Ho Ho Ho

A very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone!

Single Stick First Timer

I've been offering members of our club a chance to try out my single stick radio. Non of them had any sim preparation or practice, just a cold handover of the tx in flight.

This time I nabbed our club Prez and he did great! He has never flown ss before!

Catch Up!

Been a kinda crazee summer so I'm way behind on my TX and Stick building. Prepping for teaching at the moment but should be more active in a few weeks. Keep flying while the weather is good!

Keep well,
Andy

Dean McInnis Flies His Trex 550E 3G With New Kraft/MS2K SS

Dean posted a quick vid of him flying his new heli. Some great flying 'til the battery in the heli popped out but he will be back very soon with more videos! Great work Dean and it's awesome to see some single stick heli flying.

Cheers,
Andy

A Woody for the Summer!

I finally finished my second MS2K. I found some great walnut veneer and had to give this baby the California Surfin' Vibe. This one will be for helis as well planes so I needed a few switches for throttle hold, flight modes and that kinda stuff. Had to build a voltage regulator circuit to protect the Spektrum module from the über-massive lipo powah ;-) Hope to have a few vids in a week or so. Keep flyin'!

Cheers,
Andy

Good fun!

A couple more wires than the first one.

The counter-lipo voltage regulator.

Lucky 7 Update

I am still working on refining the spring system. At the moment the feel is not to my liking so I will keep working on the design until it rocks. Sorry 'bout the delay but I will not release it until it's up to my personal requirements. Promise to post updates soon.

I am currently amusing/distracting myself with my second personal MS2K and should have a few snaps in week.


Cheers & keep flying,

Andy

A Cool Radio Indeed!

Tom's new radio with one of my V1 gimbals. It has DX7 electronics in a custom case. Nice work Tom!!!

Super cool combo!

Just havin' some fun!

Lucky 7 Rough Install to Demonstrate Mechanics

This is a simple video to show how the gimbal will  mount. I have had more than one request to explain the install so here it is :-) This is just the gimbal with no springs, pots or wires.

Cheers,
Andy

The Test Parts Are In And This Ain't Your Daddy's Singlestick!!!

I got the test parts back from waterjet cutting. A big thanks to Burak at Flexyshop! The following photos show the basic parts. I will assembly the unit week and post some snaps of the complete stick. It will allow for a case as shallow as 1.5" and only requires two screws to mount. The bezel will come in a week or so once all throws are finalized.

Parts place in position. 

The reason it's called Luck Seven.

Elevator bock close up. 

What it does

Next Big Project

The main design work is done and first units will be started next week! Still some decisions to be made but things are very animated in the Rec Room. The name will make sense too!

Cheers & Stay Tuned,
Andy

Next Batter Up Is...

My next transmitter project will be a poor old Proline that was a wee bit neglected but shall be given the love it deserves. Here are some initial snaps of the before and initial take-apart.

Have fun,
Andy

Stick it to the man!

What!!! No Fluoride???

Nice packs!

The stick is still very, very nice.

 A little dirty and tired but all that will be fixed at Andy's spa.

Huge thanks to MAN!

I wanted to thank Model Airplane News for giving my gimbal project a four page spread in the March 2011 Canadian Edition of Model Airplane News. I was informed that it is also available for online subscribers. It is not in the US print version.

They are some of the nicest people I have ever dealt with and featuring a small project like mine gives great hope to myself and others looking to start building r/c equipment locally.

A sincere thank you,
Andy

Thank you Debra and John!

The Kraft Single Stick is Complete!

Got the Kraft SS finished and had a hoot testing it with my Blade mSR this weekend. Man it's fun to fly a micro heli with a single stick! Here are some snaps of the final transmitter and some build shots.

Keep Flyin'

Andy

Front with covers in place

Covers off

Easy access to computer interface

Spektrum DM9 module for compatibility

Custom levers

This one was set up mainly for heli use

Throttle hold and DR switches also handle option and preset 
via a momemtary position at the bottom of the switch

Spock! I think I got your brain back in!!!

Setting up the ppm/serial cable. Gotta talk to the world!

Centering pots

Lcd bumper and encoder mounts

Encoder mounts. These get CA glued to the case

Lcd bumper

E-trim resistance networks

Custom levers and pot mounts

Lever Prep & Installation

Got the levers prepped and installed. Will move on to final soldering tomorrow. Here are some snaps of the prep and final install. This might be a keeper for future transmitters!

Final install and thanks to George at Orca Waterjet

Brush finishing sides

Hole is intentionally undersized in waterjet and reamed to size

Tap routine ;-)

Drill 'em right!

Woohoo!!! The levers are here.

Just got the custom levers for the Kraft project. These are a hybrid of a Proline shape, Kraft size and Ace oversize thumb gripper.

Hybrid throttle/collective levers

Dry fit and progress of Mr. Kraft

The holidays are done and the new year's first born is due soon. Here are some photos of a dry fit and progress including successfully finding a replacement pot for a Kraft SS!!!

Cheers,
Andy

Dry fit of transmitter parts

Module hole

Some of the new bits

New bracket...gotta match just so!

Old ceramic pot base and new 10k donor.

Those old Krafts were completely adjustable. Very nice!!!