Radio Technique
MY INVOLVEMENT in Helicopters has taught me that the public loves them. For example, all I have to do is put an RC Helicopter on the lawn and people passing by in automobiles will stop, folks will flock in from all over the neighborhood, and the questions start flowing. It seems that all airplanes should have jets (in the common view), so there isn't very much interest in airplanes with propellers on the nose-unless the model happens to be a large and colorful Scale model. On the other hand, everyone sees one or more full-scale helicopters flying overhead every day, so the public identifies with Helicopters, large and small. The fact that I can fly the model, safely, in my yard makes the model even more attractive. (I fly in a space bounded by houses and fences, so children and animals can't run into danger without first meeting interference.)
Radio Technique
USING the new frequencies. Please understand: I am writing this in September 1982, in anticipation of an FCC report and order assigning us the long-needed new channels. The following manufacturers have made known their willingness to convert your existing equipment for use on the new channels (listed below): Manufacturer, Conversion Service Airtronics, Exchange crystals, retune.* Circus Hobbies, Exchange crystals, retune.* Futaba, Exchange crystals, retune.* World Engines, Exchange crystals, retune.* Kraft, Exchange modules-$30. *Cost: $10. (Probably limited-time offer.)
Radio Technique
I SEEM to run my hobby life in one-year increments. For example, 1979 was spent developing the technique of towing RC Sailplanes behind RC power planes (see "High Tow," MA, January 1980); 1980 was spent developing my version of the Ace RC Silver Seven transmitter (RT August and October 1980 and February 1981); 1981 was spent racing RC sailboats; and now 1982 has gone to RC Helicopters, gyros and the Watson Stabilizer. Some of my friends (notably Bob Aberle) wonder when I'll get back to designing and building model airplanes again. I keep a few projects going on the back burner, so we'll just have to wait and see on that. But for now, I'm off on my latest crusade!
Radio Technique
WHAT WILL WE DO with the new frequencies? In the January 1983 issue, I spoke of the new RC channels in terms of anticipation and gave some manufacturers' prices for conversions of "old" equipment. Now we can speak of our new RC channels as fact (as of December 20, 1982) and add some more data on conversion prices. Ace RC, Inc. (1) Conversion of Ace or Pro-Line RF deck in the transmitter: $10. (2) Conversion of Silver Seven or Pro-Line receiver: $12.50. (3) Exchange Digital Commander receiver for a Silver Seven receiver: $20.
Radio Technique
SELDOM do I receive a letter that so precisely accords with my intentions for a column! I replied to Don in a letter which forms the basis for this column. Naturally, the letter was a bit shorter, and had no figures, but I hope that it helped him. Many who have taken an elementary course in electricity will have built an electric motor. In rudimentary form, we use a piece of iron stuck on a shaft, in the manner of a propeller. We wind a coil of copper wire about the iron, bringing the coil ends out along the shaft on one end, at opposite sides of the shaft diameter. Fastening the wires in place with an insulating material, we use the assembly to make electrical contact with the coil and we call it the commutator.
