First Time Setup
If ALTA Pro is purchased as a bundle with a transmitter or FPV kit, these will be factory installed and ALTA Pro will be ready to fly out of the box! For customers installing their own receivers or FPV systems, please follow the instructions below. The guide details the first time setup process for ALTA Pro 8.
Radio Installation
Radio Controller Receiver
ALTA Pro requires the installation of a radio control system. S.Bus, S.Bus2, DSM2, and DSMX receiver types are supported. Some ALTA Pro emergency control modes (Return-to-Land and Autoland) may vary depending on the type of radio. Refer to the Flight Controller Modes section of this manual for additional details.
Additionally, ALTA Pro supports radio receiver diversity using S.Bus, S.Bus2, DSM2 and DSMX receivers. This means two receivers may be installed, and the Autopilot flight controller will automatically use the receiver with the best signal quality. Using two receivers requires the radio controller to be bound to both receivers. Refer to the instructions provided with your radio controller to complete the binding process. For Spektrum radios a receiver is required to bind the satellites to a radio controller.
Futaba Radio for ALTA Pro 8
Locate the noted closeout panels used for receiver installation (between booms 2 & 3 and 6 & 7).
2. Remove side closeout panel with radio wires using a 2.0mm hex driver.
3. Plug signal wire into receiver.
4. If using telemetry, plug the telemetry wire located in the closeout between booms 2 & 3 into the primary receiver (refer to the Voltage Telemetry section).
5. Feed receiver antenna into lower antenna tube.
6. Secure receiver using the provided double-sided tape to inside of receiver housing.
7. Reattach closeout panel.
8. Route antenna wires into the two antenna tubes below ALTA Pro chassis.
9. Repeat installation process for dual receivers (if applicable).
Spektrum Radio for ALTA Pro 8
Locate the noted closeout panels used for Spektrum receiver installation (between booms 3 & 4 and 7 & 8).
2. Remove side closeout panel using a 2.0mm hex driver.
3. Feed signal cable through panel grommet.
4. Reattach closeout panel.
5. Plug in receiver/satellite into signal cable.
6. Attach receiver/satellite to exterior using double-sided tape.
7. Repeat steps 1-6 for dual receivers (if applicable).
Voltage Telemetry
ALTA Pro supports battery voltage telemetry on Futaba radios when using a receiver that supports an external voltage sensor, such as the R7008SB. Installing the telemetry wire is easiest when initially installing the receiver. To set up ALTA Pro with voltage telemetry for Futaba radios:
Installing Voltage Telemetry for ALTA Pro 8
Remove the closeout panel between booms 2 and 3 with a 2.0mm hex driver and locate the radio receiver wire bundle.
2. Identify the voltage sense wire and connector in the bundle. It is the small, 2-pin connector attached to a black and red wire pair.
This wire is already connected to an in-line fuse. Soldering a fuse into this wire is not required. |
3. Connect the cable to the voltage sense port on the primary Futaba receiver.
4. Reattach the closeout panel.
First Person View (FPV)
ALTA Pro can power a variety of first person view (FPV) cameras and transmitters, as well as add informational on-screen display (OSD) elements to aid in FPV flying. Using an FPV ground station display can be a useful method of monitoring status, performance, and flight parameters of the ALTA Pro during flight.
Three FPV transmitter cables are included with each ALTA Pro. Each supplied cable has one side with a connector that mates with a cable located in the closeout panel between booms 1 & 2. The other end of each supplied cable has specialty connector(s) to run Immersion RC, Fatshark, BOSCAM, or BOSCAM compact FPV transmitters. For cable identification, refer to the FPV Transmitter installation instructions.
A single camera cable is provided and is configured to run a Ready Made RC camera (model RMRC-700XVN recommended). This cable mates with a pre-installed cable located behind the closeout panel between booms 1 & 8.
Camera and transmitter cables follow this wiring scheme:
Cable Color | Function |
Red | +12 VDC |
Black | Ground |
Yellow | Video signal |
It is the responsibility of the pilot to see and avoid other aircraft, people, or obstacles. Always maintain direct line of sight with ALTA Pro during flight, use visual observers as operations require, and follow local regulations regarding see-and-avoid requirements. |
Do not short the pins of the FPV transmitter connector located on the pre-installed FPV transmitter lead in the ALTA Pro. Doing so could damage the on-screen display circuit. If using a multimeter to check the pins, first connect one of the provided transmitter cables, then take voltage readings from the transmitter cable. |
FPV System Installation
FPV Camera ALTA Pro 8
FPV Camera ALTA Pro 8 Remove the front closeout panel with a 2.0mm hex driver.
2. Locate the FPV camera cable included in the ALTA Pro package.
3. Pass the FPV cable through the closeout panel grommet and connect to the mating FPV camera lead inside ALTA Pro. Connect the other end directly to the camera.
4. Replace front closeout panel.
5. Mount FPV camera on the FPV mount on the front ALTA Pro using the provided hardware.
FPV Transmitter ALTA Pro 8
Mount FPV transmitter on the provided carbon fiber accessory mount plate
Attach accessory mount to boom 2 with M3x6 flathead bolts.
3. Locate the appropriate FPV transmitter cable. The following cables are included:
a. ImmersionRC/Fat Shark (cable with two connectors)
b. BOSCAM/SkyZone (cable with one large connector)
c. Compact BOSCAM (cable with one small connector)
4. Use a pair of dykes to cut the zip tie holding the braided transmitter cable to the corrugated tube on boom 2
5. Pass transmitter cable through the underside of the hinge, connect to the correct FPV transmitter cable, and plug into the FPV transmitter.
6. Zip tie the FPV transmitter lead to the boom 1 cable bundle and the FPV Transmitter mount for strain relief. The boom should be fully folded when the transmitter lead is zip-tied to cable bundle.
FPV On Screen Display Setup
A number of properties and components can be adjusted or added to the FPV On Screen Display (OSD) using QGroundControl. To access these settings go to the the ALTA settings group in the Parameters tab of the Vehicle Setup menu.
Properties
Name | Options | Description |
OSD_ENABLE | Enabled/Disabled | Turns OSD on or off |
OSD_PAL_NTSC | PAL / NTSC | Indicates the FPV video camera format to PX4 |
OSD_UNITS | Metric / Imperial | Changes the displayed units |
OSD_HOR_OS | Min: 1 | Centers the OSD components horizontally |
OSD_VER_OS | Min: 1 | Centers the OSD components vertically |
OSD_LEFT_OS | Min: 1 | Controls the margin to the left of the OSD |
OSD_LOWER_OS | Min: 1 | Controls the margin underneath the OSD |
OSD_RIGHT_OS | Min: 1 | Controls the margin to the right of the OSD |
OSD_UPPER_OS | Min: 1 | Controls the margin above the OSD |
OSD_BAT_ALARM | 3.000 - 4.200 | Sets battery cell levels that trigger an on screen warning |
OSD_MAX_ALTITUDE | Min: 1.000 Default: 121.900 | Creates an on screen warning when exceeding the set max altitude (meters) |
OSD_MAX_CLIMB | Min: 0.000 Default: 3.500 | Creates an on screen warning when exceeding the set max climbing rate (meters per second) |
OSD_MAX_RANGE | Min: 1.000 Default: 1000.000 | Creates an on screen warning when exceeding the set max range (meters) |
OSD_MAX_VELOCITY | Min: 1.000 Default: 20.000 | Creates an on screen warning when exceeding the set max velocity (meters per second) |
OSD_GND_BRIGHT | 0 - 16 | Increases of decreases the brightness of the ground |
OSD_SKY_BRIGHT | 0 - 16 | Increased and decreases the brightness of the sky |
Text Components
The following components are displayed as text items, and can be configured to display as big or small letters, or no letters, effectively turning off the display.
Name | Description |
OSD_SHOW_HEIGHT | Displays the height of ALTA Pro from its starting point in meters or feet |
OSD_SHOW_VARIO | Displays the vertical speed of ALTA Pro in meters per second or feet per minute |
OSD_SHOW_HEADING | Displays the magnetic heading of ALTA Pro and is measured in degrees |
OSD_DISTANCE | Displays the horizontal distance along the ground ALTA Pro is from the initialization position in meters or feet |
OSD_GROUNDSPEED | Displays the ground speed of ALTA Pro in meters per second or knots |
OSD_SHOW_BATTERY | Displays the voltage of the flight battery packs |
OSD_SHOW_TIME | Displays the time of the flight in minutes and seconds |
OSD_SHOW_GPS | Displays the number of GPS satellites in view |
OSD_SHOW_GPSHACC | Displays the horizontal accuracy of the GPS signal in meters or feet |
OSD_SHOW_LATLON | Displays the GPS derived latitude and longitude coordinates of ALTA Pro |
OSD_ROLL_MARKER | Adds indicators to the artificial horizon that indicate changes in roll |
OSD_SHOW_ATT | Adds an attitude indicator on screen |
OSD_SHOW_BATTERY | Adds a battery voltage indicator on screen |
Artificial Horizon Components
The artificial horizon displays pitch and roll information in the center of the FPV display in the form of a horizon line and accompanying elements.
Name | Options | Description |
OSD_ROLL_MARKER | Off-Small-Large | Turns off all artificial horizon components |
OSD_PITCH_SCALE | 1 - 200 | Allows for scaling of the artificial horizon markings to compensate for FPV cameras of different field views |
OSD_PITCH_IN | 1 - 180 | Sets the number of degrees between pitch markings when the artificial horizon ladder is used |
OSD_ROLL_SCALING | 1 - 200 | Allows for scaling of the artificial horizon markings to compensate for FPV cameras of different field views |
Other Components
The following components can be turned on or off. These components do not have adjustable settings.
Name | Description |
OSD_HEADINGARROW | Displays an arrow that points in the direction of north |
OSD_HOMEARROW | Displays an arrow that points in the direction of the initialization point |
OSD_VARIOGFX | Displays a bar on the right of the screen that scales with vertical speed. The bar will increase in length up to indicate a climb, or down to indicate a descent |
OSD_SPEEDGFX | Displays a bar on the left of the screen that scales with the forward/rearward velocity component The bar will extend up to indicate forward velocity, or down to indicate a rearward velocity |
OSD_SIDESLIPGFX | Displays a bar on the bottom of the screen that scales with the side-to-side velocity component The bar will extend left to indicate leftward velocity, or right to indicate rightward velocity |
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