Copyright © 2010-2014 Eagle Tree Systems, LLC
http://www.eagletreesystems.com
Page 7
EagleEyes Main Onscreen Menu (Vector)
Configuring and Using the EagleEyes with the VECTOR
This section describes using the EagleEyes with the VECTOR. If you are using the EagleEyes with the OSD Pro, skip to page 12.
All of the EagleEyes features can be configured using the Vector on-screen menus, or Vector software. Please see the Vector instruction manual for
information on how to use the onscreen menus, or how to install and use the software.
Note: the EagleEyes must be connected to your video
receiver, and the EagleEyes telemetry LED must be blinking, for onscreen configuration to work!
The sections below focus primarily on the on-screen configuration method, but the
concepts are the same for the software calibration method.
Accessing the EagleEyes Onscreen Menu
After invoking the Vector Onscreen stick menus, select the “Configure EagleEyes
Station” item from the main menu. Then, the EagleEyes main setup menu will appear,
as shown at right.
A description of the EagleEyes main setup menu items follows:
The Antenna Tracking Function
This section describes the antenna tracking function of the EagleEyes ground station. This function requires the Vector airborne system, and a servo
based antenna panning or pan/tilt mount (tracker).
Continuous rotation or extended range servos that do not use the standard endpoint ranges
(winch servos, etc.) are not compatible with the Eagle Eyes.
IMPORTANT: please read through this entire section before attempting to calibrate your tracker.
Calibration is relatively simple as long as
you understand how the calibration procedure is done.
What the Tracking Function Does
Definitions:
Pan: left and right movement of your tracker
Tilt: up and down movement of your tracker (optional)
The EagleEyes uses the GPS position information from your model to determine the correct pan and tilt angles required to keep your antenna pointed
at your model. The EagleEyes drives and powers the pan and (optionally) tilt servo of your tracker. The EagleEyes is easily calibrated to work
with virtually any type of servo based antenna tracker. Some sources for pan/tilt antenna mounts are
and
a)
Set Zero Pan Compass Reading
- this menu item lets you manually set the compass angle at which the antenna is pointing, when it is
centered, at your flying site. For example, if the antenna is pointing exactly West when centered, you would enter “270” in this field. A
small magnetic compass can be mounted on a nonmoving portion of your tracker to make this easier, or you can probably download a
compass app for your mobile phone. Also see the two other options for setting this angle automatically, below.
b)
Use Model Location as 0 Pan
– This option let’s you set the Zero Pan Compass reading described above, by positioning your model in front
of your tracker, as far away as possible, with your tracker’s pan servo centered. To use this option you must first ensure that the Vector has
established its “home” GPS location. Then, move the model as far away from the antenna as practical, ensuring that the model is lined up
with the patch antenna on the pan/tilt mount, and that the tracker’s pan servo is centered. Then, select this option, and the Zero Pan compass
angle reading is automatically computed.
c)
Use Present Compass as 0 Pan
– if you have enabled and calibrated the Vector’s magnetic compass, this menu item will use the model’s
present compass reading as your tracker’s the 0 pan direction. Point your model so that the arrow on the GPS/MAG’s label is pointing in the
same direction your tracker is pointing when it is centered, and select this menu item.
d)
Min Radius frm Home for Trak
– this menu item lets you enter the minimum radius for tracking. This radius is in either meters or feet,
depending on your units setting. If the model is closer to home than this radius, the pan/tilt mount will stop moving. The purpose of this
option is to keep the pan/tilt mount from swinging around wildly when the model is close to home, since the GPS position location can vary,
depending on the GPS fix quality.
e)
Enable Telemetry
– this menu item enables or disables telemetry between the OSD and the EagleEyes. This MUST be set to YES if you are
using the tracking or telemetry functions of the EagleEyes.
f)
Tracking Antenna Setup –
this menu item invokes the EagleEyes Antenna Tracking configuration menu, described in the tracking section
below
g)
Configure Diversity + Alarms –
this menu item invokes the EagleEyes Diversity and Alarms configuration menu, described in Figure 6
above
Figure 7: EagleEyes Main On-screen Menu, when using the Vector
