Electronics
SERVOS! The discussion last time left me and I hope, you-with some curiosity about them. I decided to take a closer look at some of those currently available. I discovered some interesting things: Surface Mount Technology (SMT) is the latest in electronic assembly methodology, and includes unique components and assembly methods. It is responsible for all of the extremely small, lightweight, very reliable, inexpensive electronics (in and out of RC) now available to us. Older assembly technology, now referred to as "through-hole," used comparatively large wire-lead-mounted components whose leads were inserted into holes in the printed circuit (PC) board with the part upright, and soldered on the opposite side. Under vibration, they were prone to break the solder joints, and in a crash or heavy shock, inertia would often pull them out of the soldered connection.
Electronics
THE MAIL from the initial columns has been extensive. Thanks for your support, and for giving me an idea of the things that interest you. All mail has and will be answered personally, and that which I consider to be of general interest will be answered here in the pages of MA. Surprisingly enough, the majority of questions have not been about batteries, as they have in the past, but about servos. Dick Lehmann, Wasau WI, condensed most of the notes in his letter: "Please write a column discussing servos. How do they work? What are the differences between the different models? Why are some so much more expensive than the others? Maybe I read the wrong magazines, but I have yet to see a good article on servos."
Electronics
THE MAIL HAS started to come in; thanks to all who wrote, welcoming me to Model Aviation and offering their best wishes! Other mail-just as welcome-arrived with questions, such as from Edward O. Clark III, Columbia SC: "I have two transmitters (Futaba FP-T4NBF): 1) channel 50, damaged beyond repair; 2) channel 36, operable. Can I take the crystal from #50 and use it in the operable transmitter (#36) safely? I have done this on the bench, and it seems to work OK, but I have had varying advice on this issue." I have heard this question often, and I don't remember ever seeing it answered in an instruction manual, for a very good reason: Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations specifically prohibit changing crystals in Radio Control (RC) transmitters!
AMA/IMS Convention '99
THE MODEL TRADE show season typically opens with California's International Modeler Show (IMS) in Pasadena, California the second weekend of the year. The 1999 show, now named AMA/IMS Convention '99, was another first: the Academy's entry into the hobby trade show business, with its purchase of this 22-year-old West Coast tradition. From a spectator's point of view, it was a successful show, with good attendance by 138 exhibitors (some of which had not been seen here in years), and by the modeling public. There was a 20% increase in at-the-door attendance compared to the past five years, based on records kept by the Pasadena Center box office. You can't argue with success!
Electronics
THINK ABOUT THE improvements you would like to see in Radio Control (RC) equipment. We have come a long way since the days when we depended on a rubber band to furnish the muscle to move the rudder; now it often seems as if equipment has been developed as far as it can be. However, that is not the case, and every new series of radios brings some new features. The latest is the Airtronics RD-6000; you can say that it is a refinement of the older Radiant, and there is some truth to that, but the RD-6000 has some previously unheard-of qualities. It is a computer radio-not TOC (Tournament of Champions)-caliber, but with many functions that scare off the uninitiated. However, the RD-6000 has two programs: a Basic one, during which in addition to the normally used stick functions, only servo reverse, End Point Adjustments (servo travel), and Dual Rates are operative. All of that other stuff might as well not be there.
