3d Printed Picolongrange FPV Drone
by Unboxingexperience7 in Workshop > 3D Printing
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3d Printed Picolongrange FPV Drone
![1660497271565.jpeg](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FN0/KCK6/L6TC9ZQE/FN0KCK6L6TC9ZQE.jpg&filename=1660497271565.jpeg)
![Picolongrange - tiny 3d printed FPV drone](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FGS/OWMQ/L6Z20LUS/FGSOWMQL6Z20LUS.jpg&filename=Picolongrange - tiny 3d printed FPV drone)
Hi guys,
after Nanolongrange comes Picolongrange! This is my take on a tiny FPV drone with good range. It is based on a 3d printed 70mm frame and small 1.6" propellers. It features
- 45g AUW
- 500m range
- 2km distance
- GPS
Moreover, it is a rather simple build with only the GPS required to be soldered. However, you will need some basic knowledge on FPV drones/ Betaflight to complete this Instructable successfully.
Supplies
![3.png](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FM3/MJ24/L6XML9UG/FM3MJ24L6XML9UG.png&filename=3.png)
BOM
1s AIO flight controller - go for one with integrated ELRS RX and VTX
go for one with integrated ELRS RX and VTX
Motors
Props
Camera
Alternatively, you can buy a plug and play Tinywhoop
GPS
Remote Controller
FPV goggles
3d Printing the Frame
![1.png](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FZ6/RX80/L6XML9RM/FZ6RX80L6XML9RM.png&filename=1.png)
![2.png](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FR3/FNA6/L6XML9UH/FR3FNA6L6XML9UH.png&filename=2.png)
- Download the .stl files from Thingiverse.
- My slicer settings are 0.2 resolution and 20% infill.
- I strongly recommend using ABS or ABS+ to get a rigid and temperature proof frame.
Build
![4.png](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FWT/MPVF/L6XML9UF/FWTMPVFL6XML9UF.png&filename=4.png)
![5.png](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FD1/9Z58/L6XML9UE/FD19Z58L6XML9UE.png&filename=5.png)
![6.png](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FLE/E1JS/L6XML9UD/FLEE1JSL6XML9UD.png&filename=6.png)
![7.png](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/F16/S1Q9/L6XML9UC/F16S1Q9L6XML9UC.png&filename=7.png)
![8.png](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FFG/4PIE/L6XML9UB/FFG4PIEL6XML9UB.png&filename=8.png)
- Mount all 4 motors on the frame using M1.4 3mm screws. One side of the frame has countersunk holes where the screw head is supposed to fit in.
- Use M2 10mm screws to mount the AIO flight controller. The back screw needs to go top down to hold the GPS mount.
- Solder the GPS to the flight controller. Use a free UART and solder RX to TX and vice versa.
- Mount the canopy on the frame. Use a M2 plastic screw in the front and a rubber band on the side screws. The rubber band will also hold the battery.
GPS &vTX Setup
![11.png](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FGS/9MXT/L6XML9U6/FGS9MXTL6XML9U6.png&filename=11.png)
![10.png](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FK9/96NU/L6XML9U7/FK996NUL6XML9U7.png&filename=10.png)
![9.png](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FHS/P5VG/L6XML9UA/FHSP5VGL6XML9UA.png&filename=9.png)
- Connect to Betaflight and make sure the board is correctly aligned, the RC link set up and motors spin in correct direction. If you are a novice you will find plenty of information on the internet. Joshua Bardwells tutorials on Youtube might be very helpful.
- For best longrange experience set the VTX to the highest output level. However, make sure to comply with your local regulations.
- Enable GPS on the UART used. For me, in Config NMEA works.
![13.png](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/F59/ALSM/L6XML9RO/F59ALSML6XML9RO.png&filename=13.png)
![12.png](/proxy/?url=https://content.instructables.com/FZD/WC2L/L6XML9RP/FZDWC2LL6XML9RP.png&filename=12.png)
I went 500m but I' m sure with a newer AIO board featuring a 400mW VTX 1km range should be no problem. Stay tuned!