ParkZone Sonic Combat

[Moonbeam]

Hey Folks!!
I'm very new to RC combat (though I filmed the mayhem at SEFF 2009 with my Slow Stick high above the action), and noticed that no one was doing Park Zone Sonic Combat. (Or at least I don't see anything in these threads).

O.K., sure. I can expect the first reply to be, "maybe because it's crap", or "it ain't popular". But honestly I've heard lots about a big HobbyZone Super Cub Sonic Combat craze.

With the newer P-51, the soon to arrive BF-109, and other PZ Warbirds, I would think folks would be all over it.

There's an upgrade available to make the Sonic Combat module work on any plane (as opposed to the original proprietary plugs), which opens the field to anything.

I saw several threads about the system, but was surprised to see there's no thread here about the combat itself.

Anybody doing Sonic Combat???

[Twister773]

it does seem like it would be fun

[rcozstyle]

I would buy a plane and module just to do combat.

[IH8VTEC]

I saw your post in the 109 thread. Sounds like fun. I'm sure Parkzone would love the idea seeing as how my lhs stocks every one of their replacement parts. At my field we would need stock and modified classes. Everyone at my field has either a T-28 or F4U so no shortage of contestants.

[stoneenforcer]

I think the issue is the stock radio. I'm not sure my dx7 will activate the module.

[iacei]

Problem is, there are few combat systems and even fewer systems compatible with all planes.

The most easy solution is to buy a sonic combat module (20$ ebay or hobbyzone) and then to buy an X-port interface from Mr Rc-cam (http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=1091813) or build it yourself (you can buy him kits) or buy another version from competitors like http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_5863487/anchors_5863487/mpage_1/key_EZ%252DXPORT/anchor/tm.htm#5863487
.

There is another interface too which is called air-commander (most advanced system) but the guy does not answer and it is more expensive (35 $ + 11$ shipping to EU)

[Moonbeam]

Maybe I didn't state that in the 1st post, but that's exactly what I'm talking about. You can get the adapter which allows the module to work with ANY system. Air-Commander is one of the makers of the adapter.

Here's the post text from the other thread. (For SEFF, since there's time restraints, we could just have 4 guys go 2v2).

COMBAT!!!

What do you guys think of this silly idea?

SEFF 2010 ParkZone Warbird Combat!!

BL P-51s vs BL BF-109s!!!
Corsairs & T-28s too! (And just wait until they come out with the new Spit & 190!!)

We would use the Sonic Combat Module with the following adapter (which makes it work with ANY Rx), http://air-commander.com/index.php/...terface_module/

We team up in groups of 4 to 8 depending on turn out. And we can do it by Fighter Groups as well (which would be sweet IMHO), 352nd FG, 357th FG, 361st FG, so on. Same with the Germans and their BF-109s.

When your plane is hit, it disables the motor for 3 seconds. The adapter allows you to adjust that time, but we would do 3 seconds. When you are hit, you must land!! And since you "fire" by using a switch, there's no fear of killing your team mates, unless you're just THAT mean!!

We will have spotters for each pilot, their job is to count the kills their pilot makes, and ensure he lands when hit and doesn't cheat. Points will be awarded in the following catagories:

1. Last team in the air (winners of that battle).

2. Pilot with the most kills.

3. Team that destroys opposing team the fastest.

*4*- or to make it quicker, the battle can only last 5 minutes. (This way we don't hog a bunch of SEFF flying time.)

This could be done as a team playoff, only if there's enough participants. Lets say there's 4 Mustang teams & 4 109 teams.

Mustang T.1 vs 109 T.1
Mustang T.2 vs 109 T.2
Mustang T.3 vs 109 T.3
Mustang T.4 vs 109 T.4

The winner of Team 1 and Team 2 battles play each other.
The winner of Team 3 and Team 4 battles play each other.

The winning two teams of those battles face off in the finals.

It could even end up same plane type against same plane type! FPRIVATE "TYPE=PICT;ALT="

We could have prizes for the winners: Champion team, Top ACE, Quickest Team Victory.

Park Zone Warbirds...... a NEW Sport.


And if we put these little cameras on our planes, it'll make for great "gun cam" footage on the BIG screen on Saturday night!!

[iacei]

I just received my combat modules, interfaces will follow this week so I will soon battle against other planes.

But we will use RC Cam's interface which makes the motor stutter and not cut.

[Driggs]

I just received my combat modules, interfaces will follow this week so I will soon battle against other planes.

But we will use RC Cam's interface which makes the motor stutter and not cut.
who did you order your interface from, i think im going to try this (it will work with the spectrum stuff right?)

[iacei]

you just have to send the money to Mr Rc Cam with paypal but you can pm him before.

Have a look here: http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=1091813

Yes it will be compatible with 2.4Ghz Technology

[Driggs]

you just have to send the money to Mr Rc Cam with paypal but you can pm him before.

Have a look here: http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=1091813

Yes it will be compatible with 2.4Ghz Technology
thanks for the info

[madpatter]

Moonbeam, I am IN...
I just need some cash, how about I take a look at ours when you get it hooked up. I am SURE we can get Joe on board as well. Can I use the Corsair or a GWS or are we talking PZone only?

[iacei]

Hi Just made my first fly with the sonic combat module, it s really fun but on my flying wing I barely feel the consequence when I am hit (throttle stuttering with the Rc Cam interface) I would recommend to try another interface which cuts the motor

Good thing is that the score is readable at the end with a blinking led.

Watch out, when you fight you fly like crazy so stay up in the sky.

[johnpcunningham]

I'm sure glad someone is getting into the Sonic Combat Module. These Parkzone (and others) warbirds were made for combat!!! We use these module s all of the time. I developed the EZ-XPORT to allow any radio to work with the XPORT modules and have been selling them world wide. Here is a review of it as well as other links showing the EZ-XPORT and sonic modules on the PZ planes.

Review
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1105533

Corsair
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=921444

T-28
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1089084

[robtest]

I had the module in my t-28 on the rtf radio...

But I glitched at that dang spot down the left side of the field there at St.Mtn and went thru the phone wires, ripped the wings off and the fuselage landed, bounced (throwing off the canopy) and landed 50 yards away.

I was surprised that the only real damage was a 2"x1" chunk out of the wings, but needless to say, I replaced the stock FM receiver with a 2.4 ghz spectrum AR-500.

That being said (have to show you the repair later!), I wouldn't be opposed to trying the addon module. BTW, I have one of the new P-40s on the way too.

[dee-grose]

Rob, the EZ-XPORT is just what you need now. Very simple solution as you can see in my review that John linked above. Buy one...you'll be glad you did! :D

EDIT: Better buy two...one for the P-40, right?

Andy

[iacei]

Hi,

I have a problem with our sonic combat modules, the range is really too short we have only a 2meter range which is very short and dangerous and difficult. Does someone know how to boost it?

[kieran3008]

i would love to get one, buut all my models have a four channel transmitter so i wouldent be able to activate it? not sure how it works, if i could get like a trigger on the back of the transmitter somehow would be awesome!

[iacei]

If you don t have an dedicated channel to shoot you can shoot using the throttle, max thottle = 1 shoot
Then you have to "reload"

It works with the rccam interface

[kieran3008]

i think i will just save up with my friend and both buy a parkzone warbird and add the module to that!

[johnpcunningham]

kieran3008,

Yep - it is better to save up and get one of the PZ warbirds for sure, but there is an alternative. If you are using a 4 channel radio on a 3 channel plane, you could use the rudder to fire the Sonic Combat Module. Just pull the stick in hard left direction and that would do it. You might have to swap the rudder directional control to do it.

The EZ-XPORT mostly works on any open port and is looking for the "high" or "full on" pulse to fire the module.


JC

[CFisher1421]

Wow. !

Gotta say...my buddy CooHead and I finally got to try out the Sonic combat stuff today.

What a blast!

We even had a mid-air that took out his aileron! We were using JohnCunningham's EX-XPort module mounted on a PZ T28 and a P51 Kit - not sure the make. The planes were fairly evenly matched. We're kicking ourselves for not having video. :o

Absolute blast guys - I thought it might be tough to actually "hit" the other plane...but it worked out really well. I need to work out a better trigger system...and it is a challenge to fly AND get close enough to the other guy...we had some close calls with Mother Earth...but that's as much fun as we had in a long time.

[kenny_dilger]

How does the Sonic module work? What is the trigger?

[CFisher1421]

How does the Sonic module work? What is the trigger?
There's a review recently on the EZ-XPort board somewhere on RCGroups.

Right now, I simply have the sonic module connected to the EZ-XPort which in-turn is connected to a spare channel on the Rx. In my case, on the DX7, this is the gear channel. You flip the gear switch down to 'fire' and up to 'reload'.

It's a little cumbersome to work the left stick and fire at the same time the way I'm doing it. Mr. C (sorry, I'm a little lazy) who sells the EZ-XPort, posted somewhere that he's modded his DX7 with a momentary NC switch.

I see the benefit.

We'll no doubt eventually have some sort of casualty - either with the ground or mid-air - so you probably don't want to use this on your best airframe - but trying to knock your buddy out of the sky is really tough to beat on the fun scale. :) :)

[dee-grose]

There's a review recently on the EZ-XPort board somewhere on RCGroups.

Here's a link to my review:

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1105533

Also, go back to page one of this thread to see John Cunningham's comments.

Glad you guys are having fun with the sonic combat. I need to find somebody to dogfight with soon.

Andy

[Belem]

I've flown the sonic combat module with my supercub - it's the most fun I've had flying.

Just bought that ez-xport and plan to get a sonic combat module on my T28.

[GiusedtoBe]

I just got the EZ Xport from John and it is a blast. The only problem we have is that my nephew's PZ spitfire is modded with a brushless and add on ESC. It still uses the stock Tx and Rx. It will activate the SCM but won't be disabled when hit. He is very cautious and afraid of a midair so I was the aggressor w/ my E-Flite P-47 even though he could not be killed. Chased him all over the sky and he would go straight up to get away. Finally got one audible kill as it seems the only thing that will kill is a tail shot from 20' or less.

Now if I can only get his Dad to rig up his shiny new GWS P-40, we can have some epic combat. I am re-building my modified PZ FW so I will be the Luftwaffe and outnumbered 2:1. His P-40 is done in RAF N. African scheme so w/ my Afrika Korp. paint it should be about right.

Much fun I highly recommend.
Alan

[Belem]

Here are some photos of adding the ez-xport to my T-28

You can see that I've swapped out the stock AR500 with an AR6200 that I had picked up. I did this so I could play with flapperons. Tried them out for the first time tonight as well and like the effect on landing.
Anyway, the ez-xport is velcroed to the fuse and the wire down thru the wing.

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_Hy9giWsYihY/SwCyq9xwh_I/AAAAAAAAA1o/Xg3ynkGG6Ug/s800/DSC04885.JPG


Here's a view from the bottom. I sunk the plug in a bit and hot glued it into place.

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_Hy9giWsYihY/SwCyvJpTs6I/AAAAAAAAA10/nvmCByaHAwM/s800/DSC04888.JPG

Then I took the bracket off the drop module and added some velcro.

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_Hy9giWsYihY/SwCysJHIJhI/AAAAAAAAA1s/otGrha9ybFg/s800/DSC04886.JPG

Runs off of the gear switch. Made several successful drops to the kids tonight. Hoping to get some sonic combat in this week after work.