UK/EU: Inexpensive Telemetry Variometer

[Neil Stainton]

We are pleased to announce that we are the UK distributor of the Classic Sound 139 Variometer. This telemetry vario uses the UK/EU legal 433mhz LPD band to transmit the model's climb or sink rate back to the glider's R/C pilot, who hears a duuut, duut, dut, dut, dit, dit, dit type of sound when entering a thermal. By listening to the varying tone you can centre in the core, and instantly know then you have lost it and have entered a patch of sink.

The vario is called Classic Sound as it uses the same tones as variometers used on full size gliders - so any GA sailplane pilot will feel at home immediatley. The 139 refers to the fact that it can easily be set to use one of 139 channels within the band, eliminating the possibility of frequency clashes.

The cost is £129.95 for the vario, or from £154.90 for the vario and LPD "walkie talkie" ground station. See http://www.hyperflight.co.uk/products.asp?code=CS139

Thank you for looking.

Neil Stainton.

[Neil Stainton]

Here are the main specifications:

- Measures altitude change and transmits it to the walkie-talkie groundstation on the UK/EU legal 433MHz band.

- Can be set to operate on one of 139 channels, allowing many varios to operate on the band simultaneously.

- Very sensitive 5cm/s (10 ft per minute) pressure sensor allows even the smallest and weakest bubbles to be detected.

- Fast acting tonal output gives immediate indications of lift and sink.

- Weighs only 27g (0.95oz)

- Operates on a 4.8V to 8V supply, so can be used with 4 or 5 cell NiXX receiver packs or two LiPo cells.

- Draws only 60mA, so operates for over 2 hours on a 7g 2S 145mAh LiPo pack.

- Short 7” flexible wire antenna.

- 1.2 mile range with UHF-Handy LPD

[sdstick]

Hey Neil... is there a US version?

[Neil Stainton]

I'm afraid there isn't a US version currently.

Neil.

[sdstick]

Ratz... I do have an AWESOME British Mother... does that have any pull Neil??