Pulsemaster 64
PULSES: They're the heartbeat of nearly all modern RC systems. They're used to tell the servo what position to assume. They're sent out of the transmitter in a serial stream, channel #1 first, channel #2 second, and so on, until they've all been transmitted. After the last of the channels is sent, the transmitter sends out a "sync" pulse to tell the receiver that it's through, and then it starts the process all over again. In a typical system, the length of each pulse varies between one millisecond and two milliseconds, depending upon the position of the stick associated with that channel. What's a millisecond? It's a thousandth of a second. It's 1,000 microseconds. It's a pretty short period of time. A typical seven-channel transmitter can send out all the pulses necessary to control seven servos in about 22 milliseconds (1/45th of a second), including some time for electronic "housekeeping."
Sunspots
"SIX METERS: Results on 50 MHz have been outstanding in Cycle 22, and amateur use of this band is growing all the time. Look for Europe and Africa, as J53US has been worked in Colorado as well as on the east coast and in VE1 Land." The preceding message was broadcast by the American Radio Relay League* (ARRL) station, call sign W1AW, in Newington, CT on December 23, 1988 as part of a daily bulletin transmitted to all radio amateurs. The bulletin gives information concerning how radio signals are being propagated on a given date and whether or not conditions for talking to distant stations are favorable.
