Great setup and overview. The description was helpful in answering a couple configuration related concerns I had with bluetooth setup and Mavlink setup.
If your betaflight setup has gps and can get telem data (gps coordinates and altitude) to your radio via elrs, then it should work. The telemetry will be forwarded by the backpack to the elrs Rx on the tracker. The tracker works independently from the video system, so regardless if it's analog or digital, it does not matter.
Hey! Do you have any tips on doing this with a radiomaster pocket? It shows bluetooth capability, but looks like the only bluetooth is for connecting to PC for using as a joystick - thank you!
The pocket has a backpack, you better use that and put an Elrs Rx on the tracker (running mavlink backpack). But at the moment the fw for the elrs mavlink backpack is still being polished, this will be out soon.
Question: How does the Tracker know its heading? Dual GPS can give an accurate heading, but I only see one GPS. Does it use a Magnetometer? And hope there is no iron around to shift the measured heading?
It knows the heading by comparing the gps coordinates from the aircraft's gps vs the home coordinates from the local gps (the gps installed on the tracker). For other crossbow mini tracker setups that dont use local compass, you need to press the set home button while the plane is still on the ground, it will record the coordinates from the aircraft's gps as the "home coordinates". Once the aircraft flies, the gps coordinates of the aircraft in flight will be compared to the home coordinates. As the aircraft moves around, the tracker can compute the heading. The tracker also has compass (internally or external if the gps module has one) which improves the heading calculations
hi i see elrs has mavlink firmware to flash both rx and tx if you flash and setup will it work to push mavlink to the tracker with two bluetooth devices
In one of my configurations on this tracker, iI used a backpack fw for the rx to run espnow, which runs mavlink. This allows the Rx on the tracker to directly connect to the backpack on the elrs tx on my radio (via WiFi). No need to use Bluetooth modules. I only got Bluetooth modules when I use dragonlink (that also runs mavlink), or on my previous config where I used crsf telemetry mirroring, which is not that good. I don't use the Bluetooth module when I'm using the espnow setup. By the way, when using espnow, only the backpack Rx runs mavlink. The tx on your radio and Rx on the plane runs whatever protocol you want, I'm using CRSF protocol on them, not mavlink.
Kindly wait for the official release of next fw of elrs, docs regarding the configuration will also be provided. Devs are still doing some final touches on it
Receives mavlink telemetry from backpack of the elrs tx module. This gives a smoother tracking as seen on the video rather than using crsf mirroring. Basically the Crossbow Mini will be receiving mavlink data instead of CRSF by using backpack on the TX to send out the data, ELRS running backpack RX mavlink will relay that data to the tracker. But the fw is not yet released. It will come out soon, devs are still doing the final touches. As per our testing, the tracker is not hunting anymore, if you have seen my previous test video where I used ELRS, it works, kinda. It hunts too. but when using Mavlink, it really works much much more stable.
So the crossbow tracker connects to the controller using ESP modules on wifi. So controller sends telemetry data over to esp and the esp compares its own cords with drones cords? In that case, should be simple to make a antenna tracker instead of buying one I think.
@Polkem1 "it should be simple" is relative statement. That would depend on a lot of things 😅 if your aim is to immediately fly using the tracker, off the shelf kind like the crossbow is the way to go. Otherwise, feel free to make one. Don't forget that you will also need to make it interpret CRSF/mavlink/s.port or it will not work
ah that explains it. With CRSF mirroring, the tracker kinda works, it hunts when it drops some packets, making the tracker quite unreliable. I'm not using CRSF here but rather mavlink. You will need to use the backpack of your ELRS tx to relay the mavlink via wifi to an ELRS rx that runs a backpack rx fw (which also uses mavlink). This will allow the Crossbow mini to process mavlink instead of CRSF telemetry. No hunting when using mavlink.
@@windfpv nice man can you please make a short video on how to do this please it will heip not only me but a whole lot of guys that have the same problem with the tracker using CRSF and THANKS for taking the time yo reply to me on this man
What's the point to publish this video? Without at least basic info like specs of transmission power and distance test is nothing but another youtube show off.
It's because you haven't seen the other posts. Anyway, it's tested to 35km out and back on digital fpv, at 1200mW power on vtx. It's using caddxfpv Walksnail system.
I would be totally interested in a build video from start to finish. That is so awesome!
Soon, I might be able to demonstrate how the build goes
I would Love a Build Video...plus the STL's for the 3D printed parts!
Wow... Simply amazing! Well done ! I am sure this is inspires for a lot of FPV pilots . My rispect.
Thank you buddy
Great setup and overview. The description was helpful in answering a couple configuration related concerns I had with bluetooth setup and Mavlink setup.
Glad this helps
Wow that's what i call decent long range gear! 🎉🎉
AWESOME STUFF!
Thanks!
Nice set up !!!! I’ll do the same !!!! Looking very good
Thanks!!
This is such overkill! XD I love it!
Not Overkill for LR flying 😎
LOOK AMAZING BUDDY ❤❤❤
thanks!!!
Hay, can you make a video about the build and setup. Thanks
What specifically do you need?
@@windfpv like a part you use, build tips & trick,... because, there are still very few tutorials on TH-cam.
Anteena tracker work for betaflight.
Ground station for analogue setup instead of Walknail?😊
If your betaflight setup has gps and can get telem data (gps coordinates and altitude) to your radio via elrs, then it should work. The telemetry will be forwarded by the backpack to the elrs Rx on the tracker. The tracker works independently from the video system, so regardless if it's analog or digital, it does not matter.
@@windfpv ok cool, your instragram I'd? For further discussion
Will the use of the ELRS and ELRS backpack functionality eliminate the need for using serial output and a Bluetooth module from a TX16s?
No need to add BT on the radio. The backpack of the elrs tx will directly communicate with the backpack RX that's connected on the tracker.
Excellent! I'd love to learn more about this!
I'll post a detailed guide as soon as the next elrs fw rolls out 💪 don't forget to check out my channel soon
Thank you! I'm subscribed so I'll keep an eye out.
@sarahdaviscc thank you!!
Hey! Do you have any tips on doing this with a radiomaster pocket? It shows bluetooth capability, but looks like the only bluetooth is for connecting to PC for using as a joystick - thank you!
The pocket has a backpack, you better use that and put an Elrs Rx on the tracker (running mavlink backpack). But at the moment the fw for the elrs mavlink backpack is still being polished, this will be out soon.
Good clean job.
Thank you
😮👌🏼🙌🏼
Are there any long range decision??
Question: How does the Tracker know its heading? Dual GPS can give an accurate heading, but I only see one GPS. Does it use a Magnetometer? And hope there is no iron around to shift the measured heading?
It knows the heading by comparing the gps coordinates from the aircraft's gps vs the home coordinates from the local gps (the gps installed on the tracker). For other crossbow mini tracker setups that dont use local compass, you need to press the set home button while the plane is still on the ground, it will record the coordinates from the aircraft's gps as the "home coordinates". Once the aircraft flies, the gps coordinates of the aircraft in flight will be compared to the home coordinates. As the aircraft moves around, the tracker can compute the heading. The tracker also has compass (internally or external if the gps module has one) which improves the heading calculations
hi i see elrs has mavlink firmware to flash both rx and tx if you flash and setup will it work to push mavlink to the tracker with two bluetooth devices
In one of my configurations on this tracker, iI used a backpack fw for the rx to run espnow, which runs mavlink. This allows the Rx on the tracker to directly connect to the backpack on the elrs tx on my radio (via WiFi). No need to use Bluetooth modules. I only got Bluetooth modules when I use dragonlink (that also runs mavlink), or on my previous config where I used crsf telemetry mirroring, which is not that good. I don't use the Bluetooth module when I'm using the espnow setup. By the way, when using espnow, only the backpack Rx runs mavlink. The tx on your radio and Rx on the plane runs whatever protocol you want, I'm using CRSF protocol on them, not mavlink.
@@windfpv where can i get info on how to do that please espnow and mavlink
Kindly wait for the official release of next fw of elrs, docs regarding the configuration will also be provided. Devs are still doing some final touches on it
Niceee, but elrs RX for whatt?
Receives mavlink telemetry from backpack of the elrs tx module. This gives a smoother tracking as seen on the video rather than using crsf mirroring. Basically the Crossbow Mini will be receiving mavlink data instead of CRSF by using backpack on the TX to send out the data, ELRS running backpack RX mavlink will relay that data to the tracker. But the fw is not yet released. It will come out soon, devs are still doing the final touches. As per our testing, the tracker is not hunting anymore, if you have seen my previous test video where I used ELRS, it works, kinda. It hunts too. but when using Mavlink, it really works much much more stable.
@@windfpv that's cool, can you make a video how to set up ELRS like that??. Im in same hardware like you
@@Rafif_musyaffa surely, I will be posting the configuration guide for this one soon, still waiting for elrs devs to finish some of the details
Wow!!
What would be the theoretical maximum range of this setup?
Depends on factors, but the same setup yielded 55km (actual not theoretical) which is really good . Only tried mine personally to 35km out and back.
So the crossbow tracker connects to the controller using ESP modules on wifi. So controller sends telemetry data over to esp and the esp compares its own cords with drones cords? In that case, should be simple to make a antenna tracker instead of buying one I think.
@Polkem1 "it should be simple" is relative statement. That would depend on a lot of things 😅 if your aim is to immediately fly using the tracker, off the shelf kind like the crossbow is the way to go. Otherwise, feel free to make one. Don't forget that you will also need to make it interpret CRSF/mavlink/s.port or it will not work
@@windfpv Well construction should be simple, but I am a bit concerned at interpreting CRSF protocol of telemetry data, such as extracting GPS cords.
Do they only work with ardupilot?
No, this works as long as you can transmit telemetry to the tracker in crsf, mavlink, s port format, regardless if ardu or inav
do you to install something in the drone or plane to track??? the crossbow mini needs something to track?
The tracker fetches the plane altitude, location and heading from the flight controller in the aircraft
@@windfpv ok the You need to connect in the flight controller some hardware ? Could you tell me witch one ?
Depends on what you prefer. You can go with matek, speedybee, pixhawk etc. any fc that supports mavlink telemetry basically
@@windfpv i use elrs to long range ...My drone has GPS..could i use My gps telemetry for the tracker ?
@@siniestrorave yes, if you can see the telemetry data on your radio then most likely you can send it to the tracker.
how did you get the tracker to work so well what firmware are you using please mine keeps drifting all over the place
Are you using crsf mirroring?
@@windfpv yes i am
with two hm-10 and will you belive i use the exact same setup as you antenas/monitor/cables lol
ah that explains it. With CRSF mirroring, the tracker kinda works, it hunts when it drops some packets, making the tracker quite unreliable. I'm not using CRSF here but rather mavlink. You will need to use the backpack of your ELRS tx to relay the mavlink via wifi to an ELRS rx that runs a backpack rx fw (which also uses mavlink). This will allow the Crossbow mini to process mavlink instead of CRSF telemetry. No hunting when using mavlink.
@@windfpv nice man can you please make a short video on how to do this please it will heip not only me but a whole lot of guys that have the same problem with the tracker using CRSF and THANKS for taking the time yo reply to me on this man
@RC-um3dv sure, when the new elrs fw for backpack Rx rolls out, I can make a video on how to set it up. It just takes a few steps.
Check out this guide:
th-cam.com/video/bB0DdgTDpFg/w-d-xo.html
What's the point to publish this video? Without at least basic info like specs of transmission power and distance test is nothing but another youtube show off.
It's because you haven't seen the other posts. Anyway, it's tested to 35km out and back on digital fpv, at 1200mW power on vtx. It's using caddxfpv Walksnail system.
@@windfpv Now is clear. Sorry! I just tired browsing nonsense videos with 0 test and result information. Click bating content has become close to 80%.
@@sugarvenom2189 haha! No worries, that's to totally understandable 😎