RE: 1961 Ecktronics-Kraft Radio
It's relatively rare compared to an Orbit or F&M and should fetch $100-200 depending on condition. There are some people around who build vintage airplanes and want matching vintage radios....or something that looks vintage, anyway. They're not necessarily elderly, either.
Posted on: 8/11/2012 11:44 AM by Author "grotto2" in the forum "RC Radios, Transmitters, Receivers, Servos, gyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11189452

RE: Not finished but I could not wait
This is great!!
Posted on: 7/13/2012 1:09 PM by Author "grotto2" in the forum "RC Pattern Flying"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11154081

RE: Pattern ship winglet.
A wind tunnel's probably out of the question, but I did suggest a cheap alternative to collect [i]quantitative [/i]data.
Posted on: 7/8/2012 10:47 AM by Author "grotto2" in the forum "Electric Pattern Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11147568

RE: Pattern ship winglet.
Dead-on what I'm getting at, Dave. If we really had a handle on what's happening here, we may be able to engineer simpler corrective measures, i.e. a number of smaller flow straighteners at critical points.
Posted on: 7/8/2012 9:55 AM by Author "grotto2" in the forum "Electric Pattern Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11147517

RE: Pattern ship winglet.
Excuse me if I'm skeptical. Even if the canalizer works as described, I still don't know a) what to expect when it's added (plus or minus), b) how big it should be, c) what it should be shaped like or d) where it should be placed. Once on my plane, I will be doomed to report that it 'feels' better, lest I admit that I'm a lesser pilot than Mr. Big-Name. With the technology we have today we still use guess-and-by golly fad approaches for airplane design. I think we could do better.
Posted on: 7/7/2012 11:31 PM by Author "grotto2" in the forum "Electric Pattern Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11147173

RE: Pattern ship winglet.
It sounds like something for pattern-mythbusters to confirm or bust. Maybe someone would be willing to mount a key fob camera on their plane aimed at the empennage that has been covered with tufts of yarn. Then make some video recordings with and without the canalizer.
Posted on: 7/7/2012 10:52 AM by Author "grotto2" in the forum "Electric Pattern Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11146584

RE: which servo tester to get......
I've used the ServoXciter for years. http://www.vexacontrol.com/ May be a little expensive, but American made and they give fantastic after-sale service. This one reads pulsewidth out of your receiver and tests your servo current and deadband. IMHO, it's a must for complex aircraft with critical setups, like pattern planes and helicopters.
Posted on: 6/25/2012 6:38 PM by Author "grotto2" in the forum "RC Radios, Transmitters, Receivers, Servos, gyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11131822

RE: Logictrol 5 Encoder Pulse Stream
Isn't that industry standard nomenclature?
Posted on: 6/21/2012 9:41 PM by Author "grotto2" in the forum "Golden Age, Vintage & Antique RC"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11127328

RE: Logictrol 5 Encoder Pulse Stream
[quote]When you referred to a 6 volt regulator, was this a "3 legged" regulator or a UBEC? [/quote] Just for the record, I used a 7806 3-terminal. I'm glad your B.A.C. worked, but wonder why the UBEC didn't. Hmmm. On second read, I see you put the UBEC on the RF module. I did it the other way around, regulator on the encoder.
Posted on: 6/21/2012 9:03 PM by Author "grotto2" in the forum "Golden Age, Vintage & Antique RC"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11127306

RE: Logictrol 5 Encoder Pulse Stream
[quote]I had this problem with the Spektrum decks in the MicroPro8000 (MP8K). What I found is the current draw of the 2.4 deck is not constant, but random spikes. This large amout of current caused the voltage drop to the encoder to be interpreted as a small stick movement. The MP8K is a processor driven encoder and the fix for it is not applicable with the Logictrol. Scope the +9 volts in the transmitter and see if it has a bunch of noise on it. Then cut off the RF deck and see if it disapears. A heafty filter cap across the power may or may not help. I have not scoped the FrSky RF decks to see how they behave. [/quote] I've had this exact problem with a Spektrum conversion, too. It seemed that no size cap would filter out the hash from the power line. I solved the problem by separating the power to the RF module and the encoder board. In my particular case, I put in a 6V regulator for the encoder after determining that it would run fine on the reduced voltage. -Ron
Posted on: 6/20/2012 7:15 PM by Author "grotto2" in the forum "Golden Age, Vintage & Antique RC"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11125972

RE: Kraft servos
OTOH it would be a shame to toss them. Why not offer them up on RCU classified at a cut-rate price?
Posted on: 6/18/2012 9:19 PM by Author "grotto2" in the forum "RC Radios, Transmitters, Receivers, Servos, gyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11123296

RE: Southern R/C bootlegger plan
Here's the original Southern instructions: http://www.mindspring.com/%7Erellis2/rcpattrn/bootlgr.doc
Posted on: 6/15/2012 10:50 PM by Author "grotto2" in the forum "Classic RC Pattern Flying"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11119874

RE: Wow! Jeti Mezons! Who else has heard?
I was in Esprit today and looked over the Mezon. Very impressive. Now I can't wait to see the Duplex system in person. It's not available in the US yet. Are any European pattern fliers using it? Please chime in......
Posted on: 6/14/2012 10:10 PM by Author "grotto2" in the forum "Electric Pattern Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11118781

RE: Kraft servos
[quote]Kraft is at the top of the list with collectors of radio systems.[/quote] I have to offer a bit of a challenge to this statement for the following reasons: a) There were a lot of Krafts produced from the late sixties on. b) They were very high quality and typically survive 40+ years very well. From that standpoint they're kind of a dime-a-dozen. ME410 shouldn't expect to get gobs of money unless it's from the 'anodized' era.
Posted on: 6/14/2012 9:26 PM by Author "grotto2" in the forum "RC Radios, Transmitters, Receivers, Servos, gyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11118750

RE: redudant rx setup problem
Silent- Go back and look at what yepe said. What you are saying [i]should[/i] happen to otherwise equal but different capacity packs, but it did not. IR is a factor independent of capacity (just like you said) that would account for different drains on paralleled packs. Reading yepe again, the fact is he's not paralleling two packs as we assumed, but using two different regulators with their outputs paralleled. Probably Portland really has it right.
Posted on: 6/5/2012 9:24 PM by Author "grotto2" in the forum "Electric Pattern Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11108194

RE: redudant rx setup problem
I think capacity is not exactly the word you meant to use. It's more likely a function of internal resistance. The pack with the lower resistance would drain fastest.
Posted on: 6/5/2012 5:28 PM by Author "grotto2" in the forum "Electric Pattern Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11107912

RE: Mattel Pulse Radio
The LM317 is cheap and really easy to work with. Using Lipos and a regulator can sure solve a lot of problems with vintage equipment. I finally sorted out my GG system by using two LM317s to power my receiver and Rand LR-3 from one Lipo pack. -Ron R1.... R2.........Vout 240 1500......9.0625 240 1200......7.5 240 1000......6.458333333 240 750........5.15625 240 720........5 240 470........3.697916667 240 450........3.59375 240 440........3.541666667 240 240........2.5 240 225........2.421875 240 220........2.395833333 .1uf on Vin 10uf on Vout
Posted on: 6/4/2012 10:31 PM by Author "grotto2" in the forum "Golden Age, Vintage & Antique RC"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11106857

RE: vintage r/c recievers
According to the manual, that transmitter is relatively low power, meant for park fliers that don't get too far away. I personally don't like the button setup on it. There's better single-channel transmitters like the Ace Wee One. Are you really attached to that transmitter in particular for sentimental reasons? If not, consider taking your time and shop the bay for a system you can use, then turn around and sell that one.
Posted on: 5/28/2012 10:23 AM by Author "grotto2" in the forum "Golden Age, Vintage & Antique RC"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11097405

RE: Digitrio Articles
PM sent.
Posted on: 5/23/2012 10:10 PM by Author "grotto2" in the forum "Golden Age, Vintage & Antique RC"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11092597

RE: Logictrol 5 Encoder Pulse Stream
I wouldn't waste any more time with it before re-capping the encoder. That in itself may clear up the problem. Be especially aware of the black electrolytics, which are less than worthless. You should be able to get this to play nicely. I've done several. -Ron
Posted on: 5/12/2012 11:24 AM by Author "grotto2" in the forum "Golden Age, Vintage & Antique RC"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11078111

RE: Wiring diagram for newbies
I'm still running this system and I'm stuck with the arming plug since my canopy is too hard to remove and bolt back. On the next one I will probably switch to bullets for all the connectors and arming plug as (I believe) the Deans are only rated to 50A. -Ron
Posted on: 5/1/2012 10:05 PM by Author "grotto2" in the forum "Electric Pattern Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11064991

RE: B Plus schematic?
Lots of interesting ideas here. ggeezer, Your idea certainly deserves an article. A couple of photos and sketches are probably enough to get us started.
Posted on: 1/28/2012 8:40 AM by Author "grotto2" in the forum "Golden Age, Vintage & Antique RC"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10932161

B Plus schematic?
Hey guys- I'd like to light up one of my old tube transmitters. Does anyone have a plans for a nice modern B+ circuit to generate 67-135V that is small enough to fit in a Tx? A+ is 1.5V. -Ron
Posted on: 1/27/2012 10:36 AM by Author "grotto2" in the forum "Golden Age, Vintage & Antique RC"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10930749

RE: Focusable lens implants
Thanks dirtybird and RCVFR for the information. No operation is without risk, so I take your advise seriously.
Posted on: 1/20/2012 10:30 PM by Author "grotto2" in the forum "The Clubhouse"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10919489

RE: Focusable lens implants
Not exactly an overwhelming response, so I'll elaborate. When you get into your fifties, evidence of cataracts, a clouding of the eye lens, will begin to develop. No getting around it. Vitamins and good sunglasses may help a bit, but you're gonna get 'em. Things deteriorate from there. How well will you be able to fly RC when that time comes? When my grandfather had his removed surgically he lived the rest of his life with very thick glasses and 20/40 vision. Fortunately, things are a lot better now. I've had friends receive plastic replacement lens implants that restored acuity and color vision to youthful levels. The drawback: they are single focus. You need multi-focus glasses for all degrees of close-up vision. The products mentioned in my question are a new generation of lens implant that provide a connection to existing eye muscles. This allows the lens to focus at various distances to minimize or eliminate the need for reading glasses. I have a friend that had Crystalens implants a few years ago and he reported that he could view from computer monitor to full distance without glasses, but he's since had some (unrelated?) complications and his vision is not quite as good as it was right after the operation. Now there are some competing products, and I wonder which would be best for flying vision. Anyone have experiences they'd like to share? Just curious; I've got several years before I have to worry about it and the technology will probably be different when I get there, anyway.
Posted on: 1/16/2012 8:28 PM by Author "grotto2" in the forum "The Clubhouse"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10912697

RE: BILLY MILTON GIROD
I will miss Billy a lot. He was a good friend and flier, always a joy to talk to. In skill-years bandwidth he's beat us all!
Posted on: 1/13/2012 8:46 AM by Author "grotto2" in the forum "RC Pattern Flying"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10906797

RE: Vintage Crystals
Jay- Have you found the crystal package to matter? My OS transmitter (small crystal) is running 2.4kHz high, but my F&M transmitter (big crystal) is 600 Hz low. Either way, somebody's gonna be replaced. -Ron
Posted on: 1/13/2012 8:34 AM by Author "grotto2" in the forum "Golden Age, Vintage & Antique RC"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10906777

Focusable lens implants
Anyone using ReSTOR, ReZoom, Tecnis or Crystalens implants? If so, please describe your results.
Posted on: 1/12/2012 8:19 PM by Author "grotto2" in the forum "The Clubhouse"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10906122

RE: Fibreglass/foam Blue Angel kit?
I think you're referring to the Red Devil from Germany http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_9793507/mpage_1/key_/tm.htm
Posted on: 12/7/2011 10:49 AM by Author "grotto2" in the forum "Classic RC Pattern Flying"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10848151

RE: Kraft BarFli?
Vince- I built one in 2005, as did Beppe Fascione. Beppe and I are good friends, yet independently built this model by coincidence at nearly the same time. It flys well, but not any better than a good sport plane of today's standards IMHO. I had aileron flutter with it and resorted to dual servos and counterbalancing. It was a fun plane with an Enya 60III and Gold Metal radio. One day I decided to use it to run-in a YS60. Big mistake. After climbing at a sixty degree angle to 400', I leveled it off and both ailerons separated from the wing. Be careful of the RCME plans as there is a spacing error in the wing ribs. I also had to deviate slightly in the turdledeck as the bulkheads were not quite right. Use good modeling sense and enjoy the build! -Ron
Posted on: 11/27/2011 7:35 PM by Author "grotto2" in the forum "Classic RC Pattern Flying"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10832164