Radio Technique
Abstract: Reader letters; intimate Ni-Cd details; capacity formulas; Caring for Ni-Cd batteries: Part 6 - Ni-Cd peculiarities. FIRST, the letters: 1) Walter H. Rady (Newport, NH) writes: "Dear George - I am just getting started in electric flight...Charging the batteries properly was the single most important thing I was confused about, but your articles have spelled out the requirements in a very understandable way. "My charger only had a timer cutoff, so the batteries were overcharged many times. The resultant decrease in capacity was evident over the months that I flew the model. I already know what happens when the charger fails and sends AC through the batteries all night. You are left with seven stainless steel tubes and a fuselage full of white stuff. "The class I want to compete in doesn't allow battery charging during the contest, so I will only be charging overnight at the C/10 rate. My question is, 'Can I put a pot in the leads of the Polk's Multi-Charge-A-Matic, so that the charging current can be cut to 90 mA, and will the voltage drop detector still function if I do?'"
Radio Technique
I SAID in my February 1989 column that I would take a Lanier Seabird with me on my trip to Alaska. But it turned out to be too bulky, so I made a last-minute decision to take a Lanier Laser instead. The Laser stored neatly out of the way on the ceiling of the van, on bungees. (Bungees are long, cloth-covered rubberbands, about 5/16 in. in diameter and fitted with hooks on the ends.) I'm back in New York again, after a wonderful summer in Alaska. One of the smarter things I did in preparing for this trip was to remove the screws holding the interior moldings on the van's windows, one at a time, and slip on a swivel hanger meant for hanging pictures before putting each screw back.
Radio Technique
FLIGHT PACKS: What are all of the manufacturers up to now? They have their engineers concentrating on top-of-the-line crystal-controlled transmitters (Tx) which feature computer memories that store the settings, servo directions, mixing, throws, etc. for a bunch of airplanes. But: WHAT GOOD ARE THEY, IF YOU CAN'T BUY FLIGHT PACKS FOR THE OTHER PLANES? (Editor's note: A flight pack is the part of your RC system which goes in your plane. RMcM) Many modelers have complained to me about the high cost and general unavailability of flight packs. They say that although you can buy servos, battery packs, and switch harnesses over the counter, it's the receivers (Rx's) which are hard to find. I gave some of my money to the phone companies to learn if that's true.
RC Flying Today: A New Midwest Flying Field
LYLE STOLFUS, RR#1, Fredericksburg, IA [tel.: (319) 237-5807] called in response to my article, "Where can I fly?" in the October '91 issue of MA. Lyle wants us to know that he has converted four acres of his farm into a model airport (MAPT). He has named it the North Four Flying Field. There is a 650 × 65-ft. sod runway, aligned north/south to suit the prevailing winds; parking for 100 cars; plus big spool-type tables with tie-downs for models and electric lights for packing up after dark. There are no problems, except for bugs in season.
RC Flying Today: Get Your Own Flying Site!
THIS STORY started in 1985, when the last model flying site within the boundaries of Teaneck, New Jersey and surrounding towns was closed. Joe Beshar (198 Merritt Drive, Oradell, New Jersey 07649) decided that the time had come to buy some land in Bergen County, New Jersey for use as a flying site. Who could afford it? Joe made an official presentation to the Bergen County Freeholders (county government) on the subject of an official model airport. The theme of the presentation had four parts:
