RC FPV Cable Cam

I designed this remote controlled FPV cable cam to film above people when using a classic drone is not allowed.

The main body is composed of 5 plates: a front plate where the battery is fixed, a rear plate where the motor is fixed, a lower plate where the servo motor for horizontal rotation is housed, two oblique plates.
 

In the back plate I used an interchangeable mount to allow customization of the motor used. You just need to draw your own mount following the measurements shown in the image below.

• Rear plate hole is 45mm;
• 48x48 mm mounting hole to rear plate;
• M3 hole for fixing to the rear plate;
• 5mm rear plate thickness;

The axles of the side wheels are designed to be removed and repositioned easily, to allow the insertion of the cable cam on a rope already installed and taut. 

Watch this video to see how it's simple to setup and be ready to go!

In my early prototypes I try to use also an electronic stabilized gimbal like this: 

.    

but later I decided to simplify and use the classic GoPro using its software stabilization. I also plan to test an Insta360 X4, which I can mount under the gimbal with the classic 1/4" screw. However, if you want to use it you can fix the gimbal bottom plate to the lower servo.

As for the electronics, I used some components that I already had at home, so I will put links to similar parts that you can find on various online markets.

• MOTOR (1pcs) - 18v Brushed motor with 14teeth gear:
  ** 2025-11-23 update: https://it.aliexpress.com/item/1005007149893410.html  
  **old - out of stock: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005007173279395.html

  18v / 14teeth

• ESC (1pcs) - 2-3S Electronic Speed Controller for brushed motor
  https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005008158648675.html 
• RX  (1pcs) - Radio Receiver
  https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005880259941.html 
• VTX (1pcs) - Video Transmitter
  https://banggood.onelink.me/zMT7/x0ro7eqp
• FPV CAMERA  (1pcs) 
  https://ban.ggood.vip/1lXm5 
• SERVOMOTOR  (2pcs) - for camera movements and Gimbal
  https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006887552361.html 

• HARDWARE (about) 
  25 pcs M3x10mm bolt 
  10 pcs M3x6mm bolt

  2 pcs 608ZZ ball bearing https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005511187974.html 

  2 pcs M6x70mm bolt

  2 pcs M6 nut

For the rope I use this 4mm 100% nylon rope: https://www.amazon.it/dp/B0C242PG93 : its breaking load is around 250kg, this allows you to really tighten the rope.

RECOMMENDATION
I have tried various solutions to optimize the grip between the motor pulley and the rope (TPU, grooves, etc...): the best result is obtained by simply wrapping one or more elastic bands to wrap the pulley itself