[NSRCA-discussion] Futaba and pattern

[Ron Van Putte]

I was talking with a local R/C electronic techie a couple of days  
ago.  He built one of the Micropro systems years ago and he still  
uses it.  Apparently there's a "support group" for these radios.   
There are repair and service items and even new "stuff" is available  
from a few sources via a url that I could find out, but didn't at the  
time.

Ron

On Dec 22, 2007, at 8:16 AM, John Ferrell wrote:

> 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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