Hi, this is Al--

Ed and I enjoy weekends in the park. We often sit in the parking lot in our Honda Civic and people watch with binoculars, but last weekend we won a Pico Stick at a costume party and are very excited about it.

Neither of us in our childhood were outdoors much but after meeting each other we have become more outdoors type.

We both like to do activities together and have decided to become R/C fliers. Ed is going to handle the technical aspects while I handle the more artistic aspects (like decorating the wings) and internet searches.

Ed (the brains of the outfit) came up with a great idea. We can use our binoculars to track out Pico Stick--but here is the tricky part. He wants to "boost" the endurance and range.

We are looking for advice on increasing the transmitter range and the power of the battery.

Can anyone help us?

Ed has already suggested bigger battery and a longer antenna.

Al.

Changing your Xmitter range is not an option. The radios are designed to a specific set of circumstances as defined by the FCC. You can install a larger battery but you should check the manufacturers specs to see how large a battery you can use. The Xmitter is designed to accept certain sizes. A larger battery (more MaH) will only increase the length of time between recharging. It will not increase the range of the radio. Larger airborne battery will only increase the flight endurance. A longer antenna is a no-no. The antenna is tuned to the radio. You should neither extend it nor shorten it. Most radios are line of sight. If you have to use binoculars to see the airplane you have already lost effective control.

Ed has me concerned right now.

Instead of a larger battery he has decided to use small rocket motors to launch our Pico Stick.

He says that by attaching rocket motors he will be able to get altitude without expending the batteries thus a longer and higher flight.

He is going to attach the motors using hot glue. Right now he is building a test stand to check the "Thrust Vector" (I love it when he uses technical terms) prior to trying it on our model. Ed thinks the biggest problem we will have is with the added drag of the spent rocket motors during the electric cruise portion.

Ed has always been somewhat a bad boy/Rebel (I think this is what attracts me to him so much) but I hope this won't get us in any trouble.

Do you think the the Pico Stick will be controllable during the rocket launch?

Do you think the spent Rocket Motors will be a large drag penalty?

Do you think the "Thrust Vector" (I love using techno terms) will be a problem during launch?

Al.