Technologies For Developing Web Pages

In our 109th installment of the show, we talk a bit about electric power systems, especially how they apply to designs like our QSC TriCopter that we are building for this years Scratch-Build Club project. We actually have two systems that John and I have tried and we like them both. Also, the RCadviser discusses issues that are the real root cause to crashes.

LINKS:

MultiRotor Forums

AfterDarkLED - THE place to get your night-fly lighting!

QSC TriCopter Power Systems:

What I use and good for light payloads

Motors - TP 2410-09

ESC's  HKSS25

Props - APC 10x4.7

What John uses for heavier payloads (GoPro Hero)

Motors - ExceedRC Alpha 480

ESC's - ExceedRC Volcano Series 25 amp

Props - Master Airscrew 3 blade  TB0970 (2 tractor, 1 pusher)

Additional Items

BEC

Switch

My lightweight system flies great with a typical 3s2200 LiPo, while John's more powerful setup flies nicely on a 3s2600 - 3s4000.

Last year we kicked off Crash's Scratch-Build Club with a design of my own, the eQSC. The project was aimed at helping first-time builders successfully build a great flying model via easy-to-follow instructional videos, plans, and templates. This year, we're making this an annual event by jumping in on the Multi-Rotor craze with comprehensive resource materials (plans, templates, documents, and videos) so that ANYONE can build their own Quick, Simple, and Cheap TriCopter! We're going to kick it off this week in our 108th installment by talking all about the airframe!

Also in the episode, the RCadvisor gives us the low-down on Lipo safety and, of course, we talk about a bunch of other stuff. :)

Stuff we talked about:

Inexpensive X-acto Blades (Thanks, Randy!)

Send Your Letters To Congress!

Great e-QSC Landing Gear (Yep, people are STILL building last years' project plane!)

National Balsa (Great prices on the plywood and sticks we'll use onn the Tri)

HobbyPartz (I LOVE the ExceedRC Alpha Motors!)

Quanum Telemetry System (Currently on backorder, but I've got MY order in!)

FancyFoam Going Out Of Business :(

If you are diggin' on TriCopters and you plan to build along with us, following is a Bill Of Materials you'll need to gather for this weeks' segment: QSC TriCopter Airframe:

Two: 12" x 24" x 1/8" Light Ply or Birch Ply

One: 3/4" square, 48" long dowel (or Two 36" lengths)

Six: 4-40 screws 1 - 1 1/4" long

Six: Blind Nuts (preferrable) or locking nuts

Six: 4-40 sized washers (or Twelve if you use the locking nuts instead of blind nuts)

One: 4 1/2" - 4 3/4" x 1/4" diameter rod (aluminum or music wire)

One: 1/4" I.D. Wheel Collar

Three: Nylon Washers, 1/4" I.D.

Two: Nylon Shoulder Bushings, 1/4" I.D.

I am planning to have the templates, instructions, and videos up for the airframe build in the next day, or three. Keep checking AllThingsCrash.com, as that's where all the dope will be!

A guest in the workshop? Youbetcha!

In this 107th show we get to talk with Greg Drusjack, owner of Mud Duck Aviation. If you've been in the hobby for any real length of time, then you no doubt know all about the iconic "Ducks" that were designed by Tom Chipley. Over the years, the Mud Ducks have been described as "beautiful", "so ugly they're beautiful", "just down-right goofy", and even "what the Heck!". Whatever you may think of them personally, though, you'll agree that they are a must-have staple for any hangar. Don't believe me? Just build one and take it to your local field and see if you can find ANYONE without a smile on their face when they see it. LOL

LINKS:

Check Out The AllThingsCrash Poll

Tell Congress To Protect Model Aviation!

Mud Duck Aviation

In this 106th release of our show, Tim and I continue on with our discussion from last week regarding "Unconventional Tools". Also, the RCadvisor tells us about using Expo in our radios for the throttle channel (something I honestly never thought of doing, but will certainly check out!), and we have a special guest in the workshop to talk with us about an inexpensive flight stabilization system for our multi-rotor designs.

LINKS:

RCRepublic

468mph World Record!

Rascal in Foam?

Fiskars Mat

The Clamps I Like To Use

My New TriCopter!

In this week's installment we'll share some pictures and videos sent in from some of our listeners, and then discuss some tools we use that were not necessarily manufactured with the purpose of RC in mind. Also, the RCadvisor is back with another segment and you get still another update on my TriCopter project (it's only a ball-link away from flying!).

LINKS:

Pictures of Stef's TriCopter (featured on ATC)

Stef's Tri Flying in Windy Perth, Australia

11 year-old Jase Rockin' a McFoamy (from WMParlkFlyers)

Japanese Flush Cut Saw

Multi-Purpose Angle Finder

Wolfcraft EasyCut Utility Cutters

Mintcraft Contour Gauge

This week we discuss perhaps the hottest product announcement this quarter - the release of a new flavor of Spektrum's DSM technology. Was it the "J" standard like what Futaba has with their FASST system that I predicted quite some time ago? It doesn't look like it. Spektrum continues the love with their release of the new DX10T transmitter with a form factor reminiscent of what the folks in Europe have enjoyed for many years. In addition to these discussions, we'll talk about some listener emails, the BluWing Tim is getting at SEFF, and the RCadvisor discusses the use of digital servos with FM transmitters.

LINKS:

How To NOT Be Safe With Your Heli (Thanks, Stef!)

Matt's TriCopter Adventure (Lots Of Data, Vids, and Pics - Thanks, Matt!)

Spektrum DSMX Announcement

Spektrum DX10T (Mikey Likes It!)

HellRazor_77's BluWing (note that when this drops off the first page you can find it in the ALL ARTICLES section of my site)

Discussion Of HellRazor's "454"

In our 103rd show we delve into a couple of product reviews! After sharing a couple of listener emails, we'll tell you all about Ron's new Hyperion Sniper and my SlowBipe that I've been trying to spotlight for a couple of weeks now. Also, there's a pretty thorough update on my TriCopter project, and the RCadvisor is back again this week for some continued discussion on finding an optimal Center Of Gravity (CG) for your plane.

LINKS:

Gary's Workshop-In-A-Box

Ron T's eQSC Mid-Wing

RCG MultiWiiCopter Thread (It's A BIG One!)

SparkFun Inventor's Kit (Mine's on it's way!)

SlowBipe Review (Sorry, still a work in process)

Sniper

This week we dip into the ol' mailbag to share some great emails we've received and answer a listener's question about batteries. We also share some cool video links and a great servo database I found while researching a modest-priced tail-roto gyro servo I've been needing for my helicopter. As well, the RCadvisor is back with another informative segment, too!

LINKS:

Sniper X2 3D

Servo Database

Urs' 20" Depron AJ Slick

FSW3 Maiden

We are smack in the middle of building season here in the states, so it seems as good a time as any to have our annual safety discussion to help our new pilots (and perhaps even some seasoned ones) to stay safe while enjoying this great sport. In this 101st installment we'll discuss safety in the workshop, safety while transporting your toys, and even some safety at your flying site. Remember, it's all fun and games until someone loses an eye! LOL

LINKS:

Do YOU follow this Safety Code?

If you are in the Salisbury, NC area on February 19th, you just have to check out this Swap Meet!

Interesting title for a podcast, huh? It's the name of a children's song my kids like on the XM Kids channel on satellite radio, and I found it fit this week's show. This show starts the THIRD year of this podcast; this is our 100th installment (i.e., TRIPLE digits); this week we add a new THIRD person to our team. See what I mean? LOL If you've heard this song before, congratulations - you are now singing it in YOUR head.

Happy New Year! In this show we'll introduce my buddy Ron, we'll discuss the loot we got for CHRISTmas recently, we'll get another Ask The RCadvisor segment in, and we'll talk a bit about our resolutions for this year.

LINKS:

WMParkflyers

SlowBipe

XtremeFlyer January Photo Contest

A New RC Podcast!

DW Foamies Hempel Cub

4X6S Turnigy Charger

RiteWingRC

MultiPlex Fox (scroll down to find it)

Joogsie's FPV Fox

Hyperion Sniper (Amazon seems to have the best price)

Tim's FPV Design (sign up to see the pics!)