DJI Phantom 2 Quadcopter

Expeditioner Tim Wheaton will bring a DJI Phantom 2 Quadcopter to use for observation and filming.

The DJI Phantom 2 is a quadcopter designed to carry a GoPro camera stabilised through three axis to remove vibrations and movements of the multicopter. The camera is stable enough to record video up to a resolution of 4k.

The Phantom has two frequency ranges it communicates on. The remote control uses the 2.4 gHz range to manoeuvre the UAV out to a range of up to 2 kilometres (depending on the terrain) with a flight time of around 20 minutes per battery. By changing the batteries after 20 mins, there is a possible flight time of almost an hour with 3 batteries in total that can be used before charging is required. There is also a video transmitter that broadcasts on the 5.8 gHz range. This is a 600mA transmitter that communicates to a monitor on top of the controls. The video transmitter has a down link direct from the GoPro so live footage of the flight can be seen and images as well as video can be recorded during the flights. It has an on screen display (OSD) that allows flight information such as distance (horizontally and vertically), speed, direction home and battery voltage to be visible throughout flights.

It is also equipped with a GPS that is linked to a main controller on the UAV to maintain stable flight as well as allowing it to return to base if there is a malfunction with the receiver. With an attachment that is taped to the underbelly of the UAV, an iPad can be used to set waypoints and fly without the use of the controller. Height, distance, speed and direction can all be set and by the push of a button, the UAV can take off, fly through a number of waypoints and then return to home and land by itself.