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Version: 5.x

Quick Start Tutorial

This guide will help you set up UAVcast-Pro v5 and establish a connection between your flight controller and ground control station.

1. License Activation​

  1. Access the UAVcast-Pro web interface
  2. Navigate to the License section
  3. Enter your license key
  4. Click Activate
info

Ensure your Raspberry Pi has internet access during activation.

2. Connect Flight Controller​

  1. Navigate to the Flight Controller page
  2. Choose your connection method:
  • USB (Recommended): Connect FC using USB cable
  • GPIO: Connect TX, RX, and Ground pins
  1. Verify mavlink connection status shows "Connected"
Troubleshooting

If status doesn't show "Connected":

  • Check physical connections
  • Ensure flight controller is powered
  • Change usb cable

3. Set Up ZeroTier Network​

UAVcast-Pro uses ZeroTier for secure, easy-to-configure VPN connections.

  1. Access uavnet.uavmatrix.com using credentials provided in your license email.
  2. Click "Create Network"
  3. Note your Network ID for later use
note

Access to uavnet.uavmatrix.com is provided automatically upon license activation.

4. Connect Ground Control Station PC​

  1. Download ZeroTier from zerotier.com
  2. Install ZeroTier on your GCS computer
  3. Join your network:
  • Windows: Right-click ZeroTier icon → Join Network
  • Linux: sudo zerotier-cli join <your-network-id>
  • macOS: Click ZeroTier menu bar icon → Join Network
  1. Enter your Network ID
  2. Approve the connection in uavnet.uavmatrix.com network dashboard

5. Configure UAVcast-Pro VPN​

Goto the VPN page to learn more about the diffrent VPN providers. setup-vpn

  1. Navigate to VPN page in UAVcast-Pro
  2. Select "ZeroTier" as VPN type
  3. Enter your Network ID
  4. Click Connect
  5. Verify connection status

6. Verify Connectivity​

Ensure both devices show as connected in uavnet.uavmatrix.com
Both should have assigned ZeroTier managed IPs

7. Configure Ground Control Station​

  1. Navigate to Ground Control Station page in UAVcast-Pro
  2. Configure streaming settings:
  • Destination IP: Your GCS computer's ZeroTier IP
  • Telemetry Port: 14550 (default)
  • Video Port: 5600 (default)
Default Ports

Mission Planner and QGroundControl are pre-configured for these ports when using UDP.

8. Firewall Configuration​

Important

Ensure these ports are open in your firewall:

  • UDP 14550 (Telemetry)
  • UDP 5600 (Video Stream)

To open ports:

  • Windows: Windows Firewall → Advanced Settings → Inbound Rules → New Rule
  • Linux: sudo ufw allow 14550/udp and sudo ufw allow 5600/udp

Verification​

Your setup is complete when:

  1. UAVcast-Pro shows connected status for Flight Controller
  2. ZeroTier shows connected status
  3. GCS receives telemetry data
  4. Video stream is visible (if configured)
Troubleshooting

If connection issues occur:

  1. Verify all ZeroTier connections are authorized
  2. Check firewall settings
  3. Confirm correct IP addresses are used
  4. Verify port settings match on both ends