Radio Control: Electrics
THIS MONTH WE HAVE one Electric Connection, a meet announcement, several new Electric products, a new Electric video, some REVOLT! followup, and a unique speed-control study. This month's Electric Connection is Bill Thomas, Box 284, Otis KS 67565; Tel.:(913) 387-2577. Bill has been a modeler for 20+ years and two years ago gave Electric a try. Not surprisingly, it's now a major interest for him. But Bill is describing himself as "one of the unfortunate ones..." who can't find anyone nearby who is interested in Electric. He'd like to hear from others of the Electric inclination in his area, and I'd like to hear that you folks have responded.
Radio Control: Electrics
THIS COLUMN WILL COVER some big USA/FAI news, some industry news, more motor alternatives, and more speed-control stuff. Steve Neu, the man who dazzled hundreds at KRC in past years with his FAI Electrics, called to tell me of the '94 E-Power FAI meet results. This year's gathering of world competitors took place in Australia in November, and the results are very exciting: the US Team took second overall, with team member Jerry Bridgeman taking individual first place. But-related big news is that the US Team was outfitted with custom Aveox brushless motors! The team's motor controls were designed and individually built by Steve for extreme compactness. He tells me that the Aveox FAI motor and his motor controller measured 90% efficiency at 3000 watts on his dynamometer-to me an unheard-of achievement. Congratulations, team! And guess what? Some other international teams are now carefully studying brushless technology!
Radio Control: Electrics
Randy Smithhisler of Puyallup, Washington wrote to tell me of a newly formed club-the Puget Sound Silent Flyers-and its first scheduled activity. The club will be hosting a symposium/workshop at the Prestigase Museum of Flight in Seattle April 1-2. The gathering will feature guest speakers, a display of Electric models, and related products and Electric demonstrations. Randy is inviting modelers to bring Electrics and/or related items for display purposes. More details from Randy at 1703 105th Ave. Ct. E., Puyallup WA 98372; Tel.: (206) 927-4672. Azarr, the Event Coordinator for the '94 Competition Fun-Fly Nationals, wrote to tell me of last year's event and the two Electric entries by Don Belfort and Doug Ingraham. This Electric participation was a first for this annual activity.
Radio Control: Electrics
THIS COLUMN WILL COVER the Electric Connection Service, a November 1994 column clarification, a photo contest reminder, some new Electric products, more on microprocessor-controlled speed controls, and a seasonal closing query. Doug Ingraham leads off this month's ECS, and his name may sound familiar: Doug is the modeler behind Lofty Pursuits speed control products (2274 Aster Ct. Rapid City SD 57702) and also serves as a design consultant for at least one other major manufacturer's speed control products.
Radio Control: Electrics
THIS MONTH I'll cover the Electric Connection Service (ECS), a safety story, the Shadow of REVOLT!, several new Electric products, and some additional Electric Control Line thoughts. James Kase is this month's ECS modeler. He resides at 1840 Cambridge, Flossmoor IL 60422. James would like to find others nearby to share in the fun of Electric, so I'm asking those in the vicinity to get in touch with him. More than one Electric club has come about by just such action, and here's another opportunity. Let me know how it works out. One local E-modeler is a science teacher by profession, and when the opportunity presents itself, he shares things Electric with his junior high class. He recently used a seven-cell gear-drive Electric to demonstrate motor operation principles. The demo for the eager ninth-graders included live measurement of voltage, current, and rpm over the throttle range.
