A not-so-newbie returning with questions...  
View related threads: (in this forum | in all forums)

Tower Hobbies
Enter up to 4 keywords or Tower stock numbers
Logged in as Guest



Users viewing this topic: none
  Printable Version
       

All Forums >> RC Airplanes >> RC Gliders, Sailplanes and Slope Soaring >> A not-so-newbie returning with questions...
Page: [1]

Login
Message << Older Topic   Newer Topic >>
A not-so-newbie returning with questions... - 5/11/2008 10:58:35 PM   
altos


 

Posts: 3
Joined: 5/11/2008
From: , CA, USA
Status: offline 		I flew thermal gliders 23 years go and a very little bit of slope. The usual Gentle Lady, Oly II, a custom Oly II stretched to 122", an early foam core slope trainer and a 99" Sagitta... anyway, I abandoned the sport after repeatedly being shot down by rude flyers who insisted on turning on their transmitters without looking for who else was on their frequency or.... here's a great one... "couldn't have been me because I was 20' away and my antenna wasn't fully extended". What a joy.

Regardless, I wandered into an RC shop the other day by chance and spotted spread spectrum radios. Interesting. Takes out the "clown factor". Having mused over that I am seriously considering reentering the battle of the thermals. But my experience is 20+ years old, therefore, I have some questions under the assumption that I would be thermal gliding, no F3B (or whatever they call it these days), probably rudder, elevator, spoiler but flaps would be nice and maybe... ailerons. Maybe. This would be high-start flying or going to the slope and flying when there isn't enough wind for the "real" slope guys. Questions;

a. Spread spectrum; recommendations for a lower end unit as I don't need highly esoteric functionality?
b. "Park flyer" radios - what does that really mean? Limited range to 400 yards or ????
c. I used to buy Futaba way back when. Just about all systems came with a radio, receiver, batteries and 3-4 servos. It appears these days its more piecemeal. If someone buys, for instance, a Spektrum radio and receiver will Hitec or Futaba or ??? servos work with the receiver? (read; how far does mix-and-match go, if at all).
d. Suggestions on a airplane, a light wing loading floater, 100 inches or so? Apparently Marauder is popular, Oly II is still around, arthobby has some nice planes... And I have to restart my collection of tools to build which is no big deal but I don't want an excessively difficult kit. Glider-wise, I value functionality and durability over fashion and trendy. The old Sagitta kit was about the limit of my talent.

Any suggestions for a oldy-newbie appreciated.

Regards,

       Post #: 1

RE: A not-so-newbie returning with questions... - 5/11/2008 11:52:52 PM   
kwmtrubrit


 

Posts: 172
Joined: 5/12/2004
From: Little Rock (via London Eng.), AR, USA
Status: offline 		The Riser 100 is what I have and love it. Easy build, spoilers included and a great flier, very forgiving also. I flew yesterday in winds of 10-15mph.

_____________________________

Be an organ and tissue donor. Tell your family your wishes. It's your last chance to make a difference.

(in reply to altos)
       Post #: 2

RE: A not-so-newbie returning with questions... - 5/12/2008 12:45:10 AM   
ejett



Posts: 217
Joined: 12/21/2002
From: Athens, LA, USA
Status: offline 		Lots of 2.4 ghz stuff out there and Futaba has a good system. So, depending on what you want in the way of radios, you pretty much have a wide open field. I would suggest for reasonable capability and something you won't outgrow really quickly, a 9CAP system with 2.4 gHz module and appropriate receiver. This will let you expand into full house gliders without having to "upgrade" right out of the chute. Jr's 9303 has a huge following and you can get a 2.4 module and recievers for it as well. Get a good radio and you can fly anything, anytime. Definitely, you do not want a limited range park flyer radio, but Futaba and Jr. have full range models. Make sure you get with someone who has some 2.4gHz experience as far as installation in the plane and antennae orientation. New high tech airframes have a lot of carbon and carbon/kevlar which makes installation more critical than a wood airplane.

As far as servos go, most any will work with anybody else. Even Airtronics has caved in and use the same plugs as Jr., Hitec, Specktrum. Futaba still has the rib on the one side of the connector to make sure you don't plug it in backwards, but every body else's servos will work with Futaba if you are careful about the orientation of the plug. It's pretty much standardized now so you can use radio gear from your favorite and buy your favorite servos.

Believe it or not, there are lots of good planes available now. Depending on whether or not you want to build your own model... There are some really good ARF's out there - Topaz, AVA, Soprano and on up to $1500-$2000 F3J planes. On the less expensive side of the build it yourself, you will find good kits from Skybench Aerotech and Laser Arts/Mountain Models in addition to the time honored designs Gentle Lady, Oly II, Riser, Spirits, Bird of Time.

There is really a lot of stuff out there. In general, it seems that the hobby has moved to flying ARF as a majority and I'd say the highest tech, best built planes are made by those European enterprenuers available at folks like SkipMillerModels.com (Pikes, Espadas, Topaz, etc.) and others. S[end some time searching and looking and reading to see what folks like and don't like. Welcome back to the hobby and RCU and I know you will have a great time.

EJ



< Message edited by ejett -- 5/12/2008 12:56:52 AM >

(in reply to altos)
       Post #: 3

RE: A not-so-newbie returning with questions... - 5/12/2008 3:56:20 AM   
altos


 

Posts: 3
Joined: 5/11/2008
From: , CA, USA
Status: offline 		Great post, EJ.

I have quite a bit of research to do....

Thanks again,

Altos

(in reply to ejett)
       Post #: 4

RE: A not-so-newbie returning with questions... - 5/12/2008 4:06:01 AM   
ejett



Posts: 217
Joined: 12/21/2002
From: Athens, LA, USA
Status: offline 		Most likely Ed Anderson will jump in here or on your thread in RC Groups. He has composed a lot of links for equipment and reference. Generally, he will paste this information into a post on suitable threads. Ed's a good guy and thrives on helping others especially new folks to the hobby. I know you are not new to it, but in 23 years a lot of water has flown under the bridge.

I have not organized my information as neatly and compactly as Mr. Anderson. He does a good job with it, so I've not been really motivated.

EJ

(in reply to altos)
       Post #: 5

RE: A not-so-newbie returning with questions... - 5/12/2008 4:33:47 AM   
OzMo



Posts: 1305
Joined: 9/2/2002
From: OZark, MO, USA
Status: offline 		Altos
welcome back! Does this make you the proof that RC is an addiction? LOL I too have returned to sailplanes. I still do fly and instruct glow flying. I went with the Skybench big bird Xl and will do the spoilers and some fiber strap to the wing spars and TE.
It was started last night and I have one wing panel started. (sky benches' Oly II is laser cut and has updated airfoils BTW). I am told 100" is kind of an orphan size, 2 meter and the unlimited or 3 meter (118" are popular in contests. If your just gona fly for fum 100" is fine.
Airfoils are the big change of late.
charlesriverrc.org
is a good site to check into for "the latest and greatest". very nice site with super info. I went with a larger wingspan so I can see the thing better but I want to mess around with 2 meter as well. I just bought an Ebay gentle Lady to modify with spoilers and updated airfoil. I will beef the wing up with a little carbon fiber. I have used the fiber banding material used on comercial bales and such also. It is free (FREE IS GOOD ) and much less splintery to use.
Lots of choices here these days also look into the Marauder and the Chrysalis and some decent gliders do show up on eba^ now and then.
OzMo

< Message edited by OzMo -- 5/12/2008 4:35:35 AM >

_____________________________

Yes dear, I did glue my hand to the airplane to keep from dropping it.

(in reply to ejett)
       Post #: 6

RE: A not-so-newbie returning with questions... - 5/12/2008 5:45:56 AM   
altos


 

Posts: 3
Joined: 5/11/2008
From: , CA, USA
Status: offline 		Well.... now you folks have gone off and gotten me in trouble. Sort of.... then again, hummm... maybe not.

With all the great suggestions offered it appears that a higher end spread spectrum is the way to go. And, as one would expect, the choices of what to fly are endless. Starting all over can be fun. My beloved wife, however, reminded me that I have a Hasagawa 1/8 scale Sopwith Camel static museum kit that has sat totally untouched in its box for quite some time doing nothing but proofing the concept of gravity. Luckily my brain was somewhat active at that precise moment and I responded that I was going to sell it to help fund this new venture ! My gawd... this may work out yet!

The research continues. Keep those suggestions/comments coming.

Thanks again,

altos

(in reply to OzMo)
       Post #: 7

Page:   [1]
All Forums >> RC Airplanes >> RC Gliders, Sailplanes and Slope Soaring >> A not-so-newbie returning with questions...
Page: [1]





Jump to:


Google 



Search | Marketplace | Event Calendar | Local Clubs | Magazine | Product Ratings | New Products | Discussion Forums

Photo Gallery | Member Video Posts | RCU Video Gallery | Instructor Search | Field|Track|Marina Search

Advertisers | Hobby Vendor Resources | Rate Manufacturers | Sign In/Sign Up

SITE MAP!   : :   FORUM RULES

© 2001 - 2007 24-7 RC, LLC, all rights reserved.

Charities we support that also need your help
Yorkie Rescue | Humane Society | ASPCA | Crohn's-Colitis America

Kaango.com Classifieds

0.828RCU1