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Martin Harris - Moderator

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  1. Martin Harris - Moderator
    A clubmate flies (and builds!) with one hand (and less significantly for flying) one leg.   His transmitters are modified by this firm and here's a picture I took of his latest one this afternoon. Sorry about the quality - it was with my mobile phone.   As can be seen, he flies with his left hand - the throttle is the slider on the side and the labelling is for the trims. The rudder is the large knob on the left stick.
  2. Martin Harris - Moderator

    Martin Harris - Moderator posted a gallery image in Member Albums

  3. Martin Harris - Moderator
    Posted by John Privett on 09/10/2010 20:16:34: Posted by Martin Harris on 09/10/2010 00:18:03: I do feel there's a great deal of emotive reaction to this subject.  As far as I can see (this is my opinion not based on any formal qualification but on listening to the BMFA insurance expert and various research) insurance is there to cover any accident caused by equipment failure, inexperience, ineptitude or just plain bad luck.     Not quite Martin.  BMFA (or any third-party liability insurance) will not pay out in cases of pure "bad luck."  There has to be a liability (which if necessary can be tested in a civil court) for any payout to be made.  Bit of a tangent I know,  but it's a point the BMFA stress from time to time but people often don't seem to get.      Yes, I didn't phrase that very well and it's a very misunderstood point about insurance.   What I should have said was unforeseen circumstance bringing about a mistake or failure attributable to the pilot or operator.
  4. Martin Harris - Moderator
    Posted by kc on 09/10/2010 14:26:58: We need the BMFA to help us to decide which equip is safe to fly with.  They have in the past said that certain RC stuf is not good enough for aircraft use e.g. dry cells in 35mhz etc. So there is clear precedent.   This is a safety matter and the BMFA need to act.  Its  nothing to do with trade regulations but about which RC equip complies with UK RC regulations  They've done just the same here - they've already issues a generic warning.  As Erfolg has so rightly said, to name particular equipment would leave the BMFA (that's most of us by the way) to legal action and possible ruin. Edited By Martin Harris on 09/10/2010 19:27:45
  5. Martin Harris - Moderator
    Just had a report from my network of observers (SWMBO) that it's been sunny in Great Yarmouth for the last hour so fingers crossed that with these Easterlies it might brighten up in the rest of the country soon!
  6. Martin Harris - Moderator
    Sorry kc, but I disagree fundamentally here.  The BMFA have no power or responsibility to recommend or approve equipment other than advising that the presence of a CE mark shows that the manufacturer or importer has certified the equipment compliant with the rellevant requirements.   If fake or misleading markings are applied this is a matter for the regulatory bodies and Trading Standards. The BMFA could raise their concerns with these bodies of course if these goods are being retailed within the EU.   BTW, I'm at a loss to understand how a standard receiver transmits 100mw or more!  However, if people are personally importing transmitters or modules then this is a good point to check - but as the importer it is their responsibility to do so.Edited By Martin Harris on 09/10/2010 13:07:17
  7. Martin Harris - Moderator
    Looks OK for later this afternoon according to Metcheck and tomorrow looks good!
  8. Martin Harris - Moderator
    ...and raising the profile of a grey area tends to make it black and white!
  9. Martin Harris - Moderator
    I do feel there's a great deal of emotive reaction to this subject.  As far as I can see (this is my opinion not based on any formal qualification but on listening to the BMFA insurance expert and various research) insurance is there to cover any accident caused by equipment failure, inexperience, ineptitude or just plain bad luck.   You cannot expect insurance to cover you against a deliberate act and particularly an illegal one but as BEB has said time and time again, the CE mark is a requirement for sale not use and buying via a recognised supplier would be a pretty good cover against the unlikely event of prosecution for using out of spec. equipment.   You'd have to make your own mind up about using a £10 receiver in a  > 7kg model and possibly be prepared to defend your decision in having "satisfied yourself that the flight could be safely made" with the cheap receiver if it caused an incident that was investigated, when the "average" user sees fit to spend maybe 10 times that amount in that class of model, but it may well be considered reasonable to use one on a lightweight model especially if they build up a good reputation over time.   Of course the BMFA has to publish advice against a worst case scenario but anything in the handbook other than reference to air law is purely advice from our national body.  They are not in a position to state categorically that equipment A is legal and equipment B is not - that would be a legal minefield!
  10. Martin Harris - Moderator
    Good stuff, Robin. Oddly enough one of my clubmates announced he was interested in getting some E-Retracts yesterday afternoon - is there a UK agent or should I point him to your site when it's up?
  11. Martin Harris - Moderator
    Posted by Richard Wood on 08/10/2010 10:21:27: Same here. Hope it's not a portent...   Reminds me of when a large camping shop chaini folded...due to portents...  Sorry!  
  12. Martin Harris - Moderator
    There's unlilely to be any problem as this is normal for a tight tolerance ABC engine. The bore is slightly tapered and expands more at the top as it reaches running temperature - hence it feeling right when it's warm.   This is the reason why you should run in at only slightly rich settings - rather than the slobbery rich settings needed for a ringed engine.Edited By Martin Harris on 07/10/2010 23:49:40
  13. Martin Harris - Moderator
    I had some plans scanned and printed after I'd enlarged them at a firm called Aneataprint in Watford 01923 819 779 who have branches in central and NW London.   They were very accurate, reasonably priced and could print virtually any length on A0 and (for a considerably more expensive price) slightly wider top quality paper.   I don't think they are unusual in printing off the roll though, so it might be worth talking to local firms, assuming this one would be well out of your way.  
  14. Martin Harris - Moderator
    I do recall reading about them in the magazine and yes, they do look very tidy but I'm talking about electrical and electronic complexity. If something should get hot in that little box it could potentially fry the whole thing - then where are you?Edited By Martin Harris on 07/10/2010 13:27:49
  15. Martin Harris - Moderator
    Posted by David Ashby - RCME Administrator on 07/10/2010 13:09:28: The Powerbox Digiswitch reduces complexity   1. it's not a mechanical switch so removes a potential source of problems in higher current applications 2. It has a built-in regulator so saves space and wiring.   It's a beautiful thing     I'm not sure how introducing a regulator and electronic switching can reduce complexity but I'm sure it's a clever bit of kit. However a GOOD QUALITY switch of sufficient rating is unlikely to fail and is backed up anyway in my favoured system. Edited By Martin Harris on 07/10/2010 13:23:42
  16. Martin Harris - Moderator
    Highly recommended method for electric retracts in case the servo stalls.   You need a Y lead and to remove the power feed from the receiver (Futaba red lead) on one leg and connect the battery to the other.  I think Timbo has a diagram somewhere...?Edited By Martin Harris on 07/10/2010 13:17:18
  17. Martin Harris - Moderator
    I've used the 2 battery, 2 switches, 2 connections to the receiver methd without any diodes etc. method successfully. The only requirements are that the batteries are the same technology and cell count and that they are charged seperately. You can add a diode to each pack if you use 5 cells if you want to but it isn't essential.   In my opinion, introducing a power box with multiple components and connections introduces an excessive number of potential failure points but some form of back-up is always a good idea in a largish or expensive (in monetory or work terms) model.Edited By Martin Harris on 07/10/2010 13:04:26
  18. Martin Harris - Moderator
    Posted by Tim Mackey - Administrator on 07/10/2010 11:35:38: A pleasant update on this matter - I started it off by referring to the cheapy little spektrum clone receivers from Hobby City - having just looked again at some un-opened ones, I am relieved to see they do in fact carrry the CE marking on the "packaging". Yippee. Now, just my luck, BEB is gonna tell me thats the China Export mark instead    I don't know what BEB will say but it doesn't appear to conform with the CE mark which is based on segments of 2 adjacent overlapping circles.   Edited By Martin Harris on 07/10/2010 12:47:20 Edited By Martin Harris on 07/10/2010 12:50:03
  19. Martin Harris - Moderator
    Robin,   From your new viewpoint, how do you view the point about the electronics being kept seperate from the mechanical unit?  Will you be pressing for a re-design?    
  20. Martin Harris - Moderator
    Posted by Steve Hargreaves on 06/10/2010 14:06:37:   Seems a typical 4 cell AA Rx pack will be more than adequate for most "Sports" applications then..... Always has been!
  21. Martin Harris - Moderator
    You would think that, wouldn't you!
  22. Martin Harris - Moderator
    ..and stock up with some goodies as well.  You did, didn't you? They are the onlt stockists I've found of 2mm nylocs - invaluable!
  23. Martin Harris - Moderator
    Go with modelfixings as Andy suggests - you'll get them the next day and they stock 16mm length amongst many others...
  24. Martin Harris - Moderator
    All I can offer is that I would be wondering what was wrong if I put more than 270 - 300 mA back into an average 5 servo sports model after 3 10 minute flights and that would include any fiddling time either side of flying and a few days of inactivity.Edited By Martin Harris on 05/10/2010 20:23:53
  25. Martin Harris - Moderator
    Posted by eric loakes on 02/10/2010 19:02:50:   By the way as from now, I'm an electric flyer !!    Eric.   Perhaps when you get a bit older you'll get over it and do some proper modelling!   I always say that there's a place for electric motors in any model   ....in the servos!   (say's me who's probably done 70% of my flying on EP models this year - but I'm an oily man at heart)    
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