpful. If there’s one thing I’ve missed or anything you’d wish to ask, feel free to depart a comment bellow.
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