are there any?

[zerop51]

i have been into anything rc for many years. i also like electronics but am not very knolegable on the terms and there meanings(such as blank amount of milliamps = blank amount of amps. or what transducer and such as that are).

laymens terms or explanations would be nice.


i am taking a class on electronics next year and would like to do a project to show my teacher.

anyways i was wondering if there was a DIY kit or parts that you can buy or manufactuered kits to make a 3 and/or up channel transmitter( that are affordable that a 15 yr old kit buy/make).



I THINK IT WOULD BE FUN BUT/AND CHALLENGING!

thanks
zero

[vintage1]

The prpblem these days is that to set up a transmitter so that its street legal requires access to about $3000 of test equipment.

Likewise the electronics is not too bad, but finding sticks and cases is.

[slipstick]

anyways i was wondering if there was a DIY kit or parts that you can buy or manufactuered kits to make a 3 and/or up channel transmitter( that are affordable that a 15 yr old kit buy/make).

You need to say where you live. Different countries have different frequencies, different regulations etc. Some, like the US, won't allow anything other than commercial RC equipment unless you have a Ham Radio ticket. Others have more freedom.

Steve

[vintage1]

I don't think its a case of 'won't allow' so much as 'has to have a sticker of certification'

Checking out a transmitter for unwanted radiation outside the permitted band takes a spectrum analyser essentially.

And to remove it, a deep understanding of electronics.

[FenceMagnet]

I think the last source of RC Radio Kits in the US died back about 20 years ago.... Royal Electronics, a great company by my good friend Sid Gates.... I built an Omega 8 channel transmitter from a kit and still use it today....

:cool:

[Miami Mike]

Here you go, parts to lay out and assemble your own transmitter. It won't be cheap though:

http://www.jensenjetmodels.com/id30.htm

[Acetronics]

:p Hi,Fumes swallowers

A man has designed RC kits for Years ( more than 40 ...years ) :Francis Thobois.
from ol' transistors to microprocessors.

see : http://home.nordnet.fr/~fthobois/

may be you will find stg. interesting here ...

Alain

[zerop51]

thanks guys
i live in south carolina. there isnt much to do around here except fly so i figured that this would take up a good amount of time. i will check those sites. maybe there is hope.... :o

[vintage1]

Hey, there is always time to think, to read, to discuss, to formulate ideas....and it's all dirt cheap entertainment!

[ZAGNUT]

Here you go, parts to lay out and assemble your own transmitter. It won't be cheap though:

http://www.jensenjetmodels.com/id30.htm


depends how you do it. RCG member "apteryx" sells microstar encoder kits at cost for around $50 including PCB and LCD display. this can be stuffed into any old radio that has the room. a good candidate is the old futaba FG series which can be found for very cheap. not really legal but i won't tell anyone...

i've been flying with this radio for about a year and regard it as the very best out there when it comes to programming capability and user friendliness

for the rest of the microstar story including schematics, firmware and manuals go to www.mstar2k.com

dave

[Nightz]

Zerop51,
Maybe easier to start with a receiver, then work your way up to the larger project. Transmiters are a big project. I'd hate for you to give up on electronics out of frustration.

Just a suggestion.

-Rocko

[ZAGNUT]

an encoder build is actually much easier since you don't have to deal with any RF circuits and the tuning that goes along with it. just pure soldering and following directions, and once done it WILL work when connected to a suitable RF deck.

those who have built the microstar RF deck will tell you that it is far more difficult than the much larger encoder. the encoder was my very first electronics project and worked perfectly the first time i applied power


dave

[apteryx]

First, I would suggest going to Gordon Anderson's web site at http://mstar2k.com to see what this is all about. I am doing this at cost, because I like the design, I want to introduce people to great computer RC radio at LOW cost (including myself), I want to encourage building your own (you learn so much more), and I just want to.

There is group of people on the MP8K Yahoogroups list very familiar with the MP8K and MS2K and they are more than happy to help you out (including myself). I can provide a detailed bill of material of what is provided if you request it. You will be surprised at the low cost but there is NO compromise on part quality. I get there through quantity buys and new surplus parts and there is "$0" personal profit. I'm doing this for the reasons stated above. Future kit runs may vary some in price/content because it depends on what is available.


---------------------------------------------------------------------
MS2K ENCODER KIT ...all the parts to be mounted on the board
Includes:
- Gordon Anderson's PC board
- Varitronics MDLS162S65D-HT-LED04 16x2 backlit LCD
- programmed PIC at the latest level (1.1c for this batch)
- the 2 external DIN connectors from Digi-Key
- mating control cable connectors
- parts from Digi-Key
- new surplus parts
- extra SPROM for 16 plane memory

TOTAL cost including shipping in the USA $50
TOTAL cost with optional LCD bezel in the USA $53


---------------------------------------------------------------------
MS2K SYNTHESIZED RF DECK KIT ...all the parts to be mounted on the board for use with the MS2K Encoder. Others are working on the MP8K programming modifications for use with that Encoder. This kit does not support standalone use (without the above Encoders)
Includes:
- Gordon Anderson's PC board- Fully synthesized with PLL (no crystals to buy)
- APT 2N4427 output transistor, heatsink, and thermal grease
- This is a 6m (ham band) only deck (all R/C 50Mhz and 53Mhz frequencies)
- mating cable connectors
- parts from Digi-Key and Mouser
- new surplus parts

TOTAL cost including shipping in the USA $47

--------------------------------------------------------------


MS2K ICP KIT ....all the parts to be mounted on the board
Includes:
- Gordon Anderson's PC board
- parts from Digi-Key
- new surplus parts

TOTAL cost including shipping in the USA $12

------------------------------------------------------------
LCD KIT (for upgrading older kits)
- Extra backlit 16x2 LCD shown in previous posts, a Varitronics MDLS162S65D-HT-LED04
(this is for upgrading older MS2K units if you want)
- includes new resistors required and header strip

TOTAL cost including shipping in the USA $7
TOTAL cost with bezel including shipping in the USA $10

--------------------------------------------------------------
The PulseStar Receiver kits come later

[lazy-b]

guys: I really appreciate Do-it-your-self Kit.....you can really learn at lot from it from actually assemling kits and learn how it works.......I miss HEATHKIT products.....Have build from Test Equipment to computer system using CP/M 80 Operating System.

I thinks, Heathkit, use to offer RC Transmitter set....you even build your own servo.

guys, I am not that old.....it was my father buy the kits and he let me build it......I guess, during those days I am only 15 years old......I just build without understanding how it work, my father do the reading and explainng things.

Ellion

[Rhathid]

My dad has a ton of heathkit stuff around. He built his own osciliscope (sp?) and CB radio's, all kinds of stuff. When he was a kid he build a radio with a tuning meter in it. He sent the schematics too a radio manufacturer and they started using it in their radio's.

He ended up working for Edison for 27 years. Had me wiring stuff up when I was 6. :)

I'm looking at building a transmitter too, but just a 2 channel controlled by software. I just want to control an X and Y axis, nothing fancy at all. I'd even use a futaba transmitter if I had too, but I'd rather build it from scratch incase I want to make 10+ units.

[lazy-b]

Rhathid, Its nice to know your dad build Heathkit products......I have also build a HEATHKIT 6800 microprocessor trainer...I learn BASIC Programming thru Self-Study thru Heath/Zenith Educational system......thats why most of my electronics project is using BASIC language....my computer during those days is TRS-80 Color Computer....my dad bought me a Z80 trainer.....I was only 19 year old during those day....this is where I learn my microprocessor.

Picture taken: 1982....WOW its a 23 years ago picture......I really appreciate old picture, I should have taken more picture during those old days, I guess picture those days is expensive.....Thats why now, I take lots of Digital Picture and Video so that I will appreciate it after 20 years, I just wonder whats the RC techonogy after 20 years, I guess a Radio Control mosquito or Fly or Bees is just a kids toy.

[apteryx]

Yes, Heathkit used to provide RC kits including Servo kits. I still have a few.

The great thing about the MicroStar 2000 kits (see previous notes) is that for less than $100 TOTAL including shipping in the USA ($97 to be exact), you can have a modern computer radio. You just build and substitute the MS2K Encoder board with microprocessor and 2 line backlit LCD for the existing older encoder in a Kraft, Heathkit, ProLine, ACE, Futaba, etc and replace the RF Deck with the MS2K Synthesized RF Deck on 6m ham band (50Mhz or 53Mhz). This will also encourage you to get your Tech (no code) License which means you learn even more about your hobby.

Go to the MS2K web site and see just how much function you will have.

http://www.mstar2k.com