Help: wheat field, remote camera, boat tracking

[Sailingsaves]

I have lost something in a wheat field.
I seek advice on how to find or how to create a new part to replace missing part.

I bought a remote control, slow flying plane. I was going to video friends sailing from interesting angles.

It came with FPV (first person viewing equipment): small 120 degree camera fitted to plane, linked to transmitter, and a screen or 'goggles' for viewer / flyer.

I was test flying over a wheat filed.

camera became lost in filed, only about 10m by 10 metre patch, but after 3 searches and 3 bouts of hayfever I cannot find it (black colour about size of matchbox).

So I tried hacking a few other cameras eg "eye toy" and sj4000 to link to plane and thence to TX

a) Any advice on how to search field?
b) Any advice on how to link a camera to TX? Nothing has worked so far. The TX unit is called Pro X2. Obsolete by www.hicam.com.au
The TX unit gives the camera 3.7Volts and leaves a yellow wire for something.

I hooked up USB eye toy. It appeared to power up een though USB means it needs 5Volts I guess. But touching the remaining green and then white wire to the TX unit's yellow wire did no reveal a picture on the viewing screen.

Any ideas? Because I am kicking myself big time for wasting money by losing item, by not having secured item in first place, not being able to find it and not knowing whether the Pro X2 needs a special camera as opposed to any other type of camera e.g.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HD-700TVL...151?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item43da7fa4af
I know this needs 12V and planeonly has 11.2 V supply.

This camera without the mount is about same size as lost in wheat field - and I cannot locate owner of field, so cannot start with a sickle or scythe.

Thanks for any help with this weird problem
View attachment 51887View attachment 51888

 

[sarabande]

metal detector.

Phone your local club. Beer tokens.

 

[prv]

Could the yellow cable be for simple analogue video? I'm putting two and two together and ending up with about fifteen here, but analogue composite video is often indicated by yellow plugs. There are any number of cheap analogue cameras on ebay, but in the meantime you might test it with a suitable output from a TV or other domestic electronics.

Pete

 

[Sailingsaves]

Many thanks.

 

[Thistle]

Is the camera still transmitting? If so what about looking around the field with a torch at night (or, conversely, an umbrella on a bright day)?

 

[Sailingsaves]

Unfortunately the battery remained in the aeorplane.

Good idea though.

I did go back at night with a torch in the hope the light would reflect off the lens or black plastic.

I have found every stone, squashed beer can (found same one 4 times over) and goose dropping in a 10m by 10m patch, but no blooming camera!

I did fit a gps tracker to the 'plane in case it became lost (1 mile range), but stupidly did not check camera was secure; still kicking myself.

 

[William_H]

When searching for lost things underwater the trick is to figure out the centre point of the likely search area. Plant an anchor or similar in the centre and attach a rope to it.
You then swim around in a circle under water holding the rope such that you complete a circle at a constant radius. Searching of course all the time. When you have completed one circle you extend the rope (grip on the rope) to increase the radius to a degree depending on just how wide a track you can search properly. ie visibility range. Underwater you need a compass or similar to know when you have completed a circle. Easier ina wheat field.
By this method you can be sure you have carefully covered the area starting from the most likely location.
Now a rope may not be so easy unless you attach it to a stake so it is above the wheat. But I would suggest you need some sort of system to search thoroughly for the camera.
And dare I say "good ;uck" to you olewill

 

[nigelmercier]

I am forever dropping small components off my work bench. It never ceases to amaze me how far away they end up from the original drop point, and that is only a metre high.

 

[skyflyer]

I am forever dropping small components off my work bench. It never ceases to amaze me how far away they end up from the original drop point, and that is only a metre high.

Good tip is to wear an apron but tuck the lower end under your workpiece. or a weight or similar so it forms a 'hammock' between the edge of the workbench/table and you to catch any dropped items. No good if you are constantly moving away from the bench but when dismantling or re-assembling something (like a sextant that you've restored!) its an invaluable help!