August 2006 151
Scan your flying field for glitches. I am
often contacted by members expressing
concern about what is believed to be radio
interference at their club’s flying site
asking what can be done to address the
issue.
What follows is a simple
procedure to scan the field and
establish a pattern of interference or
glitches as they occur for safety and
to avoid the loss of aircraft by using
the Tracker synthesized radio
transmitter. This makes it easy and
your field can be scanned at low
cost. It enables a simple means to
determine the pattern of interference
for policing accordingly.
Extend the antenna.
1) Press and hold Mode-Up key
2) Turn on Power Switch (screen
reads SELECT FRQ)
3) Press Data plus Key. Scan begins
and stops flashing “busy” with
beeping sound at a detected
frequency. To continue, press
Data plus Key.
The Tracker system is available from
Polk’s Hobby, 6285 21st St., Irvington NJ
07111; E-mail: [email protected];
Tel.: (973) 351-9800; Web address:
www.polkshobby.com. The price is $180 to
your club which includes a complete radio
system and the Seeker 6 receiver and a
servo.
It is beneficial for a club to purchase
because it also serves as trainee and standby
radio at the field. It can be synthesized
and is usable on any frequency with any
receiver and has all the benefits of a
computer radio.
Flying Site Assistance Joe Beshar | [email protected]
Announcements, news, and information from the
Academy of Model Aeronautics and the elected district representatives.
AMA News
Wes De Cou, Coordinator
Western Region
Districts VIII - XI
Voice: (480) 460-9466;
Cell: (480) 296-9515;
Fax: (480) 460-9434;
202 W. Desert Flower Ln.
Phoenix AZ 85045
E-mail: [email protected]
Burt Rutan: “Lookin’ up ... way up.”
Joe Beshar, Coordinator
Eastern Region
Districts I - VII
198 Merritt Dr.
Oradell NJ 07649
Tel.: (201) 261-1281;
Fax: (201) 261-0223
E-mail: [email protected]
Finding—Preserving—Maintaining
Need help getting or keeping a flying site?
We’d be happy to help. Contact AMA’s
Flying Site Coordinators at the following
addresses.
BURT RUTAN was honored with the
Model Aviation Hall of Fame award
during the AMA Convention on January
14 in Ontario, California. I had the
opportunity and pleasure to be at the
presentation dinner honoring him with
the Model Aviation Hall of Fame award
and Burt’s speech was inspirational.
During dinner I asked him for his
personal view on model aviation. He
sent me this letter which I would like to
share with you on the subject of lack of
flying fields for model flight activities. I
hope you find it as moving as I did.
“I can personally attest that the
exposure to model-aviation activities is a
strong driver to encourage young people
to consider science and engineering as
they later make their career choices.
“I am often asked to give
motivational talks and my favorite
subject is ‘inspiration for innovation.’
This deals with the premise that our top
science leaders stand out because of
what they see as 4- to 14-year-old
children.
“For me, the exposure to model
airplane flying and model competition
was critical. Then (in the 1950s) there
were few hurdles in setting up a flying
field—environmental issues were few
and the opportunities were limitless.
Today, we see numerous fields for
sports like baseball, football, and
basketball but few for model-aircraft
flying. This is wrong, since there will
always be more opportunities for future
jobs in aviation, engineering, and
science than careers in sports. A few
sports heroes make a lot of money but
they are not the ones who will change
our lives for the better.
“An investment in providing model
clubs, competitions, and flying fields
will pay big dividends in inspiring our
future leaders. I strongly endorse your
efforts to expand and promote those
opportunities.
“Lookin’ up ... way up.”
The Tracker 3 synthesized radio transmitter is
available through Polk’s Hobby.
Register as an FSA Volunteer!
The Flying Site Assistance Program
consists of a network of volunteers who make
themselves aware of any activities that could
impact an existing or potential flying site,
collect information regarding flying sites,
advise local modelers and AMA clubs, and
share information with one of the AMA Flying
Site Assistance Coordinators.
Anyone interested, contact me at the
address above.
Edition: Model Aviation - 2006/08
Page Numbers: 151