Pulse Mini-lab
This multipurpose test accessory will be useful to all RCers. It's a compact, all-in-one instrument array ("lab") including a servo driver, a pulse-measurement system, and an internal calibrator. The Pulse Mini-Lab (PML) accurately measures the control signal behavior of your radio system and duplicates it independent of the radio. It is built entirely from inexpensive and readily available Radio Shack and hobby store parts. It is powered with six alkaline pencells and can drive any servo or Electronic Speed Control (ESC) with which I am familiar. Any modeler with some soldering ability and the usual modeling tools can build the PML.
Radio Control: Electrics
THIS MONTH'S TOPICS include two meet announcements, continuing End-of-Charge Beeper (EOCB) information, the Electric Flight Call, reader input, parts supplies, and beginners' E-power perplexion. Colin McKinley, 4003 Poindexter Ave., Winston Salem NC 27106; Tel.: (336) 924-5890 announces RAM meet for May 3, practice May 2 for AULD etc. Mike Stewart, 107 Taft Terrace, Washington NJ 07882; Tel.: (908) 689-6981 announces LVRCS meet, Easton PA for June 13-14. Interest in the EOCB continues in high gear; new things seem to be happening all the time. The EOCB was manufactured by John McCullough and was available through New Creations R/C; the kit version was available directly from John. Just weeks later, things have changed. John has found it necessary to discontinue his production activities because of some personal business considerations. This applies to the EOCB and the EOCB kit. (John had also discontinued production of the Pinion Press, described in the January 1998 column.)
Radio Control: Electrics
THIS MONTH'S topics include two meet announcements, how to get your meet info in this column, some history and thoughts on Electric and Electric meets, and continuing discussion about Electric beginner confusion. The DEAF club of Texas (Dallas Electric Aircraft Flyers) announces a Fun Electric Event for June 27-28. The location is the Irving, Texas RC Club field-site of the '97 Scale Masters meet. There are at least nine "fun" events scheduled, but no formal AMA events. Five bucks covers both days, and you can get full details from Jim Bourke, 501 Goodwin, Richardson TX 75081; Tel.: (972) 680-0220; E-mail: [email protected]. I routinely announce E-meets in this column. I'm always eager to do this, but I have to have the information early for it to be useful. Consider the DEAF announcement. I received the information about two weeks ago-about two weeks after I submitted the June-issue column. The best I could do is include it here. But this issue of MA won't be in readers' hands until late May - marginal for a meet in June. Here's how this works:
Radio Control: Electrics
The KRC 19th Annual Electric Fly is scheduled for September 18-20 at the Queen City Airport in Allentown PA. This is the same super location as the last two years, but with even more field improvements and a greatly improved on-site Saturday Dinner/Social. The field opens mid-Friday afternoon for early arrivals, and remains open throughout the weekend. The meet will offer all the familiar high-class activities, including an unmatched raffle, demos, many popular vendors, all kinds of low-key events, and just plain open flying. KRC is well-established as the place to see everything that Electric has to offer. You can get a multipage detailed mailer from meet manager Durell Leister, 116 Falcon Way, Plymouth Meeting PA 19462; Tel.: (610) 825-7758. The KRC Web site is www.krc.org.
Servo Cycler
The Servo Cycler is a simple, low-cost, easily built test accessory for the serious modeler. It automatically cycles servos throughout their range of motion in a very controlled manner. This precision servo drive causes most servo or installation anomalies to stand right out and get your attention. For example, it's not uncommon for servo pots to wear near servo neutral and cause some surface jitter. Or sometimes servo-to-surface linkage may bind somewhere in the displacement range. The Cycler can highlight such problems with ease.
