Focus on Competition - 2003/12
Technical Director
Steve Kaluf [email protected]
NATS ISSUE! Now I finally get to see what took place on the site during the month of July. It always seems like I miss the whole thing because I'm running around making sure things are going all right. The Nats issue gives me a chance to read the write-ups and see the pictures of what actually took place. I hope you enjoy(ed) this issue.
If you've not been to a Nats at the International Aeromodeling Center you owe it to yourself to attend one. Even better, fly in one. There is an event taking place for almost everyone anymore. This was the first Nats I've ever been able to fly in and I had a great time. I did terrible, but the amount of fun I had made it all worthwhile.
I've said it many times before: competition is a lot of fun, but, like the lottery, you have to play to win. No one has ever won or placed in a contest by not entering. Flying in competitions will make you a better pilot regardless of what you fly. The help you get from those who are winning is immeasurable.
Lately I've been getting what seems to be an increasing number of calls and messages from members who seem to be having interference problems of some sort. None of these recent problems has been worked completely through to resolution yet, so I can't tell you what, if anything, is causing this. Here are a few suggestions, however.
Scanners and monitoring
Each club needs to have a scanner available to it. If the club cannot afford to purchase one, borrow one from your AMA district once a year and check things out. Most scanners that will handle our frequencies properly run approximately $300. One we've been using lately is the Yaesu VR-500. This unit has loads of features for a low-priced scanner. It is available from ham radio suppliers.
One feature the scanner must have is Narrow FM mode. This is sometimes designated NFM or FMN. If the unit only has FM, or worse WFM, it will be looking at too wide a picture for our use. A couple of years ago AMA Flying Site Assistance Coordinator Joe Beshar was promoting the use of a nice little scanner that sold for only roughly $200. However, it only had FM mode ability. I received many calls from members using this scanner and thinking they were picking up interference, when in fact they were listening to such a large "picture" that they were hearing signals that in no way affected their operation of radio-control systems.
What to watch for and check
- Be careful of signal strength. Normally we get concerned if the strength goes over about S5.
- If you think you are having trouble at your site, take a drive around it. Look for other areas in which people could be flying.
- Look for new antenna construction (typically not a problem, but worth checking).
- Be aware that open fields can suddenly have people flying on them and no one knew anything about it. With the influx of park flyers and the like, fairly inexperienced people are now able to fly (which is a good thing); however, you never know where they may crop up (which can be a problem).
Receivers
If you think you are having a problem, check your receivers. Everyone (almost) is very good about having up-to-date transmitters; however, the receivers are often overlooked. Many feel it is only the transmitters that can cause a problem. That is not true. An older receiver that does not meet narrow-band standards can be an accident looking for a place to happen. They are not capable of flying in the environment we fly in today. Not only do we have our own channels spaced fairly close together, we also have other users of our band spaced close to our frequencies. If your receiver is not designed for a narrow-band environment, you will have trouble and possibly cause a serious accident.
If you are having problems, or even think you are, call me. Let's talk about what is going on. This is the only way I know of problems and the only way we can work together to solve them.
'Til next time ... MA
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
