TNT Tramp HV User Manual

5.8 GHz Video Transmitter

Preliminary Operator's Manual

International edition, Rev 1.2 - Oct 2016

RF Output

Antenna Impedance

50 Ohms

Antenna Connector

Surface Mounted U.FL, with replaceable U.FL to SMA pigtail

Power Output

Linearly adjustable, < 1mW to > 600mW 2

Channels

40 standard, arbitrary using Race Wand

Pit Frequency

User/Race Organizer Definable

Channel Change Glitching

Eliminated using Auto-Glitch technology

Mechanical

Dimensions

L=32mm x W = 14mm x H = 5mm

Weight

4g (Tx only without SMA pigtail)

Audio/Video

Connector

JST-GH, 6-pin locking

Pinout

Battery In, Gnd, +5V Out, Video, Audio, Telemetry (twin grounds on harness)

Modulation

FM, Audio and Video

Audio

Mono input, duplicated on subcarriers on 6.0 and 6.5MHz 

1

TNR (Touch’n’Race)

Connector

JST-GH, 4-pin locking

Power

Voltage

2s-4s HV LiPo

Power Consumption

~4W max. @ 600mW, ~1.9W @ 200mW

Environmental

Storage Temperature

TBD

Operating Temperature

TBD

2

Specifications

1 

Mono audio duplicated on both audio subcarriers to eliminate noise in one channel of stereo

headphones at the (stereo) receiver.

2 

Power limited by Tx temperature to extend transmitter lifetime. A hot transmitter (no airflow) will

reduce power until safe temperature is reached.

Note that when leaving a race event, be sure to ‘De-Wand’ to place the transmitter back in
normal operating mode. If you leave an event without De-Wanding, check the ‘Emergency
Unlock’ procedure later in this document.

3

Introduction

The Tramp HV is a tiny, high power 5.8GHz Audio/Video transmitter designed for FPV use, but with
a focus on the Drone Racing market.

Equipped with a dual user-interface, one a traditional button/LED, and another using near-field
communications (Touch’N’Race) to configure the transmitter using a contact-free wand.

The unique (and Patent-Pending) Touch’N’Race (TNR) feature was designed purely to enable race
events with extremely low inter-heat times, and reduce dramatically the risk of accidental
power-ups disrupting a race event.

Touch’N’Race (TNR)

When arriving at a race event using ImmersionRC TNR Technology, a pilot’s quad is placed in ‘Race
Mode’ during pilot registration. This is achieved without powering up the quad, and without any
physical connection, using a TNR Wand.

When in Race Mode (identified by a blink code on the internal LED), the transmitter will not
transmit unless requested by the race director’s TNR Wand. This typically happens during
preparation for a race, while the previous heat is running.

Quads are ‘wanded’ safely while their batteries are disconnected, and assigned their race band,
channel, and transmitter power level. When powered up, the quads will transmit on this assigned
channel until the battery is disconnected, at which point they will return to the race-director
assigned mode.

A race organizer may choose to allow quads which are not racing to transmit a very low power level
on a ‘Pit Frequency’ to allow quads to be setup, and debugged, without interrupting a race. This pit
frequency is defined by the race organizer to comply with local regulations.

This Pit Mode also allows quads powered up for equipment inspection to transmit an image.

4

Best Practices

Connectors and Cables

The trend to miniaturize FPV video transmitters, and dramatically decrease weight requires the use
of smaller, and therefore more fragile connectors than used on ‘legacy’ transmitters.

When mounting the transmitter, ensure that these connectors (especially the tiny U.FL antenna
connector) is not being pulled, or can be pulled in a crash. If the U.FL to Bulkhead SMA cable gets
damaged it may be replaced easily.

The transmitter may safely be stuck to the inside of a carbon fibre frame using double-sided foam
tape.

Try to avoid sharp bends in the tiny RF cable, which will reduce power output levels.

Powering the Tramp

DO NOT power the tramp from a 12V regulator on a 4s powered quad, such as a Polulu.

The Tramp is designed to run directly from the LiPo, and includes an advanced switching
regulator, and plenty of filtration to clean up the noise from the ESCs.

Powering from a +5V supply is possible, but only recommended if the regulated supply is very
‘clean’, and can supply up to 1 Amp of current.

Airflow

Even though the Tramp is equipped with a thermal protection system, it is recommended to ensure
a good amount of airflow around it. Encasing the Tramp (or any other high-power electronic device)
in foam (or similar) with no airflow is not recommended, and may result in premature failure.

The Tramp HV will intelligently reduce output power levels if the board temperature heats beyond
preset limits.

Several steps are used, starting with the least aggressive (25% reduction in output power), until the
board temperature is safe, and sustainable.

Ground Loops

If using the internal +5V regulator to power a camera, run the second ground wire from the
supplied harness, along with the +5V output, directly to the camera. This ensures that the clean
switching regulator on the Tramp can feed the camera without noisy ‘ground currents’ creating
noise on the image.

TNR Board

The TNR board must be placed on your quad so that it is accessible by the race marshal. If you have
a flat carbon fibre top plate (which is the case for 99% of the quads out there), you may stick it to