Underwater viewing

[kenny_in_w.v.]

Hi all........I'm new here and I first want to say that all the posts and photos and plans, etc are all high quality. You sound like a great bunch of guys (and ladies if so applies)
I am trying to explore a place in a lake some 15-20 feet down and I think RC submarines is my best viewing bet.
But where can I get a sub that dives with 15-20 feet of depth and doesn't lose signal??????????????/
I can seem to buy one...I would if I could.......I want to get serious like most of you are but I'm remodeling a house so time and money must place this sub desire on hold till next year.
But where can I get the depth needed on an RC sub???.................I know basically about wireless video, though I will need a little help there also.............................................. ..ant suggestions for a newbie??????
Kenny from W.V.

[greenman407]

underwater viewing

hi, my name is mark. im new here also. google search for caswell inc. and on his sight you will see model submarine stuff. click on that and one of the things he offers is a viewing goggle and camera setup for model submarines. they also sell a few kits that can be turned into a working model sub. you can also contact dave meriman at jeffrey.larue@hp.com. and keep asking questions in this forum,youll get your answers. mark

[JWLaRue]

Hi Kenny,

Welcome to the hobby!

Hi Kenny,

Welcome to the hobby! I think you will find this to be both an enjoyable and (sometimes) challenging hobby.

The maximum depth that you can control an R/C submarine (assuming that you stay at the surface) mostly depends on the water. Fresh water will get you down around 20 feet or so, whereas salt water gets you about 0.1 inches. Basically, we're talking the more ionized particles, the less depth. Chlorinated pools can be a mixed bag since the amount of chlorine in the water will greatly affect depth of the signal.

Since you mentioned 'viewing' and video, what folks have reported to date is that the typical 2.5GHz wireless video systems require that the transmitter antenna be above water or no signal is received. For video-based viewing down around 20 feet, you'll likely want to float an antenna back up to the surface.

A number of the kit vendors 'rate' their kits to a depth of 12-15 feet, so you'll want to investigate this carefully given your depth requirements.

Keep asking questions.....we're here to help and share! Also please keep us up-to-date as to your progress.....we're a curious bunch!

-Jeff

[steveuk]

Jeff your post just hit

Jeff your post just hit me with an idea.

Kenny, I'm not sure but I get the impression from what you wrote that the primary reason you want a sub is to explore underwater down to 20 ft or so.. How about an ROV instead !
If the vehicle is operated via an umbilical cable you could get clean video transmission, and you could also get lots of power down the cable to power some bright flood lights.

Did you loose something down there

[tmsmalley]

Speaking of ROVs -
There

Speaking of ROVs -
There is a great article in the upcoming December 2007 SubCommittee REPORT by Canadian SC member, Ted Scrivens, about his prize winning ROV "Pipe Dream".

Ted runs his ROV like an RC sub (no umbilical) and floats an antenna on the surface to broadcast the video signal. VERY COOL.



Ted's ROV underwater.




ROV on the table opened up for a peek



"Teaser" opening pages from Ted's article appearing in the soon to be mailed December 2007 SubCommittee Report.

[uk_scorpion]

hi,
has anybody ever tryed a

hi,
has anybody ever tryed a diferent frequancy?im using a 2.5 ghz wireless at home (security). apart from hard to tune in,soon as you move it go's a bit unstable and the picture is not very good.i have seen verious demos of cameras,but all in all im not impressed.
not sure if you would come down a bit in frequancy it would be better.
reason for asking is im thinking of installing one myselve.

best regards

[wingtip]

hi freq stuff doesnt work

hi freq stuff doesnt work to well underwater unless the antenna is above water... lower the freq the better it will transmit thru water... and there lies the problems...