Archive for July, 2013
Posted by Phaedra |
Jul 23, 2013 @ 07:54 AM | 8,782 Views
One of the main advantages of upgrading my old faithful MPX 3030 transmitter is that it enables me to use telemetry.
The M-link 2.4 GHz module has everything in it to support this, even in my old transmitter, but the software of the latter obviously doesn't provide any means of displaying telemetry data.
Enter the telemetry display.
For around 80 Euro, it provides the means to:
- display the telemetry data
- display specific M-link messages ("binding...", "Range check",...)
- output vario tone via internal speaker or earphone.
My first use of telemetry concerned mainly vario and altitude for my gliders.
I was quickly convinced of the advantages of this technology as soon as it enabled me flights of up to 90 minutes when other pilots had to land after 20 minutes or so.
The vario showed one disadvantage: the delay between the actual vertical movement and the actual corresponding vario tone you hear. When you see the model going up, it takes around 1 to 2 seconds before you hear the corresponding tone. You would guess that this kind of beats the purpose of using the vario, if you see the movement better than you can hear it, but that is not always the case. When the model is far away, it gets really difficult to see this movement, so there the vario is a real added value.
It even warned me more than once of very strong thermals that I managed to escape before things got really out of hand. I had to fly in a straight line longer than I...Continue Reading
The M-link 2.4 GHz module has everything in it to support this, even in my old transmitter, but the software of the latter obviously doesn't provide any means of displaying telemetry data.
Enter the telemetry display.
For around 80 Euro, it provides the means to:
- display the telemetry data
- display specific M-link messages ("binding...", "Range check",...)
- output vario tone via internal speaker or earphone.
My first use of telemetry concerned mainly vario and altitude for my gliders.
I was quickly convinced of the advantages of this technology as soon as it enabled me flights of up to 90 minutes when other pilots had to land after 20 minutes or so.
The vario showed one disadvantage: the delay between the actual vertical movement and the actual corresponding vario tone you hear. When you see the model going up, it takes around 1 to 2 seconds before you hear the corresponding tone. You would guess that this kind of beats the purpose of using the vario, if you see the movement better than you can hear it, but that is not always the case. When the model is far away, it gets really difficult to see this movement, so there the vario is a real added value.
It even warned me more than once of very strong thermals that I managed to escape before things got really out of hand. I had to fly in a straight line longer than I...Continue Reading
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Posted by Phaedra |
Jul 21, 2013 @ 09:36 AM | 8,399 Views
Back in 1993 or 1994, I' not sure exactly, I fell in love with 4m span RC gliders, if not only for their elegance.
Those things weren't cheap in those days (anything RC wasn't cheap then...), and it was harder to get decent information or flight test data. Internet made things a lot easier, that's for sure, but back then, we had to rely on RC magazines only.
Anyway, my choice was the Graupner ASW22BE vario, the "vario" part of the name indicated that it could be electrified.
The fuselage is thick epoxy or something of the kind, wings are (balsa?) covered styrofoam.
Having observed other 4m gliders, it became clear and obvious that I would need effective spoilers to control the approach path of this slender beauty.
I opted to install metal spoilers, each one controlled by a separate servo, attached to the wing root, inside the fuselage. This awkward setup didn't compromise the structural strength of the wing in any way.
At the time, I flew it with 14-cell NiCd batteries, installed around the CG, giving it ample power for a comfortable climb.
It took me a couple of flights to get the CG and control throws just right, before I took it along on a holiday to Austria, and found me a very nice flying spot in the mountains:
As soon as I took it up, however, winds proved to be extremely turbulent, and I had a hard time bringing it back to the ground in one piece, using full engine power to penetrate the turbulence.
Soon after that, we bought a house, and the RC...Continue Reading
Those things weren't cheap in those days (anything RC wasn't cheap then...), and it was harder to get decent information or flight test data. Internet made things a lot easier, that's for sure, but back then, we had to rely on RC magazines only.
Anyway, my choice was the Graupner ASW22BE vario, the "vario" part of the name indicated that it could be electrified.
The fuselage is thick epoxy or something of the kind, wings are (balsa?) covered styrofoam.
Having observed other 4m gliders, it became clear and obvious that I would need effective spoilers to control the approach path of this slender beauty.
I opted to install metal spoilers, each one controlled by a separate servo, attached to the wing root, inside the fuselage. This awkward setup didn't compromise the structural strength of the wing in any way.
At the time, I flew it with 14-cell NiCd batteries, installed around the CG, giving it ample power for a comfortable climb.
It took me a couple of flights to get the CG and control throws just right, before I took it along on a holiday to Austria, and found me a very nice flying spot in the mountains:
As soon as I took it up, however, winds proved to be extremely turbulent, and I had a hard time bringing it back to the ground in one piece, using full engine power to penetrate the turbulence.
Soon after that, we bought a house, and the RC...Continue Reading
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