Technologies For Developing Web Pages

In this 249th installment of our show, we get to talk with a couple of gents that have been doing the RC gig for quite a while and are quite well-known. Michael Morgan from DW Foamies fame has expanded his line-up of RC offerings to include some very interesting Multi-Rotor airframes now! Also joining us is Michael's Field Rep/Tester/Lab Rat/Thrasher/Crasher, Chris 'RPMRPM' Madsen.

I had the opportunity last week to test out some of their new frames and have been quite impressed with them. One of the airframes lends itself to a great aerobatic performer, while the other will certainly prove to be a good platform for a small and easily portable 'mini' quad. If you've been in the market for an airframe to suit either of these niches, then you'll want to listen to this episode!

LINKS:

2104 WRAM Show Pics (Courtesy of sawatt)

Mark Harrison's Understanding PID Loops Video

WFU In The News (IFLYOS was involved with this!)

Foam-Tac Foam-Finish RCG Discussion (New product not yet on Beacon's Site)

DW Foamies

MultiRotorSystems

Tornado Frames

MicroBurst 300

Dust Devil 1PQ

RTFQs (Where I get most of my electronics, esp. MWCs)

TCC Episode 249 Slideshow Pics

In this 248th installment of our show, we give you a product review for an inexpensive camera you may want to look at, some event coverage of E-Fest that Vintauri was able to attend (thanks, Steve!), and Witespy is back to share his expertise in the world of multi-rotors. Also, buried somewhere in this show you'll find a PSA (Public Service Announcement) that all modelers should heed.

LINKS:

GearPro 1080 Camera (Amazon)

Woot (Where I got MY GearPro for $60)

GoPro Benchmark Test Video

GearPro Test Video

VintauriRC

Watts Over Owatonna

E-Fest

ReadyToFlyQuads

EOSBandi

With Spring fast approaching, and I know most of us are ready to be done with this Winter stuff, we discuss some things you might want to do to get your fleet ready for the upcoming flying season!

In this 247th episode, we also discuss the sad news that a couple of our favorite RC businesses have (or will be) closing up shop:

ReadyHeli, as we understand it, has ceased operations. However, it looks as though HeliDirect may be offering up some warranty service for some of the products that customers may have purchased from RH on a limited basis. Customers needing warranty service may want to get in touch with HeliDirect customer service to find out how they may be able to help.

Also, after 26 years in the business, it seems that Miniature Aircraft (a leader in the domestic RC helicopter industry) will cease operations on February 28th. This is particularly sad, as MA has been known industry wide for the fine products that they made right here in the good old U.S. of A. Check their website for details on where their existing stock will be going so you can stock up on parts for your favorite heli!

LINKS:

HeliDirect

Miniature Aircraft

Yusuf's Scratch-built Y6

FPV Camera Mount That Nav Printed

World's Smallest FPV Quad?

AP Quad Inspection Of Sinkhole

Doculam

MetroGTi's P-38 In Doculam

Gear Pro Camera (I'll be reviewing the 1080P model soon)

Our pet project this year, as it was last year, is the Wings For Wishes Montana IV event that benefits the Make A Wish foundation in Montana. This year will be the fourth annual event and if you cannot make it but still want to help them out, please consider making a donation to this great cause!

In this 246th installment, we catch up on a couple of news pieces that we've forgotten to share for the last two weeks, and then we get to catch up with the PhlatBoyZ' Mark and Trish Carew. They advise that the OpenBuilds site is up and rocking, and boy are there some neat projects going on over there! If you're wondering what the heck the title of this week's show is all about, well, it should be clear when you listen in. :)

LINKS:

Wings For Wishes Montana IV DONATE Address

WATTS Article In Model Aviation

Mark H. Noodle Copter In Makezine

Noodle Copter on BoingBoing

Noodle Copter Stability

Mark's EastBayRC Site

PhlatForum

OpenBuilds

OpenBuilds Parts Store

During our streamed recording session, I also streamed a slideshow to our audience with pictures of a couple of new Ready To Fly OPQ's from ReadyToFlyQuads (which, incidently, sold out during our broadcast LoL). This got me to thinking! I would LOVE to have your pictures of the projects you are working on to stream during our weekly prodcasts! If you would like us to share YOUR project, email me a JPG image and I will include it in the slideshow! PRO TIP: Open up the image in your image editor (Paint works well for this on Microsoft systems) and put in your user name before sending the pic to my email address that I include in the lead-out music in each show.

This 245th episode is a prime example of how, no matter how hard you may plan, Murphy's Law sometimes pops in to prove who's really the boss. LoL We started off with a plan for this show and then we thought our planned guest wouldn't be able to make it, then Tim King had to work late, then Laine's internet connection flaked out. Fortunately, our guest WAS actually able to pop in and help us out, so all in all, we ended up with a pretty informative show. :)

After our round table discussion of our recent activities, we share some news of the items that Horizon Hobby has impressed us with during the Nuremburg 2014 exhibition. Then we get on to meeting up with our friend CK from RiteWingRC to talk about some general topics regarding Flying Wings. There is some really good info on this! Thanks so much to Chris for coming on and sharing his expertise in this area!

LINKS:

Crash's FLIP 1.5 For Dummies Video

Horizon's Nuremburg 2014 Announcements

WingCGCalc (This is the calculator that I use)

RiteWingRC (This is where you get the BEST Wings!)

In this 244th installment of our show, we get a chance to visit with Witespy from ReadyToFlyQuads to answer some questions regarding MultiWii-based flight stabilization, troube shooting, and the like. We also get to learn about some new products that have been added to their line-up, as well as some spectacular pricing that you guys will all want to enjoy!

We've also got a short news segment, and news of the Ground Hog Day sale over at West Michigan ParkFlyers. If you've been pining for one the the cool EPP planes from WMPF, you may want to take advantage of this sale. If you order any standard size 'Short Kit' for the Yak 55M , McFoamy or MX2 on February 2nd, you'll get a foam parts of the same plane for FREE. That's like almost 2 kits for the price of one!

LINKS:

WMParkFlyers

Some Dissatisfied DJI Owners

Wings For Wishes MT IV DONATIONS (Event is August 16, 17)

MantaRay Proto Testing (Watch the WHOLE video!)

Mett1971's DX7 Mod (A VERY useful upgrade)

MultiWii For Fixed Wing

Multirotor Systems (Check out those frames!)

ReadyToFlyQuads (Lots of new stuff, incl. some GREAT ESCs!)

Remember, we stream the recording of each show LIVE as it happens at 7pm CST every week. Being present LIVE not only gets you the opportunity to hear all of our goofs that never make the final cut, but also gives you the chance to ask questions through the live chat interface as well as the opportunity to win some cool stuff sometimes. During this show, Witespy gave away about a half-dozen MinimOSD boards that allow for On Screen Display for MultiWii Flight Stabilization Systems! This week's lucky recipients were RCPtero, Cathead Biscuit, MardMarl, Disco_Stu_NZ, BrownEyedFool, And Xenonion! Bookmark our LIVE SHOW PAGE and join in on the fun!

This week's show (number 243) is one where we answer another listener letter. Last week we addressed some great solutions for a first balsa kit, and this week we get into a discussion on the different adhesives available to you and which ones you might consider for whatever you happen to be building, be it a foam-based kit or a balsa one!

If YOU have a question that you'd like us to discuss on a future show, please feel free to email us at the address I share in the leadout music of each show. We are always here to help you folks enjoy this great hobby as much as possible.

LINKS:

OPQ Frames At RTFQs

WMPF Highlander

JR 28X (Frickin' WOW!)

Graupner MZ-24 (Looks like a VERY nice radio!)

MZ-24 Video (It talks!)

This 242nd installment of our show has us back in the workshop for our first show of 2014! After a brief recap of some of our activities over the Holiday break, and a few news items, we get into our main topic of discussion - finding that kit for your first balsa build.

Now as most folks know, the annual SEFF event is fast approaching and we only have about 90 days to get everything built, repaired, and prepared for this thing. As most know, Team Cobra tries to pull off something new and unusual for every event, and this year will be no different. We hope to continue the madness with the "2014SEFFFATCCCGWSUCNRC". What is this, you say? Well, it is short (LoL) for The 2014 SEFF First Annual Team Cobra/Crash Cast GWS Unlimited Class Night Rally Challenge! LoL The challenge is to come to SEFF with any GWS airframe of your choosing, all decked out with lighting for night flying, and with ANY power system of your choosing. We plan to light up the skies each night with a horde of these plans, flying laps around Hodges Field just ast fast and low as we can! These airframes fly well, are CHEAP, and come in a variety of styles, BUT they are not very durable, so you may do like we are doing and plan on bringing a spare airframe to get through the week (I've already purchased a pair of Formosa kits). Without a doubt, there will be lots of carnage and laughter, so snag up a kit, or two to secure your place in the fun! We are even thinking about having some sort of recognition for the coolest plane, the ugliest plane, and God only knows what else! You know how we do this - we make it all up as we go. :)

LINKS:

Vintauri's SketchUp For RC Series

First VinauriRC Review For 2014

OpenBuilds Gets Mention At 3Ders.org

AirDroids (Interesting Multi Found By Yusuf P.)

Hitec X-1 Touch (A very nice charger!)

New Motors And ESCs At RTFQs (Check out the small motors!)

HURC GWS Offerings (Where I got MY GWS plane!)

Kit manufacturers to consider for your first balsa kit:

Stevens Aero

Mountain Models

Sig Mfg

Hobby Express (Check out the Telemasters!)

House Of Balsa

Park Scale Models

Guillows (A little more challenging to build, but FUN!)

Whizard Plans From A Post On RCG

McClain Foam Wing Cores For Whizard! (Found it this morning!)

My goodness! With the recording of this 241st show, TheCrashCast has been attempting to bring you guys news, tips, and information on the RC hobby for five years now! We've averaged just over 48 shows per year, too, which certainly isn't too bad for a non-paying gig. LoL

In this recording, we reminisce a bit about this last year and briefly discuss some goals for the next year (more fixed-wing!!). We also take the opportunity to give a little back to some of the people that have offered up some financial support for the next year's expenses. The OPQ package was won by Tom E., The MiniBipe package was won by Kevin W., The DX7s and FliteLab Hockey Jersey went to Darin C., The Helimax Axe 100CP Demo unit donated by Cathead went to Greg O., and West Michigan Parkflyers jumped in at the last minute and allowed us to give away one of their airframes to Michael B.!

With this recording in the can, so to speak, we will be stepping away from the mics for a couple of weeks to enjoy the holidays with our families, but no worries -  we will be back to kick off our 6th season with another LIVE-streamed show on Wednesday evening, January 8th, at 7pm CST.

Merry CHRISTmas to all of you, and may you all have the Happiest Of New Years!!

LINKS:

110 Years Ago

ReadyToFlyQuads

WMParkflyers (Watch the SITE on CHRISTmas!!)

FliteLab

"self discovery and soul searching"???

New Site For LIVE Shows

In this 240th installment of our show, we get an opportunity to visit with Bernd from Cox International! While they've almost been forgotten with the onset of Electrics, Cox engines are what started off so many of us in this great modeling hobby. Bernd tells us about the inventory he has, which seems to be rather plentiful, so you guys needing parts to repair your beloved Cox stuff needn't worry a bit! In fact, you can even snag up some of these original beauties and enjoy a Cox yourself, if you've never had the experience!

This week we debuted a new site for streaming our LIVE show each week, and I have to say that I am quite pleased with the results! If you can get away next Wednesday evening at 7pm Central Standard Time, stop by our NEW SITE for our stream and check us out!

LINKS:

Sponsor Gift Program (Deadline is midnite, Dec. 16th!)

Get Your OPQ At RTFQs!

Dekeract (Interesting design)

Spiderex Micro (Thanks, Yusuf!)

Horizon Changing Hands?

Cox International