EarlyBird
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Arduino programming for beginners.
EarlyBird replied to Chris Bott's topic in Gadgets and Electronics
I started in the early 70s on what I thought was an ICL PDP10 using Basic as an introduction to computer programming. In the early 90s this came useful when working on desktop computers Intel 8080 8 bit chips if I remember correctly also dabbled with machine code in the absence of suitable compilers and Interactive Development Environments. Next came the microcontroller with IDE and compilers still used basic though. Today Basic is old hat and any form of C will be useful in the future. I had to switch to C# when I was using Visual Studio to create Web Sites. I also programmed touch screen PLCs. Learn C in some form, find a project that is of interest to you and go from there. And never give up. You never know where it will lead. Steve -
Graham Yes time is a great healer. When I was working I had many nightmare jobs. Years later I can only remember the funny incidences, even though they did not feel funny at the time. Peter I am in that club. I tried inverted at a great height though. It was like my first lesson ever, like learning to fly again fortunately I had also tried rolls previously so after less than a second I rolled out as it dived to the ground and recovered it. So now when inverted I am constantly saying to myself up is up up is up... meaning pushing the elevator stick up makes the plane go up. Building, for me, was always the attraction if it flew proved a good job had been done on the build. Now that I can fly competently enough for the plane to last more than a few seconds I have ditched the ARTFs and exclusively building from plan packs. Next step will be building from a plan. Steve
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Thanks Peter When I started RC, two years ago, damaging my first plane, An Ares ALARA was of great concern to me. I soon learned not to think about anything else but flying the plane keeping fully focused from start to finish. I then was advised to buy a plane with an undercarriage suitable for the A test so I bought a Riot. It lasted six weeks and it hurt when I destroyed it. I was told six weeks was good the average was two weeks and could be as little as one take off. Not to be beaten my second Riot lasted six months before I gave up repairing it. It still hurt. Next a HK Crusader that lasted over a year and I did some thing really stupid. I had already learned not to fly if my brain was not fully focused. I had one charged battery left that day so as you have probably guessed I took off well into the flight time I realized I was feeling really tired then the timer went off, more pressure, the approach was wrong, both line and level, the inevitable happened I tip stalled it and cartwheeled. That really hurt. I find repeating a mistake when I should know better knocks the confidence. What amazed me was that I did not break the prop. I am now flying my second Crusader which, I hope, will last two years. Yes crashing is inevitable but with time and practice the frequency goes down. For me the plane has become a dispensable part of flying. What is important is having fun. I still have the ALARA obviously it is not in perfect out of the box condition but it flies and continues to give me hours of pleasant stick time. 4-Max yes your recommendations have been noticed on other threads and proven to be justified. I was well impressed by what I bought. I feel sad now thinking about all the planes I have destroyed. On with the build so that I can maiden it and fly it for as long as I can make it last. This is fun. Steve
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Just to prove i do listen I have removed the prop. This is a days work for me. What you have only removed a prop! At this rate it will take years. I had a problem with the spinner which had an 8 mm hole and the prop shaft was 6 mm obviously something was wrong that was why I mocked it up in the photo with the prop fitted. Eventually I realised that 8 mm is the size of a collet style prop adapter. Checked the instructions for reversing the shaft on 4-max followed the procedure and job done. That only took me a couple of hours. Then made a 1/16 balsa spacer tacked it to the nose ring once dry refitted the motor and nose ring. I am quickly becoming a fan of 4-max loads of useful information on the site complete parts lists for planes motor prop and esc combinations this really makes it easy. Tomorrow I will do what I was going to do today make the cowl. Hopefully Steve
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Ok I was being flippant. That prop is a cheap HK prop I used to use ones from the LMS but I worked out it was costing me £5 a flight on a bad day. So I bought ten of those at £1.20 or so. And I still have eight a year later, the moral could be if you want to stop breaking props buy a bulk load of cheap props. But my instructor corrected this idea by telling me that it was a nice story but you stopped breaking props because you learned to fly. Which really is the reason. Not saying I do not crash I have written off two planes recently but the props did not break. Does that mean they are strong props? Could this be the universal solution to broken props? No its just the way you crash that makes the difference. I always put the prop on when setting up so I can tell if it is turning the right way. But the model is restrained, I always stand behind the prop, transmitter is on first, throttle is full back and throttle lock is on. The only time this will fail is if the throttle has been reversed. Never done it myself but have witnessed it. Now you have made me think...... What I should do before fitting the prop is exactly the same procedure, just to make sure the motor does not start unexpectedly. Once that has been established then fit the prop. Good idea. I just remembered what my Dad told me years ago "Son your sense of humour will get you into trouble one day" Steve
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Are we going off topic and should we start a new Telemetry thread? Steve
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Motor mounted Now the prop is fitted I usually take that as a sign it is nearly finished. If it was an ARTF it would be but then this building from a plan pack is so much more rewarding. BTW this is only a mock up and I know the prop (12x6) is too big for the motor but it was the only one I had. I would have used a broken prop, as others do, but I do not have one. Where do you all get them from? Steve
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As a novice I thought telemetry was cheating. Steve
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Posted by Hayden Brown on 13/07/2020 12:11:37: I ordered my Ben Buckle Junior 60 so will see how she goes. Someone was commenting on the price of balsa. Down here in New Zealand it is exhorbantly expensive. I see that you can buy 1/4" x 4" x 36" for GBP 2.45 which is $4.90 in our money. We are charged $12 per sheet which is 6 quid!! I Should start buying it in the UK and ship it down here.Same goes for plywood. Whats the best place to buy good balsa in the UK? Anyway give a few months and i should have my Junior 60. I bought a plan pack from Hangaronekits in NZ and included the additional wood pack by what you say I will not be doing that again. I have just checked in my scrap box and 1/8" x 3" x 36" is marked as $6.15. That was a year ago. Steve
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Forum weekend prize draw - winners!
EarlyBird replied to David Ashby's topic in All Things Model Flying
David I know he is used to everybody getting his name wrong because when I first met him he was very emphatic about how it was pronounced to the point of spelling it out. Steve -
So it does thanks kc. I knew I had seen it some where but having read so much on the forum I am having problems finding useful information again. Apparently it is an age thing. Does that mean you are young or I am prematurely old? Steve
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Hmm I am having trouble finding any detailed photos of how it is done. Just a min Lucas Hoffman's build springs to mind. Yes page 8 use the spinner ring and some wood spacers. Obvious!!! Considering that was Lucas's first I hope mine is at least half as good. Steve
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Odd you should say that because I copied it from Miss Sizzle, I think. This is my first cowl ever. I have mounted the motor and had come back to the forum to see how the nose ring is fixed to the front of the motor. One of my club mates recommended this to me, he built a bigger version. Steve
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Dickw Thanks that's good information. Steve
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I have shaped the light ply plate ready to build the cowl onto. Steve
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Forum weekend prize draw - winners!
EarlyBird replied to David Ashby's topic in All Things Model Flying
Posted by Dave Cunnington on 10/07/2020 13:55:14: Victorian post from me Rgds DC David Do you mean Dave Cunnington? -
David What a beauty! Another one on my to do list, I think. I also went flying yesterday and two members were having a discussion regarding a new Radian that was wind milling. 'You need an esc programming card, I have one at home which I will bring next time' So having just read up on how to do this I was able to explain how to do it using the sticks. Amazingly it worked first time and he was dead chuffed. I was also pleased but this made me think are all esc programmed the same and indeed are they all made in the same factory and badged for different suppliers? But then as you say that is another story. You are welcome! Steve
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Back into the hobby after decades away
EarlyBird replied to Gina Purcell's topic in Why Not Say Hello....
A very nice introduction Gina. My first plane was a Vulcan also from the sweet shop, I must have been about five. Launched it with a rubber band between thumb and for finger it would loop nicely but with no directional control my Dad spent many a happy hour retrieving it form the house roof. Happy memories indeed. Steve -
Ok Matthew here are some photos. Photos Steve
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Obviously another electric version. Edited By EarlyBird on 12/07/2020 15:01:59
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