Al_M
Member
I am returning to LPR after a 40-year absence, flying RC aircraft. As such, I have a lot of unused RC equipment gathering dust. One observation upon my return is the apparent lack of technical advance in the area of launch control equipment. Please correct me if I am wrong.
I propose building a witeless launch control system, consisting of an RC spread spectrum transmitter, and a small box placed in close proximity to the launch pad. The box would contain the receiver, which is bound to the transmitter, a servo that actuates a normally-open microswitch, a 4.8 to 6 volt airborne-type battery pack to power the receiver and servo, and a 3-cell (11.4 volt) lipo pack to do the ignition chores. Short leads would exit the box with small alligator clips to attach to the igniter.
This would eliminate the long ignition wires laying on the ground, which I consider a trip hazard.
In the absence of a keyed safety, two or more channels could be employed, and the respective servos and microswitches could be wired in series.
I don’t know if this idea has been tried before, or if it would meet current NRA/TRA safety standards. So I am floating this idea as a trial baloon.
Another motivating factor is the ridiculous price charged for launch control devices from certain suppliers.
Comments, no flames please, are welcome.
I propose building a witeless launch control system, consisting of an RC spread spectrum transmitter, and a small box placed in close proximity to the launch pad. The box would contain the receiver, which is bound to the transmitter, a servo that actuates a normally-open microswitch, a 4.8 to 6 volt airborne-type battery pack to power the receiver and servo, and a 3-cell (11.4 volt) lipo pack to do the ignition chores. Short leads would exit the box with small alligator clips to attach to the igniter.
This would eliminate the long ignition wires laying on the ground, which I consider a trip hazard.
In the absence of a keyed safety, two or more channels could be employed, and the respective servos and microswitches could be wired in series.
I don’t know if this idea has been tried before, or if it would meet current NRA/TRA safety standards. So I am floating this idea as a trial baloon.
Another motivating factor is the ridiculous price charged for launch control devices from certain suppliers.
Comments, no flames please, are welcome.