Radio Technique
VARIETY is the key word for this month's column. I've got a bunch of short- and medium-length subjects this time. To start off, the March 1987 column on tachometers prompted Dr. James Scheiman (Hampton, VA) to write to Nor-Cal Avionics in California in an attempt to purchase an Accutach II. He got his postcard back labeled "Return to sender," which prompted him to send it to me with his request for a new address. MA's publisher, Carl Wheeley, came up with a telephone number. I called it and got to talk with an answering machine. Shortly afterward, Len Horan called me back to explain that Nor-Cal is now a Division of A-B Tech, 5689 Glasgow, Troy, MI 48098.
Radio Technique
CORRECTION: In response to a recommendation I made in the May 1987 column, Futaba says that the Conquest PCM is not narrow-band at this time. My recommendation was based on the result of testing one sample, which was very good. I apologize for misleading you. Made in the U.S.A. If someone were to ask me if there are any RC systems made in the U.S., I'd have to say that only Ace R/C, Inc., Cannon, and Royal Electronics remain to "show the flag" at this time, so far as I know. We hear that Ace R/C, Inc. is almost ready to release narrow-band AM and FM versions of the excellent Silver Seven systems. Bill Cannon has already shown his "SuperMicro" narrow-band system at the WRAM Show.
Radio Technique
SOME NEWS about flying over Long Island, NY. The subject matter of my column for this month may seem far removed from my usual treatment of the various technical aspects associated with our hobby, but if you'll bear with it I'll make my point later on. I have recently retired from my job in the aerospace industry, a fact which is supposed to give me more time for flying RC models. When my friend, Nick Ziroli, called up and invited me to accompany him on a visit to the Manorville RC Flyers (SMRCF, AMA chartered club No. 2161) to learn about their new airfield, I accepted the offer.
Radio Technique
BASIC TRAINING. I'm teaching basic RC flying again, after a little layoff. My current student is Stan Harris, and his plane is the Goldberg Eagle which is powered by an OS Max .45. Stan built his airplane correctly, broke in the engine at home, and cycled the radio on the workbench (by charging the batteries, then running them down again a couple of times while building the plane and making the radio installation). When he comes to the field, Stan brings a field box equipped with fuel, tools, spare glow plugs, spare props, etc. All of this is very important. When we got to the field for the first training session, we found that only three test flights were required to make the final control throw adjustments, set the trims, and take care of other little items that made the airplane ready for use as a trainer. The significant point is that the airplane hasn't been modified since those three test flights. This has simplified Stan's training, because we don't have to waste any time retesting the plane before each session. In fact, we don't even have to make needle valve adjustments. A very high percentage of Stan's RC system's battery charge is spent on training time in the air.
Radio Technique
RC IN RURAL AMERICA. I'm accustomed to building models on Long Island, NY where well-stocked hobby shops are seldom more than 15 minutes from where you are. On vacation, I visited my daughter, Lee Anne, and her husband, Corey J. Larsen (and my grandchildren, of course), at their home in Preston, ID (population 3,759), where I found a different situation. When I decided to build a model with my grandson, Caleb, I found that the nearest reasonably stocked hobby shop was not only 30 miles away in Logan, UT, but that it occupies a back corner in a children's toy store. Simple things like pushrods and propellers require a hunt to find. Everything you want is scarce.
