Go Back  RCU Forums > RC Airplanes > Beginners
Reload this Page >

A Beginers Guide to RC.

Notices
Beginners Beginners in RC start here for help.

A Beginers Guide to RC.

Old 04-14-2005, 07:33 PM
  #51  
warhwk
My Feedback: (3)
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Meridian, ID
Posts: 674
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default RE: A Beginers Guide to RC.

Thanks Volkan!
Old 04-21-2005, 06:22 AM
  #52  
keithsimons
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Thompson, CT
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default RE: A Beginers Guide to RC.

EXCELLENT article.
I've built my first trainer but have yet too fly which is my next daunting task.
Having trouble finding someone in NE Conn. (Thompson)
Old 04-21-2005, 08:04 AM
  #53  
aeajr
My Feedback: (2)
 
aeajr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Long Island, NY
Posts: 8,573
Likes: 0
Received 11 Likes on 11 Posts
Default RE: A Beginers Guide to RC.


ORIGINAL: keithsimons

EXCELLENT article.
I've built my first trainer but have yet too fly which is my next daunting task.
Having trouble finding someone in NE Conn. (Thompson)
Have you checked with the clubs in your area?
http://www.modelaircraft.org/subsec1...0062ABBCE3719E
Old 04-24-2005, 01:01 AM
  #54  
mishal
Senior Member
 
mishal's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Riyadh, SAUDI ARABIA
Posts: 135
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default RE: A Beginers Guide to RC.

Nice post .. i like it.
Old 04-24-2005, 05:07 PM
  #55  
laurazina
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: , CA
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default RE: A Beginers Guide to RC.

I just purchased a bird (not a plane) and I cannot get it to fly! It says it is for beginners, but I think I am missing something.

The manual is easy to read, but I still don't get it. I can flap its wings, move the tail, but it just slams to the ground. Does anyone have any idea what I am doing wrong OR what I am not doing??

Does the controller just work on AA batteries??? Special batteries or just regular over-the -counter AA??? My controller has new batteries, but will only control the bird if it is plugged in. Do you need to charge the controller w/the charger? When I plug it in the light is green. I have no idea.

I need the basics.

Thanks!

Old 04-27-2005, 05:34 AM
  #56  
aircub
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: cheshire, UNITED KINGDOM
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default RE: A Beginers Guide to RC.

hi! volkan,great and informative article. just the information i needed as i am just starting the hobby, at the young age of 57 i have a lot to learn, and your article helped a lot. well done!
Old 07-16-2005, 05:09 PM
  #57  
Flyboy63
Member
My Feedback: (1)
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: stafford, TX
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default RE: A Beginers Guide to RC.

im new to this stuff, i got couple of question.what is prop pitch?like 10x6 etc..and what is a side force generator?
Old 07-16-2005, 06:44 PM
  #58  
aeajr
My Feedback: (2)
 
aeajr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Long Island, NY
Posts: 8,573
Likes: 0
Received 11 Likes on 11 Posts
Default RE: A Beginers Guide to RC.


ORIGINAL: Flyboy63

im new to this stuff, i got couple of question.what is prop pitch?like 10x6 etc..and what is a side force generator?
Prop pitch is the distance the prop would move forward as it passes through the air if there is no slippage. So you 10X6 is a 10" diamater propeller and for each rotation, the prop wants to move forward 6".

Side force generator? Well, that is anything that generates a side force. In what context are you using the phrase?
Old 07-21-2005, 11:46 AM
  #59  
Aiyura
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: , OR
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default RE: A Beginers Guide to RC.

So, I am new. This question will make that clear.

I have 2 trainers. NexStar and a Cessna 182.
The Nexstar came fully loaded.
The Cessna I had to assemble. Which is going great.
I am now at the point where I need to purchase the radio. My question:
It says it needs "4 channels, 5 servos".

I am confused by this. If I purchase a 4 channel radio, a 5 channel receiver. Will that work?
help.....

Thanks all
Old 07-21-2005, 11:59 AM
  #60  
aeajr
My Feedback: (2)
 
aeajr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Long Island, NY
Posts: 8,573
Likes: 0
Received 11 Likes on 11 Posts
Default RE: A Beginers Guide to RC.

The Next star is the glow powered RTF, right? That comes with a radio, so you have a radio.

You need servos, an receiver battery and a receiver. You can use an 8 channel reciever with a 2 channel radio. Non-issue.

Based on your note, the Cessna needs 4 channels on th radio. R/E/T/A I presum. 5 servos implies that you will have two of the servos on a Y connector going into one channel on the receiver. Most likely the aileron servos. They are probably too far apart for one servo to drive the ailerons, or you need the extra torque of one servo per aileron.

When you connect them you will have to mount them in such a way that they move opposite each other and you will have to trim them mechanically on the plane. You can not use the reverse feature on the radio to reverse one of them.

The alternative is to get a computer radio, which is what I recommed for everyone, and put the two ailerons on their own channel.

Low cost choices would be Hitec Flash 5SX - $159 with servos, receiver and bat
or the Futaba 6EXAS for about the same.

You can look at them at www.towerhobbies.com search on Futaba 6exas and flash 5SX

If you have the bucks, then the Futaba 7C and the Hitec Optic 6. With servos and receivers these would be around $240 I think.

Hope that helps.


ORIGINAL: Aiyura

So, I am new. This question will make that clear.

I have 2 trainers. NexStar and a Cessna 182.
The Nexstar came fully loaded.
The Cessna I had to assemble. Which is going great.
I am now at the point where I need to purchase the radio. My question:
It says it needs "4 channels, 5 servos".

I am confused by this. If I purchase a 4 channel radio, a 5 channel receiver. Will that work?
help.....

Thanks all
Old 07-21-2005, 12:00 PM
  #61  
flycatch
Senior Member
My Feedback: (26)
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Barstow, CA
Posts: 2,027
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 5 Posts
Default RE: A Beginers Guide to RC.

Your post was outstanding but it was aimed at one audience only. That being the glow heads. I fly glow exclusively however the electrics are passing us by. Take a look at the model magazines and you will see for yourself.
The new breed of RC flyers are young and want to do there own thing. It is my opinion that they are seriously hurting the image of RC modeling and regetting our hobby back to the toy store.
Old 07-21-2005, 12:02 PM
  #62  
Lightfoot
My Feedback: (1)
 
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: MS
Posts: 3,785
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default RE: A Beginers Guide to RC.

If you buy something like a Futaba Skysport, you will get a 4 - channel transmitter and a 7 - channel receiver. But, that is not the issue. Using 5 servos in this case means that there will be 2 servos for the ailerons. You can connect both servos with a Y - connector and plug it into the receiver and still only be using 4 channels of the receiver. If you get a computer radio, it will allow you to use 5 channels of the receiver but that will be extra expense to accomplish the same task.
Old 07-21-2005, 12:29 PM
  #63  
Aiyura
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: , OR
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default RE: A Beginers Guide to RC.

Thanks for the quick reply.
The NexStar is a glow.
So is the Cessna.

I understand the concept now.
The Cessna has 2 servos for the ailerons. One on each wing. Now that I look more closely at the directions, it is obvious that the servos are mounted opposite.

I will take your reccomendations to the store.

I have a few electric planes. I bought them for pre trainer pratice. Cheep and easy way to learn before making the switch to glow.


Thanks again.
Old 07-21-2005, 04:22 PM
  #64  
aeajr
My Feedback: (2)
 
aeajr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Long Island, NY
Posts: 8,573
Likes: 0
Received 11 Likes on 11 Posts
Default RE: A Beginers Guide to RC.

Electrics, glow, gliders, gas ... why swtich? Why not fly them all? More choices, more fun!

I fly elecrics and gliders and enjoy them both. Maybe I will fly glow too, someday.
Old 07-27-2005, 12:54 PM
  #65  
Aiyura
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: , OR
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default RE: A Beginers Guide to RC.

Thanks a TON Aeajr.

What are your thought on FM vs. AM for transmitters/recievers?

Can you convert an AM to an FM by simply switching out the crystal?
Old 07-27-2005, 01:01 PM
  #66  
Aiyura
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: , OR
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default RE: A Beginers Guide to RC.

Ok, so I found LightFoot's site. GREAT SITE.
SO many questions are being answered.

For anyone who wants to learn, check it out.
http://www.rcfu.com
Old 07-27-2005, 02:38 PM
  #67  
aeajr
My Feedback: (2)
 
aeajr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Long Island, NY
Posts: 8,573
Likes: 0
Received 11 Likes on 11 Posts
Default RE: A Beginers Guide to RC.


ORIGINAL: Aiyura

Thanks a TON Aeajr.

What are your thought on FM vs. AM for transmitters/recievers?

Can you convert an AM to an FM by simply switching out the crystal?
No you can't switch from AM to FM by switching a crystal - nuff on that.


Here are answers to your questions, and things you didn't ask but might want to know anyway.


AM vs. FM

AM is fine. I had one that came with my first RTF sailplane and had no problems.

FM is better based on lots of technical stuff. Same as the sound on your FM radio in your car is better than the AM channels. If I was buying a radio for long term use, I would only look at FM. If an AM came as part of an RTF package, it would not bother me.


Receivers:

Dual Conversion FM receivers are generally better than single conversion as it
does more to filter out stray signals and other garbage. There are receivers with DSP, digital signal processing that claim to be as good as the DC receivers, or even better. I can't say they are wrong but I don't know.

Range

Be aware of range and how far out you are likely to fly your plane. This is
partially a function of how big your field is and what you are flying. Range is more a function of the receiver than the radio. So check the rating on any receiver you buy.

Here are some thoughts:

Indoor flyers will no likely exceed 500 feet and 300 is probably enough.

Slow flyers, small parkflyers, say 36 inch wing spans and below with speed 280
class motors and below, are probably OK with 600 - 1000 foot range. More is better

For two meter sailplanes and larger faster parkflyers, as
well as small to medium size glo planes, half a mile/2500 feet, would probably
be OK. The sailplanes tend to get high and the others are fast enough to eat
up ground quickly.

For larger glo planes, 3 meter plus sailplanes you want the 1 mile class of
equipment.

There is no such thing as having equipment with too much range, but a three
meter sailplane can exceed a half mile because it is large enough
to be easily flown that far away. You don't want to be flying at the edge of
your equipment's range. Weak batteries, interference and such can shorten the
range resulting in you losing control when you seem to be with the working
range of your equipment, so when in doubt, bump it up some.

Old 07-30-2005, 01:13 AM
  #68  
matt3D
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Fresno, CA
Posts: 338
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default RE: A Beginers Guide to RC.

I started out with the Lt-40 and it was a very good trainer! I still have it too. http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXFG19&P=ML Also, I think that the os .46fx is better then the .40la. With a 12x6 prop or 12.25x3.75 prop you will be set, and to even do some hovers a little... hehe... Very nice thread!


Matt
Old 08-01-2005, 02:10 PM
  #69  
Aiyura
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: , OR
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default RE: A Beginers Guide to RC.

I just wanted to thank you all. I have found a great field with great members. I have now found a Mentor.
The local hobby shop teaches flying for free. GREAT GROUP OF GUYS.

I went out on Sunday and flew my glow for the first time.

Thanks again.

I cannot say that enough, and how important it is to find a good mentor.
Old 08-01-2005, 02:22 PM
  #70  
aeajr
My Feedback: (2)
 
aeajr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Long Island, NY
Posts: 8,573
Likes: 0
Received 11 Likes on 11 Posts
Default RE: A Beginers Guide to RC.

Congratulations! Sounds like you are well on your way!
Old 08-01-2005, 02:32 PM
  #71  
Aiyura
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: , OR
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default RE: A Beginers Guide to RC.

I am, thank you.

This is a great site, and you were a great help.
Old 08-02-2005, 11:24 AM
  #72  
Aiyura
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: , OR
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default RE: A Beginers Guide to RC.

One more question.
I went flying for only 15 min. What is the best way to discharge the batterys without a discharger.
Will turning the unit on until it is fully discharged reduce the life of the batteries?

Old 08-02-2005, 02:09 PM
  #73  
aeajr
My Feedback: (2)
 
aeajr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Long Island, NY
Posts: 8,573
Likes: 0
Received 11 Likes on 11 Posts
Default RE: A Beginers Guide to RC.

What battery are you asking about?

Motor battery? I just run it down till the ESC cuts it off

Radio battery? I leave it charged. Will run down on its own just sitting. If you do turn the radio on, put at least a couple of the antenna sections up, but not all of them. Also, do this in a basement if you can. Remember you signal has the opportunity to shoot someone else down. How far are you from the flying field?

And, I would only do this every other month or so. Today's NICDs don't have the severe memory issues the older ones had. If they are NIMH, no cycling is needed on a regular basis. Once a season or twice a year would be plenty and maybe that is more than needed.
Old 08-12-2005, 07:56 AM
  #74  
Dazzler40
Junior Member
 
Dazzler40's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Toledo, OH
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default RE: A Beginers Guide to RC.

Great post which will be very helpful to any and all future pilots.
Old 08-19-2005, 06:40 AM
  #75  
hhhhhhhhh
Banned
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: broxbourne, , UNITED KINGDOM
Posts: 480
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default RE: A Beginers Guide to RC.

i like ur beginers guid to rc volkan i printed itoff for my dad and got him to read it because he wonts to get in to flying and he said it has helpt him understand a bit more about flying so thanks.

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.