Hello Guys,

Recently I have completed my first quad. Thought I should share my build experience (Assembly Actually  as I am using Q 450 frame)with you all.
Hope this will be helpful to beginner like me to understand the initial setup.
Your valuable suggestions / comments for making it better are most welcome.
As a beginner I decided to go with X configuration.

All parts are from Hobby king

1* Q450 Glass Fiber Quadcopter Frame 450mm - Integrated PCB Version
4* D2830-11 1000kv Brushless Motor
4* Hobby King 30A ESC 3A UBEC
1* Hobbyking KK2.0 Multi-rotor LCD Flight Control Board 
1* 10x4.5 SF Props 2pc Standard Rotation/2 pc RH Rotation (Green)
1* 10x4.5 SF Props 2pc Standard Rotation/2 pc RH Rotation (Orange) 
1* Turnigy nano-tech 2200mah 3S 35~70C Lipo Pack  1* Nylon XT60 Connectors Male/Female (5pc)
1* 10CM Male to Male Servo Lead (JR) 26AWG (10pcs/set)
2* PolyMax 3.5mm Gold Connectors 10 PAIRS (10PC)
1* Simple Prop Balancer
1* Turnigy Heat Shrink Tube 25mm Transparent (1mtr)
1* Turnigy 4mm Heat Shrink Tube - BLACK (1mtr)
1* USBasp AVR Programming Device for ATMEL proccessors
1* OrangeRx R615 Spektrum/JR DSM2 Compatible 6Ch 2.4Ghz Receiver

HobbyKing Q 450 frame is good it has integrated PCB to avoid extra hassle and weight with power distribution board. Different arm color for better orientation, Arm motor mount holes matches with 28x series motors and kit comes with all accessories required to build quad.

However there are lots of complaints on HK site regarding the missing part and I was not exception for it.


In my kit Motor mounting screws, 1.5 mm hex diver (alin key) , Velcro strap were missing. HK customer support is good and I receive missing part in next 15 days after reporting it. (Never receive kay for hex screws 

I have followed basic Quad rotor tutorial from youtube .

http://flitetest.com/articles/Basic_Quadcopter_Tutorial_Talon_V2_KK2_Board_Plush_ESCs?q=basic%20quadcopter

This are quite good instruction videos series to complete your and fly your first quad.



Electronics used for my quad is different than video and I have used HK 30 A ESC flashed with SimonK latest and stable firmware.

Here is a video link for instruction of Flashing ESCs

Initially I tried using 10 -6 pin cable comes with programmer for flashing, but matching the pin out every time and holding to board was real pain. So I directly soldered single core wire to programmer and to ESC for flashing.

While mounting ESC on frame I realize wires between ESC and motors are quite long and if not tied properly can get cut or damaged by prop during the flight.   

So removed the wires completely from the ESC and soldered female 3.5 bullet connector on ESC board.

As few parts were missing from frame kit, bought 3 * 8 mm (Dia * Length) screws for mounting motors and 1.5 mm hex driver from local hardware store. To avoid contacts with coil I have used washers.  7.5 mm length screws are good for this frame but I didn't find any locally.

Here is completed one arm..

and attachment to frame

Used simple prop balancer and clear tape for balancing props as shown in video. For better orientation using different colored props in from and back.

Turnigy  2830 motors  with 3.2 collect type prop adapter , mounted props 10* 4.5

Ready to fly .

I am using Orange receiver for my spectrum radio. KK2 board with all default settings . 2200 amp 3 cell Turnigy Nano tech.

Median

Video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6d4U_GUEs-w&feature=youtu.be


Now need some practice. Will be using  RCD All in 1 USB simulator

Firmware kk v1.6 is more stable compare to 1.5.

Thanks Dharmik,

It took me some time to figure it out wher I have mentioned KK2 firmware 

I realized it's on description of youtube video . I have corrected it now.

My bad.. actually I'm using v1.2 firware come with board.    and not 1.5 .  Since this is my first quad and zero experiance with it I will continue on some more practice on it.

I'm sure there will be added advantages with new firmware.  Is altutude hold part of it ?  . This will be next feature I would like to explore for arial photography .

Yes KK2 comes with the v1.2 fw by default. From v1.2 to 1.5 firmwares have bug which makes quad less responsive. The bug discovered by the one user here
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showpost.php?p=24904352&postcount=13141
later KK corrected it in his latest fw 1.6. One more fw i found useful for fpv is v1.6++ which is mixed by acro and SL mode in single mode. Sticks centered gives SL while at the end points it gives acro feel.

Nice info Dharmik 

Will update fw to v1.6 soon.

any suggestion for onboard camera. GoPro looks good however I will hold my self considaring my beginner skills 

I am using HK HD wing camera. It records @720p res. Recent version can record @1080p. Explorer hd is good as well since it can be used for both rc and recording purpose.