I needed a case for my RadioMaster TX16S, this case is ideal for any standard size TX.

Husky transmitter case for RadioMaster TX16S, great deal for $20 bucks (14 min 11 sec)

I replaced my Horus X10S battery today without removing any cables. It's not easy as it seems but with this video you should be able to avoid the mistakes I made.

FRSky Horus X10S radio RTC watch battery replacement howto (26 min 47 sec)

I made a quick video explaining how to use the 9th channel on the Graupner S1019 receiver as a telemetry port. Most of us don't use 9 channels and might want to monitor your Lipo battery while flying using a Graupner voltage sensor.

Graupner Hott Receiver S1019 telemetry setup with voltage sensor 33631 (8 min 4 sec)

I recently bought a RadioMaster TX16s and upgraded this old foamie to use a FRSky receiver. I had towed the flag many years ago. This was an old EPP plane that Hobby Lobby imported. It's a 40" wing span and uses a 480 Eflite motor.

I finally got around to finishing up this video that I started about 6 months ago. Long story but I don't like FRSky's options for monitoring your onboard voltage using a balance port sensor. I prefer an 'inline' connection that is permanently wired to your ESC. There's nothing to forget or plug in wrong when you go to fly your airplane/sailplane. A few years ago someone made an after market sensor but it was discontinued.

This project will explain how to make that discontinued sensor using an Arduino micro-processor board. You can make these sensors for about $10 each after the upfront cost of buying a programmer and some wires which will run you a one time cost of about $20.

I had to make this video to help simplify the entire process of programming and soldering up that board. When I was reading some threads on RCG I found out there was no good howto. Many of us (including myself) have never used / programmed an Arduino board and probably most have no interest in it.

This video will explain downloading the software, programming the card and how to configure OpenTX to use a voltage sensor.

A big thank you to Mike Blanford for writing that code and making it available for us to use.

All the parts you need are in Youtube description area.

How to make a Smart Port Voltage sensor for your FRSky receivers (29 min 0 sec)

iSDT discharge your Lithium batteries easily with the FD-100 (8 min 37 sec)

My flying buddy Gene who is 84 years old was given this kit. He built a Top Model Prelude for a fellow club member, that club member asked me what should he get for Gene's effort and I recommended the Sapphire.

Well it was not great, Gene called me on a regular basis to complain about the kit. Gene was complaining about the documentation, the plans and the fact that all the wooden laser cut pieces fell out of the wood and the part numbers are on the parts you discard making it a huge jigsaw puzzle.

We were able to find some photos online at different discussion groups and eventually Gene contacted Peter and had some missing parts mailed to him.

The maiden it flew, but barely. The recommended EDF is so under-powered it could not get much higher than 75'. We used the 4s setup. I have a feeling the slope is the best place for this type of sailplane. We don't have slopes in SC and do not have anyone with a plane to act as a tow.

Gene opened up some of the areas to help get more air on the EDF, we will try again soon to see if that helps.

I'm really getting disappointed with Graupner, they raise their prices and can't even release stable firmware updates for their radio. And more of an issue they don't seem interested in fixing the bugs they created. I reported this issue months ago and it's still not fixed.

Graupner MZ-24 Pro throttle trim bug (2 min 43 sec)

Give me some likes for the CNHL contest please!

https://chinahobbyline.com/index.php...fo&photo_id=26

Some cool background while flying my 3.5 meter sailplane yesterday.

The drifting vario problem with the G-RX8 can be a bit disappointing. It's been suggested that once the RX is on for a couple of minutes the drift has settled down. But resetting the vario from wheel button is a bit awkward if you are holding the model in your hand. So I setup an additional function on my timer/throttle lock switch to also reset the vario. It works by looking at the timer, if the timer = 0 then it's the first time going so reset it when you unlock the throttle and start the timer. Once the timer is no longer 0 it won't reset it.

Frsky G-RX8 reset drifting vario with your throttle lock/timer switch (3 min 37 sec)

I finally got this Alpina back together. It had a devastating crash that snapped the fuse in half and folded the nose over. It took a lot of fiberglass cloth and Bondo to get her back together. Luckily the repair only added about 4 ounces.

I did a build thread over here:
https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show...and-discussion

After a hellish week or so watching countless videos on OpenTX and receiver programming I finally am getting somewhere. The S6R/S8R gyro receivers need a lot of programming to make them work. Now that I get, it's easy, but getting there was not so easy. I feel the biggest issue is many of the videos are dated or incomplete not telling you the whole setup steps. I am super impressed with these LUA scripts, programming the receiver with a script is easy.

I put a S8R RX in my Hobby King Hummer. This is my go to 3D foamy. It's similar to the old Flash. Mine still has an Eflight 450 on it with Hitec 65 servos which are well over 10 years old now! First flight was interesting, I did not know the default trim level for a model is 'fine'. In that mode the trims are useless, they barely move the servo. I recommend setting them to course to act like most radios. I had a hard time with my expo. It does not feel right, I need to study my Graupner settings and see how I can tune the curve in the Horus radio to get the same movements.

Overall the maiden was fine. I launched with the gyros off, got the trims sorta worked out (ran out of aileron because of the fine setting) and my elevator channel was way too touchy. I then moved the switch and everything felt good. I had the sensitivity setup on S1 and tried some different settings. When I tried the level mode the plane went crazy. I really don't care about that mode and will try to figure out how to prevent the switch from going into that mode.

I put a 2nd flight on my Aether sailplane today and that flew perfectly. I also changed the trims to course which helped out a lot. I got the main screen setup exactly how I want it now. I can see max height, pack voltage, timer and v speed.

Overall this radio is working out. I'm not regretting my purchase.

One of the early issues I found with X10S are the switch locations are different. Normally I use the back left momentary switch on my Graupner MZ-24 for telemetry. On the X10S that switch is on the right side. So after deciding what to do I felt it's best to move the switches around so my two main radios have the same switch layout.

A larger issue I noticed was the location of the rear switches. I don't know what Frsky was thinking but the average person cannot reach those switches unless you slide your hand up which is awkward while flying. I decided to drill some new holes and relocate the switches closer the edge of the case.

Here's a quick video:

Frsky X10S relocating switches and drilling new holes for switch locations (4 min 32 sec)

I finally pulled the trigger this week and ordered and received my first Frsky radio. I have been interested in trying OpenTX for a couple of years now but never saw it in action. That changed after our recent Fun Fly event hosted by Eutawville had a guest pilot show up with his Horus 12 radio. He had owned Graupner and Jeti and loved his Horus.

I did some comparison shopping and knew Aloft Hobbies carries Frsky. I was surprised when I added the radio to my shopping cart that the shipping was not free. I was told getfpv also sells them and they do ship for free (USPS Priority shipping). Since I was already an Aloft customer and I have bought several Top Model sailplanes from these people and have also sent business their way I figured I will give them a chance to not lose a sale. They had no interest in offering free shipping or even lowering their outrageous $28 shipping charge! I also told them their competitor was not only free but they were tossing in the R9 module for free. So they lost that sale and I will discontinue sending business their way. I had a bad servo from them last year that required me to ship back to them at my expense. Plus they had no stock to replace it. Not good.....

Anyways back to Frsky. What I really like are the costs of the receivers. This is where Graupner gets you. They have been steadily increasing their pricing and now a 6ch gyro receiver is $100! A 8 ch simple RX is $65. I fly sailplanes so I need 8 ch and a vario,...Continue Reading

RC BAE Hawk at the 2018 Annual Eutawville Giant Scale Event (3 min 19 sec)

I got the email like millions of other Youtubers. 4,000 hours per year and 1,000 subscribers required. I looked up my stats and I am at 4,800 hours last year but have about 498 subscribers. Why subscribers matter since I have the hours is puzzling. Not that I made much off my Youtube channel it was neat to get a check on average 3 or 4 times a year for about $100.

So my friends on RCG, how about hitting that subscribe button for me? I'm going to continue making some videos here and there either way. I just think it's wrong what Youtube aka Google is doing this.

Here's a few RC videos I made over the years that got some decent views.

EPP Flash in HD 1080P Panasonic TM700 (5 min 58 sec)

YEP ESC programming setup for airplanes (6 min 35 sec)

...Continue Reading

This is what some of us RC guys do when the weather is not going well. I picked up one of these inexpensive kits on eBay. It uses 512 3mm LED's formed in a matrix. It dances around in animation and is nice conversation piece. So if you enjoy soldering or were an avid Heathkit guy like I was back in the 70's this is worth building. I made a video to help out anyone who suffers through the bad documentation that is included.

LED Mini Cube 8*8*8 project (28 min 15 sec)

The cotton makes a great background for some nice photography. Grafas Maxi and Prelude both from Top Model.

Little did I know what was coming up while taking some photos of my friends plane. To say the least a few seconds after I took this shot the plane went into a death spiral. The wing bolt came out during flight. If you look closely at the photo you will see the bottom wing separating.