Get out your credit card...

With the airframes at HobbyKing now in stock, it's time to try and acquire all of the components I will need to build this quadcopter.

Photo credited to  www.seniorliving.org; found on Flickr.

Here is a list of the parts that I will need, along with a link to an adequate source on HobbyKing:

Flight Controller (HobbyKing Quadcopter Control Board V2 (Atmega168PA) $24.79

  [If you recall, I am using a different flight controller from Aeroquad. But Aeroquad is on back order and this one is cheap, although not modifiable.]

Airframe (HobbyKing Quadcopter Frame V1 (plus an extra for repair parts) $29.98

Radio Transmitter/Receiver (Turnigy 9X 9Ch Transmitter w/ Module & 8ch Receiver) $54.99

4 ESCs (Hobbyking SS Series 15-18A ESC) $26.00

  [Why these simpler controllers? Because they are in stock, cheap, and the motors I have are rated 14-16amps.]

4 Brushless Motors (hacker Style Brushless Outrunner 20-22L) $58.88
  [Fairly powerful 924 kv motors, good for upgrading to octo later]

LiPo Balancer Charger (HobbyKing Simplex 1~4S LiPo/LiFe 12,110~240v charger) $27.59

LiPo Battery (Turnigy 3600mAh 3S 20C Lipo Pack) $21.13

Battery Monitor (HXT Lipo Monitor 3S) $2.10

Servo Leads (10CM Servo Lead (JR) 32AWG Ultra Light (10pcs/bag)) $1.99
  [These connect the Rx to the flight controller]

3.5mm Bullet Connectors for the motors (3.5mm 3-wire Bullet-connector for motor) $4.26

4mm Bullet Connectors for power and ESCs (HXT 4mm Gold Connector w/ Protector) $7.28

Shipping from HobbyKing: $71.98   [yikes!]



Propellers (plus two spares) (APC 10x4.7 plus and equal number of  APC 10x4.7 Pusher) $34.00

Shipping from AeroQuad: $14.91


12 Gauge stranded wire (black and red) [Local store]

Heat Shrink Tubing [Local store]


Grand Total for the first project toward the final goal: $379.87


Remaining expenses:
AeroQuad flightcontroller (about $200)
Components to handmake carbon fiber/aluminum Octocopter frame (about $80)
Four more motors, ESCs and propellers (about $120)
Camera mount and servos (??)

Time to start saving while I wait for shipping to get these parts to my home.