re you among the many people
who are using the new 2.4 GHz
spread spectrum radios? Are you
wondering why your club still
requires the use of frequency pins and/or
is impounding your radio as it does the 72
MHz radios? It’s because your club’s
leadership is smart.
It is important that those using these
radios do not fall into the habit of not
using the frequency control system. Many
who use spread spectrum radios also have
“regular” radios on one of the
conventional RC frequencies.
Perhaps in the future it will be reasonable
to change the frequency-control systems we
typically use, but for now it makes sense to
treat these radios the same way we do any
other radio. This is how we intend to manage
the spread spectrum radios during events at
the National Flying Site in Muncie, Indiana,
and is what we are recommending for any
AMA sanctioned event.
This is not to say that we should not take
advantage of this new technology where it is
beneficial. Establishing an area for small
electric models or helicopters to fly,
separating it from the “normal” flying facility
at a club and restricting that area to spread
spectrum radios is a reasonable thing to do.
We are considering offering such a
facility in Muncie. Such an area would allow
more members to fly, particularly when the
rest of the facility is closed to open flying
because of a special event or competition.
A number of manufacturers have become
involved with this new technology, and
taking full advantage of spread spectrum
technology must be addressed. Until such
President’s Perspective
AMA President Dave Brown
A time as the majority of modelers are using
this technology—and I expect that will take a
number of years—we need to be sure that we
do not fall into the habit of not using a
frequency-control system so we avoid
problems when we use our “normal” RC
systems.
In my April column I wrote about electrics
and the dangers involved in using Li-Poly
batteries. That column was well received. I
have had a number of compliments on it, but
I also had a couple of people think that
column might scare some of the readers away
from electric flight.
I hope not, because electric is almost
certainly the wave of the future in
aeromodeling. There is no reason for the
dangers to scare anyone away from this
power source. The intent of that column was
to increase the respect for and knowledge of
Li-Poly batteries and charging systems in
order to reduce the number of incidents.
Being slightly afraid of those batteries
isn’t a bad thing if it increases the focus
and care with which we use them. It is
probably a good thing if it results in
learning more about how to use them
safely. Avoiding Li-Poly batteries because
of fear is an overreaction and results in
people not being able to enjoy the benefits
of this wonderful technology.
It’s important to be careful while using
these batteries, but there is no good reason to
be paranoid about it. Learn as much as you
can, and apply that knowledge and you will
be as safe with these batteries as you are with
other power sources. Knowledge and
diligence are the keys. If you don’t know the
The Academy of Model Aeronautics is a world-class association of modelers organized for the purpose of
promotion, development, education, advancement and safeguard of modeling activities.
The Academy provides leadership, organization, competition, communication, protection, representation,
recognition, education, and scientific/technical development to modelers.
Mission Statement
answer, don’t be afraid to ask a friend or go
onto the Internet and research the question.
One difficulty I have seen with many Li-Poly
batteries is the need to solder a connector
onto the pack before it can be used, and the
soldering skills of our average member are
not as good as we would like.
If you are experienced at soldering this
type of connector and have the proper
equipment to do the job, you might consider
volunteering to put on a soldering
demonstration during a club meeting.
Or you might offer to help your fellow
club members solder their packs. You might
do the job for them or it could serve as a little
one-on-one soldering class. If you are a club
officer, you could recruit someone to do such
a class during a club meeting.
I’ll offer a hint: a 40-watt iron with a
larger tip, which acts as a heat reserve,
will help when soldering these connectors.
Using a lighter iron, which takes too long
to heat things, will result in overheating
the connector and the wire. It shouldn’t
take more than a few seconds to heat the
connector enough to flow the solder and
complete the job. MA
Until next month.
Dave Brown
AMA president
[email protected]
June 2007 5
Knowledge and diligence are the keys.
06sig1.QXD 4/23/07 1:58 PM Page 5
Edition: Model Aviation - 2007/06
Page Numbers: 5