Uploaded April 2013 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
After 75 FPV and 25 line-of-sight flights on 4 different fuselage configurations I have discovered the need for some improvements on the Synapse design. I have elongated the fuselage for better CG adjustment and separated the video transmitter from the control receiver on opposite wings. The intention is more efficient flight and more robust video and control link.
The longer fuselage allows the placement of the OSD and wires in the stationary rear part of the fuselage, accessed by a hatch. The sliding tray becomes home to the battery and camera only, allowing some fore and aft adjustments of the CG. The longer, slimmer fuselage should deliver a cleaner column of air to the propeller, now located well rear of the trailing edge of the wing.
Separating the video transmitter from the rest of the electronics should maintain the tuning of the antenna and reduce fresnel zone issues with other metal stuff onboard. Locating the DragonLink antenna on the wingtip should optimize reception and a cleaner radio frequency environment to reduce interference from the video transmitter, camera, and powerplant.
After 75 FPV and 25 line-of-sight flights on 4 different fuselage configurations I have discovered the need for some improvements on the Synapse design. I have elongated the fuselage for better CG adjustment and separated the video transmitter from the control receiver on opposite wings. The intention is more efficient flight and more robust video and control link.
The longer fuselage allows the placement of the OSD and wires in the stationary rear part of the fuselage, accessed by a hatch. The sliding tray becomes home to the battery and camera only, allowing some fore and aft adjustments of the CG. The longer, slimmer fuselage should deliver a cleaner column of air to the propeller, now located well rear of the trailing edge of the wing.
Separating the video transmitter from the rest of the electronics should maintain the tuning of the antenna and reduce fresnel zone issues with other metal stuff onboard. Locating the DragonLink antenna on the wingtip should optimize reception and a cleaner radio frequency environment to reduce interference from the video transmitter, camera, and powerplant.
