[NSRCA-discussion] Futaba and pattern

[John Ferrell]

FWIW, I am with you all the way on this issue. 

It is unfortunate that the Micropro was killed in its infancy. The auto trim feature seems like a no brainer to me.
The rubber duck antenna was handy as well. 

If the legal aspects would permit it I believe it might be practical to build a MicroPro type radio with Futaba and/or JR RF modules.

Another neat feature it had was that you only needed to transmit the channels you were using. I cannot remember if that permitted a higher update rate for the servos.

John Ferrell    W8CCW
"Life is easier if you learn to plow 
       around the stumps"
http://DixieNC.US

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Bob Richards 
  To: NSRCA Mailing List 
  Sent: Friday, December 21, 2007 5:56 PM
  Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] Futaba and pattern


  Ok, my 2CW.

  I really like the idea of the USB connector. Hmmm, not a new idea, really, I could do that with my Ace Micropro back in 1992. Could save all the airplane programs onto computer disk via a serial port. Could pull up the program information on the computer and edit the values (although it was not a GUI interface, it was still nice).

  Another thing would be program independent buddy box capability. In other words, the slave transmitter need only to send the stick positions to the master radio. That information would then be applied to the program in the master radio. No need to make sure the slave and master radios are operating with the same program. Hmmm, again, not really a new idea, I could do that with the Micropro radio back in 1992. :-)

  Autotrim. Lets say you have just taken off with an airplane that is out of trim. Instead of fumbling around for multiple trim levers (or buttons) you just press one button and keep flying the plane straight and level. The autotrim function will apply trim changes automatically to any of the the three flight channels so that the sticks slowly move back to neutral. Again, the Micropro had that feature.

  I liked a lot of the features of the old Micropro radio, my big complaint was that it was only 256 resolution. That alone was reason not to use it in pattern.

  As for the 2.4 ghz using the internal antenna connection, that is not likely to happen on the old radios. I like the fact that I can swap the module with a 72 mhz module and not have to fumble with mounting an antenna with an external cable.

  I have flown Futaba for over 20 years, and have had good service. However, I wish there was better support/marketing in my area of the country. We had a huge fly-in last year (Fly-for-Tots) with over 200 registered pilots. Horizon/JR sent lots of stuff, including sponsered pilots to fly demos. Futaba did send a couple of flags and items for the raffle, but it was a hugh disparity with what Horizon/JR did. I am in a distinct minority in my club since most of the guys fly JR, so I caught a lot of crap as a result.

  Just my 2CW.

  Bob R.


  Derek Koopowitz <derekkoopowitz at gmail.com> wrote:
    Futaba is looking for some new product ideas for upcoming equipment and they are interested in seeing what ideas we all have for the pattern arena that could be new and inventive.  This could be anything from updating current equipment to new product development. 
    If you could put some thoughts together in an email to me, I'll make sure that they're sent to Futaba USA's attention.   I'll need to have this back no later than the end of the year!

    Thanks!
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