Frequently Asked Questions - 2010/03

68 MODEL AVIATION
Besides
allowing separation
between
transmitters, these
new wireless
trainer systems (no
cable required)
offer several new
possibilities. I
looked at a system from a new
company—Second in Command RC
(2icrc)—and using it takes
considerably more effort than
connecting a single cable between the
two transmitters.
The 2icrc system, two transmitters,
and two receivers are required. But by
reading information on the company’s
Web site, I learned that pilots do not
have to use the same brand of radio
systems, which can be a plus.
Any two transmitters using any
technology (type of transmission) can
be employed. The 2icrc system can be
PLEASE WRITE
in with your
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the only way we
can keep this
column format
going. When
referring to Qs and
As that have been
published (for
follow-ups),
provide the number
as a reference.
Addresses,
telephone numbers,
and Web sites are placed in a group,
separate from the text, at the end of this
column under “Sources.”
Q435: “With so many things now
operating wireless (WI-FI) it didn’t
surprise me recently to see a wireless
trainer system being offered for RC
model aircraft. Can you steer me to a
source for these training systems that no
longer require a connecting cable
between two RC transmitters?”
A435: Trainer cables have been available
from most RC manufacturers for many
years. The cables are usually 8-10 feet
long and cost $10-$15.
The master (instructor) and slave
(student) transmitters previously had to
be the same brand to work reliably.
Controls on both transmitters had to be
set up identically so that there was no
difference in aircraft attitude when
switching back and forth between
instructor and student.
Wireless RC trainer systems
Bob Aberle | baberle@? Frequently Asked Questions optonline.net
Also included in this column:
• Emery boards
• Digital wattmeters/ammeters
• Sig Pro-Balancer
• Model Aviation Hall of Fame
Second in Command RC sells this buddy box or trainer system. The
wireless interface allows instructor and student to use separate
receivers and transmitters, regardless of signal technology.
The Watt’s Up meter can display motor current, voltage, watts of
input power, and the amount of mAh going into or out of the
battery. This device comes with an excellent 35-page manual.
A common emery board with sandpaper adhered to one or both
sides can be used to expand a tight-fitting slot in a model kit. Most
drugstores sell these sticks.
This is Futaba’s wireless trainer system. The
instructor’s transmitter can operate on 50
MHz, 72 MHz, or 2.4 GHz, but the student
must use a Futaba 2.4 GHz FASST transmitter.
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March 2010 69
The application diagrams provided with the Watt’s Up meter,
which modelers will find helpful. They eliminate much of the
guesswork.
Right: Sig’s Pro-
Balancer helps
establish a model’s
CG and will balance
propellers. It offers
more support than
p i n p o i n t - t y p e
balancers.
Right: Bob’s new park RC Aerobatics design rests on the Pro-
Balancer’s two movable beams. The model is slightly noseheavy,
which is what he wants for this particular model.
independently programmed for both pilots
(instructor and student) up to six channel
functions. The instructor can give a student
full or partial control of the aircraft. The
company mentioned many more
advantages on the Web site.
I noticed that Futaba has also come out
with a Wireless Trainer System (item
WTR-7), for $100. It’s dedicated to Futaba
RC-system products.
The instructor can use a Futaba 50
MHz, 72 MHz, or 2.4 GHz transmitter.
However, the student’s transmitter must be
a 2.4 GHz FASST (Futaba Advanced
Spread Spectrum Technology) system.
The claim is that one push button is all
it takes to program and link to a student’s
transmitter. The range of the buddy box is
reported to be roughly 30 feet.
Q436: “I’m assembling a model aircraft
from a laser cut parts kit. There are many
slots used in the construction so that one
part locks into another keeping everything
aligned properly.
“My problem is that many of the slots
don’t readily accept the mating part. I tried
to open a few slots with my X-Acto blade
and found that I removed too much, so the
parts were loose fitting. Is there a better
way to do this?”
A436: Even in the best laser-cut kits,
sometimes the choice of material makes it
necessary to slightly enlarge a slot. One of
the best ways I’ve found to do this is to
use a common emery board (which people
use to groom fingernails). They are readily
available at any drugstore. One side (or
both in some cases) of each stick has
sandpaper attached.
Insert the emery board into the slot and
work it up and down a few times; that will
enlarge the opening a bit. Then your
mating part should fit more easily. Buy a
package of these sticks and keep them on
hand for similar kinds of situations.
Q437: “I’ve been told by several local
modeler friends that the very first thing I
should buy as an electric modeler is a
digital ammeter/wattmeter. How do you
feel about that and what product do you
recommend?”
A437: I’ve been telling modelers for years
that the first thing they need when starting
with electric-powered flight is a meter that
can read motor current and extrapolate
into power input, measured in watts. If
you try to guess without a meter, you are
going to have either too much power and
cook the motor or ESC or too little power
and your airplane will fall out of the sky—
trusting that you got it into the sky in the
first place.
Several brands of these digital meters
have been on the hobby market for years.
They average $60, regardless of the brand,
and work close to the same way, providing
nearly the same amount of parameter
readouts.
However, one meter stands out because
it offers a lot of good documentation to go
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alon g with the product. RC Ele ctronics
Cars and Planes sells a product identified as
the Watt’s Up RC Battery Watt Meter and
Power Analyzer (model WU100).
Find this item on the company’s Web
site, and click on “watt meter connection
diagram” on that page. The illustrations
show four applications for this meter.
If you click on the “Watt’s Up” user
manual on that page, you will access a PDF
that contains 35 pages of all-encompassing
instructions for this product. The diagrams
and manual are what I think are most
impressive.
Q438 : “Like man y modelers I have used
two dowels, stuck into a block of wood, with
pencil erasers placed on top of each dowel as
a means of balancing my models. I place my
plane on these dowels, at the noted center of
gravity position, then observing the attitude
of the plane. I add or remove weights until
the aircraft is perfectly level.
“Although the technique is simple,
keeping the model on the two dowels has
always been a problem. I’ve seen recently
some new ‘balancing gadgets,’ have you tried
any of these?”
A438: I have tried Sig Manufacturing’s Pro-
Balancer (item SIGSH900), and I’ve used it
on models weighing as few as 4 ounces. The
claim is for a maximum aircraft weight of 33
pounds.
This device serves two purposes; it will
help balance your model and will allow you
to balance propellers. The kit contains lasercut
plywood parts that require assembly. No
cutting is necessary, and putting the Pro-
Balancer together requires both cement and
machine screws.
Rather than have your aircraft sit on two
dowels, this device has two movable
beams—the key feature—that can rotate
freely on two ball bearings. An adjustable
weight at the end of each beam allows you to
level it. Then you place the airplane on the
beam, with the CG position lined up with the
two ball bearings (actually the beam’s pivot
point).
Two adjustable stops allow you to
position the model on the beam. At this point
your airplane might go nose-down or taildown,
depending on whether it’s nose- or
tail-heavy. All you need to do is add weight
(nose or tail) to achieve a level position. Then
the aircraft is balanced.
The fact that the airplane rests firmly on
both beams makes the balancing process
much easier. The propeller-balancing feature
is a bonus.
The Pro-Balancer’s list price is $39.99. It
definitely beats my old “two-dowel”
approach.
Q439: “I have a local modeler friend in mind
who I feel should be the recipient of the
Model Aviation Hall of Fame award. Can
you give me an idea as to the process to make
this happen?”
A439: The best starting place is the AMA
Web site. Under “Museum,” click on “Hall
of Fame.” That will show you who has
received this prestigious award in the almost
40 years.
Clicking on “Hall of Fame nomination”
will take you to a three-page document that
explains the process and includes the
application. The address I have included in
the “Sources” section at the end of this
column will take you there.
Last year, longtime Hall of Fame Selection
Committee chairman and AMA Historian
Norm Rosenstock retired. Having known
Norm for almost 60 years, I congratulate him
on his retirement and thank him for all the
volunteer services he has provided to the
AMA and its members for so many years.
Jerry Neuberger is the new chairman of
the Hall of Fame Selection Committee.
This group consists of one appointed
member for each AMA district and all
former AMA presidents. Each district
committee member must be a Hall of Fame
member. It has been my privilege to be the
AMA District II committee member for the
past seven years.
The deadline for filing Hall of Fame
applications is March 31 of the award year.
Voting takes place during the latter part of
April and May. The honorees are notified in
July. If you think someone in your area
qualifies for the Model Aviation Hall of
Fame, submit that nomination now. MA
Sources:
2icrc
28914 Roadside Dr. Ste. F-4
Agoura Hills CA 91301
www.2icrc.com/index.html
Futaba FASST
(217) 398-8970
http://2.4gigahertz.com
RC Electronics Cars and Planes
(408) 705-1980
www.rc-cars-planes.com
Sig Manufacturing Co.
(641) 623-5154
www.sigmfg.com
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