Question Update

1. Look up the interface to program the arduino on board(In the blimp duino docs). 
- We can use the Arduino Pro IDE to upload new code. The code is available for free at Arduino. 

OK Install this on your laptop.  What I meant was the physical pinout.  The USB-TTL cable has a 6 pin header on it.  I assume this just plugs into the board.  Find a picture of how it plugs in and post it. 

2. Does the Arduino need need a ttl interface or is the inverter already board? 
This can be an FTDI TTL-232R-3V3 USB - TTL Level Serial Converter Cable, the SparkFun FTDI Basic Breakout Board, or any other USB to 3.3V TTL serial convertor.   I have a FTDI TTL - 232R 5V USB cable.  See if you can find out if the arduino on the board is 5V tolerant (I suspect that it is, but I would hate to burn it out!) 

4. What does the program loaded on the Arduino by default do? 
- The board comes preassembled and preprogrammed with two modes: 
a. RC Mode 
- The chip will auto detect an RC signal. After it’s been recognized, the RC controls will adjust the vectoring thrusters and spin speed for thrust, pitch, and lift. 

OK, we will have to look at this.  Typically RC controllers output a pulse between 1ms and 2ms long.  A value of 1.5 ms corresponds to dead stick (0).  1 would be maximum negative and 2 would be maximum positive.  The RC gear that I have(vex) combines all the channels into one.  Look at this reference: 

http://profmason.com/?p=602

also look up PPM encoding vs. PCM encoding.  See if you can find out which one the blimpduino uses. 

6. What is the RC protocol that is used? 
- Not too sure what this means. I read though the blog posts on DIY and found that it runs on dual channel, one for thrust one for steering. We turn on the RC controller first, then activate the blimp. The blimp is preprogrammed to auto detect the RC.  Again see the above PPM vs. PCM question.

8. How to mount all of this stuff on the blimp? (Look at the instructions) 
I will bring a bunch of velco. 

Back to the Helium Question:

Call Praxair Inc

(626) 338-4712

and Airgas West

(909) 629-5031

Find out if they will fill our empty Argon/Hydrogen (99/1)  Gas tank with helium.  Failing that see if they will fill our empty nitrogen gas tank with Helium.  I belive these are 9 cubic meter tanks.  Find out prices and other options.