Weekly Beginner’s taxiway 2020-11-19
Reviews, thoughts, and events from the week in RC Airplanes
Term of the Week – Receiver
Last week, we covered the transmitter. The other half of the electronic puzzle is the receiver. The receiver is the on-board component that receives the electronic instructions sent from the transmitter in your hands to operate the RC aircraft.
The receiver either has an internal or external antenna that receives the transmitter pulses. To ensure maximum connectivity, these antennae must be extended and, best case, away from the battery and at right angles to each other. Proper placement of the antenna gives the receiver full capability to receive the MHz signals. Keeping the antenna away from the battery (which can block the signal) will help.
The receiver has ports that correspond to the number of channels. These ports receive wires from the plane’s servos. The servos are what activate actions on the plane. For example, a landing gear servo mechanically raises and lowers the gear based on radio signals you give the aircraft through the transmitter. The transmitter’s signals are decoded by the receiver and activate the throttle, flaps, or other servo-controlled activity.
A receiver and transmitter from the same manufacturer will give you optimal performance. For example, the Spektrum brand of transmitters require receivers that use the DSMX or DSM2 algorithms. It is best to stay in the family once you decide on a transmitter. The transmitter is more costly, so first pick a transmitter brand and then the receivers.
Plane Reviews
RC Saylers have another beginner video with their take on the Must-Have RC beginner planes. Check it out here. Also, check out my post on Top 6 Beginner/Trainer Planes.
I Just Got Here has a video on flying the Flex Innovations Mamba 10. Awesome trivia point - He just completed 365 days straight of flying RC airplanes outside. Here is I just Got Here’s video.
João Dias de Carvalho has an informative video on How to land RC plane on grass, How to fly four-channel planes, and land a plane. Great in-flight video with extensive notes, tips, and explanations in the comments. Don’t miss this video.
Events
No events this week.
Tool of the Trade
Cushion Foam: Foam is not just for sitting on! Our RC airplanes are strong, but the foam construction material is easily bruised and damaged. I rest my plane on top of a piece of foam when I’m working on it, or even changing the battery.
If the PVC rack doesn’t work or the landing gear isn’t activated, the foam is the go-to tool. Foam always goes with me to the field. Here is a video of what I take to the field. Check out the video description for a downloadable checklist so you don’t forget anything as you pack for the field.
Until next week safe flying!
Weekly Beginner’s taxiway 2020-11-11
Reviews, thoughts, and events from the week in RC Airplanes
Term of the Week – Transmitter
The Remote-control transmitter is the device that sends instructions to the remote-control airplane’s onboard receiver. These transmissions are how you control your airplane. Current transmitters are on the 2.4GHz band. The 2.4GHz band is used for most RC transmitters because the FCC has designated this band as free.
Transmitters are further designated by how many channels they support or can control. For example, Throttle control is a channel; Flaps are a channel; Landing Gear is a channel. Etc. The more channels a transmitter supports, the more functions on an aircraft it can control, and the more expensive it is.
A 6-Channel transmitter is a good beginner transmitter. I would not go below six channels, and I would consider 8-Channel a good sweet spot.
A receiver and transmitter from the same manufacturer will give you optimal performance. For example, the Spektrum brand of transmitters requires receivers that use the DSMX or DSM2 algorithms. It is best to stay in the family once you decide on a transmitter.
The transmitter is more costly, so first, pick a transmitter brand and then the receivers.
Plane Reviews
The RC Saylors posted a great review of the Carbon Cub S 2 Beginner RC Airplane. Check out their review here. This plane is one of my top 6 beginner/trainer planes. Check out the other planes on my Top 6 Starter and Beginner Remote Control Airplanes post.
RC Informer posted a review here of the FMS CJ-6 V2 1200mm aircraft. This is another good beginner / intermediate plane.
Events
This year, in-person RC fly-ins have been canceled. One that took place was the celebration of National RC Day. Here is Merry Boozer’s review of the National RC Day at IRCC.
A tool of the Trade
The Metal Ammo Box – Incorrect handling of LiPo batteries could potentially cause a fire. I store and transport my lipo batteries in a metal ammo box. I use the Harbor Freight ammo box. These boxes are inexpensive and are easy to transport in my car. I sort my batteries by box.
A quick tip – add Velcro to the inside of the ammo box lid and on the back of your lipo tester, and you will always know where your tester is, and it is safe and out of the way. No more digging in your pockets to test your battery.
Until next week safe flying!