Hello Js,

Js>>Sounds like you've done some REAL flyin! <<

Can't get any better <g>... except for the cost. I am rated as multi-land-complex (briefed). I don't fly anymore... Maybe one time a year or two times a year. I will sometimes get a call from a friend or two, and take to the air. I lost my medical, when I went deaf. In aviation, you have two licenses (per se) you have your license that "rates" you, and you have your medical. If you lose your medical, you have not lost your license, but you can't fly because it takes both the medical and license to fly legally. So, nomatter how they "candy" up the idea you don't lose your license.... you lose it <g>.


Js>>I'm pretty low-end at this point, but I'm learning fast. My problem is that I tend to get into something (ie, RC airplanes), learn "just enough" about them, then start doing modifications and upgrades that are out of scope of the original hobby. At least here I'm trying to meld the RC hobby with the PIC/electonics hobby. I'm a mechanical engineer by training, so most of this stuff comes fairly easy (though at the expense of my free time...)<<

But this is what is important and fun. And it is because of things like this, my Tag line exists. I enjoy playing in different areas of electronics, and when I see a improvement, I go for it. Its called positive thinking, with a little bit of fun, wit, and adventure to learn.

Js>>Anyhow, 6-7 cell NiCd batteries were the start of electric R/C,<<

Oh!... We are talking Battery planes!... I was thinking Gas powered planes <g>. I think I only saw 1 electric plane fly. They were just coming out when I stopped flying R/C. They were greatly underpowered, and you flew at about 2 MPH over stall speed. (or it seemed).

Js>>The other downsides of LiPo's is that you can't overcharge them (they explode) and you can't run them down below 3 volts or you'll damage them - hence my voltage monitor project.<<

Excellent... How long does it take to charge? and How long of a flight?

Js>>Transmission is at 72MHz for air, and I think it's 75MHz for ground vehicles. Many of the new radios are digital, and in my case, fully programmable as well.<<

Ok, then Green and white was a different frequency. I switched to Ham bands (50 mhz range) because noone had Ham licenses then...You had to pass Code tests and stuff <g>. Thus I and only 1 other person flew 50 mhz. Very nice frequency.

Js>>Check out www.rcgroups.com for some great discussion and info on the "state of the art" of electronic flight!<<

I shall...

By the way...Why don't you use that same PIC chip to monitor your Receiver battery too? And when it gets low, kill your motor? Imagine 1 pic chip to help you save your bird, and save your battery at the same time....Nothing like losing a receiver in mid flight...<g>

I remember one time, I was flying a R/C P51 Mustang...it was a .40 engine... I was doing manuevers with it at the airfield...I was doing some loops, and at the very top of the loops, you must do two things to make them look perfect....

1. Cut power.
2. Let off the elevator.

When doing this, two things happen. 1. It puts less stress on the airplane coming out of the dive (Less power). 2. It "softens" the top part of the loop, so that the elevator doesn't "Kick the nose" down, and make it look like a Egg Loop. Well, coming at the top of my loop, I cut power... and no power was cut...I checked my elevator, and no response... I put down my transmitter and started walking while the bird was still flying. My friends thought I was nuts. But I knew....The bird did exactly what I thought it would.... full power at a 30 degree angle into the ground, as it came out of the loop. Needless to say...the bird didn't survive the crash...I was hurt, because I had close to 1000 hours on that bird. I guess it was close to retirement anyhow...I just would have liked to retire it a different way.

Dwayne