Model Forum / Radio Controlled / Water Models / September 2005

A remote fuel gauge would be a very handy thing! a proper video transmission
system designed just for the hobby, long range, high quality vibration free
pictures, now that would get me interested 8o)

Best of luck

Frequency scanner, with the ability to go from 35 to 27 to 40 etc etc
and see each crystal separately and it's interaction with a datum so you
can see if, for instance, the crystal is shifted from where it should be
and possibly interfering with anyone else's signal.  Should also give a
good indication of the transmitter strength etc.

A "dead stick" sounder that emits a loud alarm as soon as the engine cuts
(possibly through a drop in pressure in the exhaust to fuel tank pipe).

This would help to gain a few extra seconds before the plane starts to fall.

A low powered lost model alarm.

When the transmitter is switched off, an extremely loud alarm emits a noise.
I know that these exist already, but I propose a modification to make the
alarm sound just a short beep once every thirty seconds to save battery life.
This would help if the aircraft has crashed in a forest and its going to take
a long time to find it. Additional beeps could be emitted by a switch on the
controller perhaps.

Signal Encryption / Decryption so that only your own transmitter can control
your plane.

Hop to an unused channel, if interference is detected or someone switches on a
controller on the same frequency as one in use.

Two way communications between aircraft and controller. (For an
instrument landing system).

Lost aircraft locator (similar to wildlife trackers currently available, but
on a cheaper budget). A hand held device can be swung around and makes a noise
when pointed in the direction of the aircraft.

...

A decent variometer/rate of clime indication
An Air Speed Indicator (and slip too?)
A thermal hunter
A GPS coordinate transmitter (preferably with orientation data too)
An anti-stall device(linked to the ASI?)
User-configurable (on-board) flight computer (all above sensors plus
servo drivers for semi-autonomous and autonomous flight etc.)

Just a few ideas.  Try the simplest first!

Heres a serious one for ya.

With the advent of good electric flight we are seeing more and more bigger
and bigger models flying on sparks. Nowt wrong wi that of course, until you
get a nice 70 inch Spitfire or Mustang riding on electrons - it just doesnt
SOUND right.

Now, the electric tank boys have sound generators that are really GOOD. How
about a sound generator that emulates a Merlin engine? Or even one that does
a jet? A flat four lycoming? FOUR Merlins for a leccy Lanc?etc etc

I dont really want an ASI (but the big guys might), and I certainly dont
want telemetry, anti stall, self-centering positronic monoflobulation etc
etc. But a loud sound generator...yes please!  I would buy one of those.

David

Computer radios can cost a bloody fortune. But the major difference
between a £1000 computer radio and a £40 basic one is the computer
(the RF stuff will be better too - but is it really hundreds of pounds
worth?). Futaba seem to get away with charging £1000 for what amounts
to a £40 radio and a £100 PDA in the same box with a bit of custom
software. How about a transmitter with the programming aspects
offloaded to a PDA or laptop? You could get away with modest hardware
and a modest CPU (to do the mixing - a $2 uC would do) and a minimal
display or even no display at all, yet have superior programmability
compared to even the most expensive transmitters out there.

Tim

Rockets.