Radio Control: Electrics
Amazing and very much appreciated - that's what the slow but steady growth in Ni-Cd battery technology over the last two-plus decades has been. My first floundering E-flights occurred 1972-73 - when just about nothing for E-power was available at any hobby shop, including batteries. This was a time of "do it all yourself" with a struggle! I remember struggling to rewind Radio Shack and other toy motors to make them (somewhat) more suitable for the flight task at hand. And I recall the exasperation of trying to fit unwilling gears and a suitable prop to them. Then there was the small, light, homemade super-regen receiver and Adams actuator. And I still see myself trying to power the whole works with an old receiver pack comprised of four button cells that had to be charged overnight in classic manner. (There was no such thing as high-rate charging then.)
Radio Control: Electrics
THIS MONTH'S topics include information on a commercial version of the End of Charge Beeper, an End of Charge Beeper upgrade, and some comment on tiny E-RC. The End of Charge Beeper (March 1997 column) was being considered as a potential product. (The EOCB is a simple device used in conjunction with your present motor battery charger to audibly signal when the charger has shut down.) I'm happy to announce the availability of a ready-built version. The product name is Lil Beep! and is available from New Creations R/C, Box 496, Willis TX 77378; Tel.: (409) 856 4630. The price is $19.95.
Radio Control: Electrics
THIS MONTH'S discussion covers two meet announcements, some varied Electric products and supplier info, NEAC, follow-up on the Large Pack Slow Charger, and more on the EOCB. Joe Beshar is CD of The Exclusively Electric Fly In hosted by the Old Time Eagles on May 16, 1998 at the club field in Hope NJ. This is a gathering for the promotion of all kinds of Electric-powered models. The club welcomes all participants, spectators, and vendors. Prizes and surprises are planned. Plan on charging from your car and bring your own food for the day. For more info, contact Joe at 198 Merritt Drive, Oradell NJ 07649; Tel.: (201) 261-1281, Fax: (201) 261-0223. Tim McDonough of the Knights of the Air RC club announces the second Land of Lincoln Electric Fly June 13-14 in Springfield IL. Last year's meet drew attendance from seven states, and based on my own experience with good E-meets, I'd expect to see several more states represented this year. Contact Tim at 127 S. Oaklane Rd., Springfield IL 62707; E-mail: tpm@inw.net.
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.)
