NEWBIE to forum with newbie questions!

ameggs

Good Afternoon!
I have a pretty simple questions.

Do I have to use the TTL to Ethernet converter to make this work? Can I connect the Raspi 3 to the APM with a USB cable?
How do I connect to UAVcast? Im testing on my home network first, but do i need to port forward within my network to make this work?
Thanks for the help!

Chuckster1

Hi Andy and welcome to UAVMatrix!
You cannot connect your RPI3 directly to the APM with a USB cable. The preferred method is using TTL converter. This converter will pass information from the flight controller to your rpi, so your rpi can relay it to your ground station. UAVcast has to be added to your rpi image on your micro sd card inside your rpi. Then you have to fill in some network information into the uavcast framework. You will run uavcast and it will tell your rpi what to do. Port forwarding is not necessary when both rpi and ground station are on your home network.

ameggs

Thanks for the reply! I have UAVCast install on the RPI3, I have a Verizon LG VL600 USB internet adapter, but making this work will be WAAAAAAAAAYYYYYY out of my scope of work involving linux, as I suck at it. So the only other way for me to get a "cellular" experience is to attach my cellphone with Hotspot turned on. Do you have any other suggestions?

Chuckster1

Ya, go 4 it! You don't really need to know a ton of Linux. We'll help you every step of the way, it's worth it! Do you have any RC aircraft right now?

ameggs

Yes I have a F450 Drone running an APM currently , and just ordered a Delta wing, I'm hoping to get up and running with UAVcast also and make more of a long range setup with. Im also looking into building a Rover project as well. So where do I start getting the USB LTE dongle working with the Raspi3?

image 845944944586871d021917620087404.jpeg

Sinamics

So where do I start getting the USB LTE dongle working with the Raspi3?

Hi Andy
Just install UAVcast and configure the droneConfig.cfg file to match your requirements.

ameggs

Thanks that was the first thing I did unfortunately, it did not connect to my cellular network. Im assuming not all USB dongles are compatible with the raspi3.

rma153

What USB dongle are you using, and what service provider

ameggs

Hey Rob thanks for the help. Its a Verizon wireless LG VL600 .

rma153

What displays when you run UAVcast? What is in your drone config file.
I can help easily if you can use Sprint. My set up is with Sprint using Netgear 341U Aircards I bought off ebay. These USB modems have UNIX drivers available. I used UQMI initially, but the UNIX drivers have eliminated the need for it (they connect, plug and play)

Best yet, Sprint offers Static IP addresses for $3 per month. Luckily, Sprint's download speed is increasing and is good enough now (but still not as good as Verizon).