RE: RCU member and jet modeler in a serious accident
I am considering getting another motorcycle and have heard all these before. It really does not matter, whether riding a bike, walking your dog, or making sweet love to your favorite lady(or man); when its your, time its your time and there is nothing you can do about that. We all get on commercial airplanes everyday but we never think; all it takes is a small broken part or a seagull through the motor and the plane is going down. We just don't think about it because its common place, but when a plane goes down and kills 80+ people we don't hear people saying, "I will never fly again." What they do say is, "Oh, my god what a tragedy, what time is our flight tomorrow?" and keep going. Just my .02. Patrick I also want to wish a fellow rider a speedy recovery.
Posted on: 5/18/2013 12:56 PM by Author "sirrom" in the forum "RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11515279

RE: Very bad answer from HH service department
I have a question for Ron. Are you now back in good graces with HH since they finally took care of you or are you still on the outs? I am in customer service so to speak, I work for an IT dept and we support our users. We take care of our users, our customers, when they call the first time. Not when they have to go to my boss and get us to do what we should have done in the first place. I read these types of posts where someone is ranting about how HH treated them or how Futaba treated them until they get a satisfactory resolution then they are all happy with that company again. Why? I used to use nothing but JR servos and Gyros in my planes, until I got an 8411 that was bad out the package and a gyro that had alot of thermal drift. So I returned both to HH for repair/replacement and they lost it. Even though I had tracking and signature information they kept saying they never received the package. After 7 months of this someone finally took the time to research the problem and found my package that had been sitting on the shelf awaiting payment for service. Had to fax them a copy of my receipt showing that I had bought both items new and about a month before I shipped them back to them, which incidentally I had put a copy in the box for them and even had an RMA number. They of course replaced everything for free because they were defective. That one incident has left a bad taste in my mouth and I have not bought another JR/HH product since. When you can't take the time to do what's right the first time to help your customer then you shouldn't be in business. I have had problems with my futaba and hitec gear and have had an issue or two with support but NOTHING that even comes close to what happened with HH. This is not a GP vs HH vs whoever debate but a debate based on service. Like i said I have had some issues with other companies as well. Its like politics, you choose the one that lies less. Patrick
Posted on: 5/4/2012 5:50 AM by Author "sirrom" in the forum "RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11068011

RE: Futaba 14MZ Turbine setup!
[quote]ORIGINAL: siclick33 My preference is to disable the throttle trim completely and use the throttle cut function. That way one switch flick will give you either trim low or trim high without having to worry about trim steps. If using this method, make sure you don't accidentally flick the switch to 'low' when airborne or moving the throttle to idle will shut the turbine off[X(]. [/quote] +1 Patrick
Posted on: 2/7/2012 9:53 AM by Author "sirrom" in the forum "RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10948151

RE: futaba 8fg super for jet turbine flying?
[quote]ORIGINAL: skydve76 There are efficient ways of programming it and inefficient ways.  I originally used all 5 mixes, now I am just using 3.  I even am using it as a gear door sequencer on a 3 way switch. [/quote] I completely agree with the above statement. It seems that modelers are stepping away from properly setting up a model first by mechanical means and then by correcting any bad tendencies with mixes. Patrick
Posted on: 2/6/2012 7:11 PM by Author "sirrom" in the forum "RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10947330

RE: futaba 8fg super for jet turbine flying?
YiMing, I have the 14mz and my son has an 8fg. He hates using my 14mz because it is too big for him so I setup one of my 10 channel jets on his 8fg and let him fly it. It works perfectly fine. It has everything you need to do a setup on a jet but does lack some of the higher end features of my 14mz, but is very comparable to my 9z which I flew jets with prior to my 14z. I guess to answer your question will it work..yes it will. I have not had any issues with the upgrade to 12+2 on his radio. Patrick
Posted on: 2/6/2012 11:20 AM by Author "sirrom" in the forum "RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10946604

RE: So I want to Get a Heli...
Richard, Just went through this myself. My son wanted to get into helis and I used to fly them years ago, Big Nitros. Did not want to get back into nitros but thought I could get him into a good heli by buying a HK 450 pro shaft driven heli and could buy align parts as I needed. Well I ordered and after 200.0 I had a heli. Put it together (per finless bob) and took it out to fly it for him the first time. Well the main gears were so warped that I had to replace them immediately with Align main gear. Ok so I spool it up and hover it and it tracks nicely. Burn through 2 batteries getting it set up. On the third flight I took it up about 8 feet in the air and the torque tube broke so it went spinning out of control into the ground. Ok so replace torque tube, main and tail blades, the fins, and canopy, and a couple of tail parts. So I get it repaired and spool it up and it flies ok. My son does some hovering and the tail holds but is a little twitchy. Adjust the gyro but still twitchy. So after about 6 batteries, and lots of adjustments and still twitching I replace the HK gyro with a futaba 401 and no more twitching. So my son new to the whole battery thing lets two of the batteries get low and they puff up very badly and are ruined. Getting tired of spending more time repairing I found him a nice used raptor 30 with few flights on it, replaced 2 linkages, had it setup in less than a day. One tank to set it up and handed it over to my son. He has flown at least a dozen tanks through it without one problem. Did not keep receipts for it but the HK450 after repairs and additional purchases cost me nearly 365.00 (got gyro used for 85.00) The raptor 30 cost me 260.00 with OS32, descent servos, and I got a gy401 with it. The 2 new linkages from ebay cost me 6.50 w shipping. Used the same RX from the HK450, and I had a RX battery in my shop. yeah I have the reoccuring cost of fuel for the raptor 30 but fuel it and fly it......I will pay the cost of the fuel to avoid the headaches I felt with the HK450. It is an ok helicopter and once you start replacing parts on it with align you will end up with a great helicopter. The raptor 30 is by no means a 3d monster but my son is having fun with it and that's all that matters is having fun. He was not having fun with his HK 450 because it was not flying right, I was not having fun with it because I was tired of repairing it. The other good thing about the raptor 30 is that it can be flown in a good wind. Here is a video of my son actually doing his first hover after I got it done. Watch the exhaust as he hovers, later in the video you will see the helicopter slightly tilting into the wind. The 450 can hover in it but have been a little more challenging http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=fx8Ln9OYjms Patrick
Posted on: 2/2/2012 9:50 PM by Author "sirrom" in the forum "RC Helicopter General Discussions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10941320

RE: Gas RC was a mistake !!!!
How close are you to Sarasota? Patrick
Posted on: 1/8/2012 2:06 PM by Author "sirrom" in the forum "Beginners"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10898315

25% Edge 540 or Extra
I am looking at a new plane for my son. I wanted to get an 25% edge 540 or an extra (73"), but while looking I was hard pressed to find one other than aeroworks. The other thing I am confused about is that I had an Aeroworks 540 25% when they first came out. I put a YS 1.20 on it and it flew fine and I could go vertical with it, torque roll it, etc. Now when I look at the same plane on their site they are calling for a 30cc gas. I guess my question is why? The 1.2 is 19.6 cc so why a 30cc instead of a 20cc? Patrick
Posted on: 12/30/2011 7:50 PM by Author "sirrom" in the forum "Giant Scale Aircraft - General"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10883834

RE: Still don’t know Ni-Cd, Ni-MH, 2S Li-Fe/A123 advantages/disadvantages
I have to give a big +1 to a123 (LiFe) batteries. I have pretty much switched my entire fleet over to them. Especially my turbines. Example. My son has a big stick 60 which had a 2700 mah nicad in it. We could easily get 5-7 11 minute flights on that pack before recharging. I switched his plane over to a 2300 a123 2s pack and he can now do 15 11 minute flights between charges. On a busy weekend of flying we were neglectful and before we caught it he had done 19 flights over two days on one charge. When I did recharge it, it only took me 20 minutes to full charge and that included balancing. My RAM500 could only get two reliable starts, flight, and cooldown on one charge with a 1900mah high discharge nicad pack. Now I can do 6 reliable starts, flights, and cool downs on one charge with an a123. As far as nicads and nimhs being simpler my a123's charge much easier with my cell pro. I set it to the a123 setting plug in the battery's balance/charge plug and let it go. I charge in my plane, it does not a regulator and have never had one lose a charge on me yet. I have Nicads, Nimhs, Lipo, LIon, and LiFe. LiFe is my favorite and probably will be that way for awhile. If the newbie were to do some light reading about the different battery chemistries, what's needed to charge, and how to charge they will be quite successful. Dustben, You actually can tell as the cell voltage drops. you can mearsure the cell voltage with the following.. http://electrodynam.com/rc/EDR-207/index.shtml I own one and it does the job quite nicely. Patrick.
Posted on: 12/20/2011 2:27 PM by Author "sirrom" in the forum "Batteries & Chargers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10868646

RE: Is there an indestructible jet?
As far as taking abuse I would say the Hotspot with the Obechi sheeted wings and slolid fins was almost tank like. I dont think you could beat those for first turbine airplanes. Patrick
Posted on: 12/18/2011 1:49 PM by Author "sirrom" in the forum "RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10865357

RE: Our fate is in this guy's hands?
Just going to chime in with my .02. This guy is scum just like anyone else who has driven drunk even if you have gotten caught or not. Period. I have not lost anyone to a dui, but I know people who have and it really tears a family apart. I have no sympathy whatsoever for him or anyone else like him. Yes, he is in a public office and is a public official so what he does in private should NOT be kept private. If he were to smack his wife around would we want that kept secret too because it has nothing to do with his job? He has a job that has great power so he must be held to a higher standard than most men, and if he can't put up with being held up to that standard then quit the job. If it were the president this happened to, I wonder if John Redman would feel the same. The president is a public official 24hrs of the day. He does not get 1 second to be a regular guy as long as he holds that job, just like any other official in any govt. job. Stop protecting these AS&^%$#S that do this stuff and let them be seen for the complete and total bastards they truly are. Also let me say this now, I have no beef with John R on a personal level. I think he is a great guy who has helped me in the past, but I do take issue with his comments on this matter and this one alone. Patrick
Posted on: 12/6/2011 9:59 AM by Author "sirrom" in the forum "The Clubhouse"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10846142

RE: How close is Realflight to turbine flying??
[quote]ORIGINAL: Dr Honda You know... I've thought about my answer... and I may want to tweak it a bit. OK... if you are young, and are into video games. I have seen more than one time, where a kid will come off of a simulator, and fly an almost perfect first flight. BUT... if you have been flying already... I don't know if it will help. Also... I know of a bunch of people who are 3d masters on a sim... but can fly a real model at all. (The pucker factor is higher, and it's a mental block) Don't get me wrong... I still think my answer above works for the majority of the people out there. Let's face it... some people are naturals. I've been flying for +30 years, and I'm no 3d master. (and I never will be) AND... I am into video games. I'm 40, and I have a Wii, a PS3, a PSP, a 3DS, and my iPhone. But a sim never helped my abilities. What I'm trying to say... everyone is different. So... if you buy a Sim... [b]assume[/b] it's going to be for recreation only. (Especially if you are older, and have been flying RC already) [/quote] I have to say the SIMS are really for those who want to hone their skills or practice a new skill without wrecking a plane. I will relate my story about RC. I learned to fly back in 1989 while stationed in Okinawa japan. My instructor was a japanese modeler who only had enough language skills to get me up, circle the field a few times and land. I come back to the states and drop the hobby for a few years. 1995 I decide to pick up the hobby again. I find an instructor get a plane and go out to fly. He teaches me the same thing plus some loops, some rolls, etc. Being still kind of new never understood why when I had 4 channels why I only used 3, but my instructor did not know how to use rudder so I never learned. So one fateful day I am at the field and another instructor saw my deficiency and volunteered to teach me how to use rudder, so we practiced and I was getting better but cross controlling was still baffling to me and I stuffed more than one airplane trying to learn. So the very first realflight enters the picture. I start practicing my rudder on that in all kinds of conditions on all kinds of different planes. I crash, push a button and go again. Crash, and go...repeat a thousand times over a period of weeks. Finally I could use my rudder consistently on realflight and had used such weather extremes (25 mph straight cross) that when it came time to do it in real life it was a cake walk. The guy who was helping me was amazed at how much I had progressed. Fast forward 13 years and now my son is using realflight to teach himself how to fly aerobatics on a helicopter and 3d flight, it also was invaluable to for him to learn approaches, rudder and cross controls. Can I see a difference in his flying ability, damn straight I can. He is now surpassing me. I don't have any problems giving him the sticks to my helicopter or to one of my jets because I have full confidence in his abilities because of realflight. No it is not exactly like the real thing, but what it does is give you experience in what to do when you are flying the real thing. I still use it because I practice approaches, slow rolls, rolling hover, rolling circles, etc. Realflight will always be installed on one of my computers for the simple fact that it is a great simulator and with a few tweaks here and there you can get a pretty realistic flying plane. Any simulator is going to give you the sense of what you need to do, but it will NEVER give you the absolute feel of the real thing. I know when I go out to fly a jet my heart beats a little faster, my butt clenches a little bit, and my smile gets even bigger. I don't get that on realflight. Patrick
Posted on: 11/8/2011 9:45 AM by Author "sirrom" in the forum "RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10802595

RE: Time to lay down until the feeling passes again.......
[quote]ORIGINAL: JP-1 Please dont do it, you know it can be likened to a reformed smoker having a desire for one ciggarette. You really cant throw away all those years of abstinance for one moment of madness, then you will say  'My why did I do that?' There is help out there, talk to people. <img alt='''' src=''http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/js/fckeditor/editor/images/smiley/msn/wink_smile.gif'' /> [/quote] That is the best analogy that anyone could think of. I am a reformed smoker and every once in awhile I get that feeling that I want a nice long drag on a cigarette. A few deep breaths and it's gone. LGM take some really deep calming breaths and you will get over it. Patrick
Posted on: 9/28/2011 5:47 PM by Author "sirrom" in the forum "RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10739292

RE: Hitec 4 port Charger
I have the hitec and I love it. I charge lipo, nimh, nicad, and a123 with mine. Never has missed a beat. I went with the Hitec for the support. If something goes wrong I can make a phone call and get things taken care of. I vote for the hitec. Also if you wait they are supposed to be releasing a new one with the PS built into it. Now I wish I had waited a little longer. Patrick
Posted on: 9/14/2011 5:16 PM by Author "sirrom" in the forum "RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10716938

RE: where to get RAM phone cord ?
[quote]ORIGINAL: hooker53 [quote]ORIGINAL: sirrom [quote]ORIGINAL: basimpsn I make my own cable but there is a switch with two of the wires Rx to tx. Its not like a extention [/quote] Can you please post a diagram of the pins on both sides. Like I said before I asked my network guys here to make me a cable and they made me a cable that looked like my original one and it did not work
Posted on: 8/15/2011 7:05 PM by Author "sirrom" in the forum "RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10672602

RE: where to get RAM phone cord ?
[quote]ORIGINAL: basimpsn I make my own cable but there is a switch with two of the wires Rx to tx. Its not like a extention [/quote] Can you please post a diagram of the pins on both sides. Like I said before I asked my network guys here to make me a cable and they made me a cable that looked like my original one and it did not work. Then I checked it against a working cable from my second start box and the cables looked exactly the same. Patrick
Posted on: 8/15/2011 10:15 AM by Author "sirrom" in the forum "RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10671773

RE: where to get RAM phone cord ?
[quote]Hey i3dm. All that is, Is a Cat-5 computer plug and cord. If you take your old one to any computer store and let them see the wire color order, they can make you one up. Hope this helps. [/quote] It is not a CAT-5 5 cable. Cat-5 cables have 8 pins the RAM cord only has 6 which is a RJ12 connector. Its not as simple as taking it too a computer store and have them make one. I needed a new on and took it to my network guys they made me a new one but it did not work, 3 of us checked the pins on the ends of a working cable and it was identical, but or some unknown reason the new one still would not work. Jetcat sells the cable if you need it right away. Patrick
Posted on: 8/14/2011 1:59 PM by Author "sirrom" in the forum "RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10670420

RE: BVM Bandit cloning in Brazil
I don't agree with copying someones hard work, it is cheating plain and simple. BUT, let me ask this question is BVM in the wrong for copying North American Aviation's F100 design or any other? Oh it may be smaller but it is a copy and if you go to the link I provided below and scroll down you will see where BV himself is actually measuring and taking pictures of a full size F100 so he can COPY it in miniature. On his site it states," The inlet of the F-100 must be right or the whole front of the fuselage suffers. Since we had access to a real F-100, we actually put a plywood plate, covered with poster board, over the front of the aircraft's inlet and traced it. We then used our "Faro" digitizing arm to record the X-Y components into our AutoCAD system and accurately reproduce it to the 1:6.857 scale of the BVM model." He admits in that sentence I am copying it just smaller. If you are going to throw the red flag about a BVM bandit and intellectual property you better be prepared for some of these aviation companies to do the same thing. Literally BVM's scale planes are copies. All of you who fly his scale planes fly them and pay the high price for them because they are exactly like their full scale counterparts. Is BV giving any of the money he earns from selling his scale planes to the designers of them? Probably not. All I am trying to say if you are going to call foul about the guy in Brazil then call foul for everyone. Cloning is cloing and copying is copying....no matter who does it. http://bvmjets.com/Pages/kits/f-100%20site.htm Flame retardant underwear on. Patrick
Posted on: 7/29/2011 9:56 AM by Author "sirrom" in the forum "RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10645014

RE: Giant Scale battery question
Phantom driver the RX will be a 14 channel 2.4 ghz futaba (6014). I am hoping this should be fine to handle the load I am putting on it as this is the same type of setup I use in all my jets.
Posted on: 7/1/2011 6:05 AM by Author "sirrom" in the forum "Giant Scale Aircraft - General"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10601135

Giant Scale battery question
Setting up a PAU 37% Ultimate and wanted to ask a question about the battery setup. I am running a futaba 2.4 rx with 8 digital servos, one of which being a Hitec 7950 servo and two analog servos for throttle and choke. I was planning on using two A123 batteries into two switches, into two separate RX channels. Is this going to be ok. Or do I need to get a smart fly power expander? This will be my first big plane so just making sure I don't screw anything up. Thanks, patrick
Posted on: 6/30/2011 9:52 PM by Author "sirrom" in the forum "Giant Scale Aircraft - General"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10600834

RE: Start box cable
Johnny, My pins look exactly like you described and still my cable does not work. I guess it is time to buy a new one or two. Check your PM. Patrick
Posted on: 4/20/2011 10:11 PM by Author "sirrom" in the forum "RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10475839

Start box cable
Hey just wondering if anyone can point me in the direction of the cable that goes between the Hand held data terminal (start box) and the ECU of a Remote start RAM. One of the ends on mine broke so I replaced the end with another RJ11 connector and made sure the pin outs were exactly the same as the old end. Well it did not work. Now I do networking for a living and know how to strip and crimp wires but this thing is just screwy. I even had another guy in my office check the wiring and he agreed that it was fine. I even had him replace the end of cable this time to make sure that I had not screwed it up and same problem. So now I say forget it and I am looking for a new cable. Patrick
Posted on: 4/20/2011 11:06 AM by Author "sirrom" in the forum "RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10474646

RAM Parts
I have a RAM 1000 auto start that has the original style starter on it and I would like to upgrade to the newer X style version of the front cover and starter motor. Does anyone have a front cover and starter assembly they would want to part with. Pictures and price to my email address information@livetoflyrc.com. Thanks, Patrick
Posted on: 4/6/2011 9:42 AM by Author "sirrom" in the forum "RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10446733

RE: FUTABA WTR-7 WIRELESS
I have been using it to train my son and it has worked flawlessly. The furthest apart we have gotten has been about 20 feet to test the system and to give him the sensation of flying by himself. I trust the system completely and will continue to use it even when it is time to train him to fly jets. We both have futaba radios so I can't answer the second part of your question. Patrick
Posted on: 12/4/2010 1:12 PM by Author "sirrom" in the forum "RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10175918

Rudder question
Ok. I have never done a poll before but wanted to get the opinions of jet flyers. See this whole thing was sparked by a discussion with a friend about flying. He stated that most jet pilots don't use rudder during a normal flight except for maybe take off and landing. I am very interested in seeing the numbers on this one. Patrick
Posted on: 7/21/2010 10:37 AM by Author "sirrom" in the forum "RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9878735

RE: Best semi-pro camera for filming jets ?
Not really sure what your budget is but this is the camera I use for shooting video of my club stuff, SONY HVR-V1U/1. It has great quality and has never let me down. I usually shoot video from a tripod. I got it because I bought one of the little HD palm sized camcorders to shoot my sons football games and his band stuff, but it sucked. So I talked to some of the students at the school I work at (we have a film department) and this is what they recommended. They use several HD cameras and for the price this is the one I chose. Patrick
Posted on: 6/3/2010 8:58 AM by Author "sirrom" in the forum "RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9777952

RE: Cordless leaf blowers
I use this one and it is great. It puts out alot of air and it works great. Have had mine for about 6 years now and it still works great. I even use it to clean up my driveway after I mow my lawn. Even small and light enough for my 10 year old to use comfortably. That is not the best price but just so you could see what product it was. Patrick http://www.amazon.com/Makita-UB181DZ-Commercial-Cordless-Variable/dp/B000056OXC
Posted on: 4/18/2010 8:58 PM by Author "sirrom" in the forum "RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9670935

RE: DeWalt A123 Packs at Amazon
I have to say thanks to all those on this thread and the ones I have found on RCGroups about the Dewalt A123 packs. After reading alot about how to make my own packs I decided to take the plunge. Well after spending about 63.00 on the pack and ancillary supplies I was able to complete 4 2 cell packs last night in about an hour. What a great feeling to make the packs and then plug them into the charger and have it just work the way its supposed too. By my calculations I figured I have saved roughly 65.00 by making them myself. 3 RX and one ECU pack. Going to test the ECU pack this weekend and if it works as expected I will be picking up another DeWalt battery pack to make some more. Once again thanks because without your know how and ingenuity I would have never tackled this project.
Posted on: 4/9/2010 8:43 AM by Author "sirrom" in the forum "RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9648347

RE: Futaba FASST RX
Thanks guys for the reply. Patrick
Posted on: 3/8/2010 10:28 PM by Author "sirrom" in the forum "RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9566008

Futaba FASST RX
Ok I have seen this question asked before but have never seen it answered with a definite yes or no. The FASST rx is supposed to be installed with it's antennas at 90 degrees to each other for the best reception. Now my question is as follows. I know the lower installation is correct but is the upper one in the picture ok to use? The green is the wire that extends pass the COAX coming from the RX. thanks in advance. Patrick
Posted on: 3/7/2010 9:45 PM by Author "sirrom" in the forum "RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9562911