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1969 Radio-Control Equipment Survey
Annual Edition 1969 American Aircraft Modeler
Annual 1969 American Aircraft Modeler
[Table of Contents]Aircraft modeling has undergone significant changes over the decades - both in technology and preferences. Magazines like American Aircraft Modeler, and American Modeler before that, were the best venues for capturing snapshots of the status quo of the day. Still, many things never change, so much of the old content is relevant to today's modeler.
Whether you are here to wax nostalgic, or are just interested in learning history, hopefully you will find what you are seeking. As time permits, I will be glad to scan articles for you. All copyrights (if any) are hereby acknowledged.
From the R/C perspective, as the song goes, "These are the good old day," not the days of the old equipment shown here.
1969 Radio-Control Equipment Survey
Comprehensive directory of all 1969 systems from single channel to full-house digital, with data on controls, circuits and cost.
Text by Ed Sweeney; commentary on digital by Fred M. Marks
Galaxy 5 channel
Our survey is designed with two purposes: 1) to be a buyer's guide of what's available in each category, showing what it operates, how it works, and what it costs; 2) to give enough technical information for a meaningful comparison between the features of each system, including data that provides possible interchangeability between one system and another.
Controlaire, One-channel Pulse Controlaire, Mule-Robot
No evaluation of control systems is made. All the equipment mentioned is top rate, excellent in design and performance, and of reasonable price. It would be impossible to fully review and evaluate each set. No systems are knowingly excluded.
The groups: The role of a sequential system is two-fold.
First, it started R/C. All we had when Walt Good, Chet Lanzo and Jim Walker
MRC-Futaba F-69 MRC-Futaba F-66
SINGLE·CHANNEL SEQUENTIAL SYSTEMS
ARISTOCRAFT DISTINCTIVE MINIATURES
314 Fifth Ave., New York, N. Y. 10001
Aristocraft single-channel sequential system is made on 27mhz, costs $69.95.
Transmitter has available, as option, Aristocraft Quadtrol pulse-counter stick-box giving sequential signals for rudder, elevator, and motor control. Pushbutton also usable on face of transmitter. 9v dry battery used. Power output about 200mw.
Airborne Package: Receiver Is relay superhet operating on independent 9v dry battery. Relay drives Aristocraft Ruddervator for rudder, elevator, and quick-blip motor speed change. Operates on 4½V dry batteries.
Special features are failsafe system designed for beginners; light, compact, easily mounted, dualfunction servo.
MODEL RECTIFIER CORPORATION
5300 21st Ave., Brooklyn, N. Y. 11204
MRC Futaba F66 is sequential rudder-only 27mhz system available at $39.95. Imported from Japan, sold and serviced by Model Rectifier Corp.
Transmitter is compact 100mw pushbutton-operated unit using 12v dry battery supply of 8 pen cells. Gives 6 hrs operation.
Airborne Package: Receiver is relayless superregen operating on same 3v pen cell supply with compound light-weight escapement for rudder control. Commands are: one pulse, right rudder; second pulse, left rudder. Rudder neutralizes between commands.
Special features are extreme light weight, suitable for Radio Assisted Free Flight models, and design for beginners.
MRC Futaba. FG8 is sequential rudder-and-motorcontrol system on 27mhz at $69.95. Imported from Japan, sold and serviced by Model Rectifier Corp.
Transmitter is 150mw unit using 12v battery supply from 8 pen cells. Case is metal and circuit is more potent version of F66 unit. Operated by pushbutton microswitch.
Airborne Package: Receiver is relay superregen using independent 9v dry battery. Relay drives motorized sequential servo and quick-blip escapement. Servo and escapement use 4.5v from 3 pen cells. Mechanical output rotary wheel, 3 lb thrust.
Special features are servo mounting tray, design for beginners. Deluxe transmitter and superhet receiver available.
MRC Futaba F69 is deluxe sequential rudder-and-motor-control system with motorized actuators on 27mhz selling for $114.95. Imported from Japan, sold and serviced by Model Rectifier Corp.
Transmitter has three-position control stick, left, neutral, and right. Sequential keying by electronic encoder. Pushbutton microswitch with electronic quick-blip for motor speed changes. Output is over 150mw on 12v dry battery of 8 pen cells. 2 hrs operation. Case is metal, small-size, convenient operation. Power output and battery condition indicated by meter on face of transmitter.
Airborne Package: Receiver is 9v dry-battery-operated superhet with relay driving compound-action motorized sequential actuator for rudder control, second servo for motor control. Power supply 9v for receiver, 4.5v of 3 pen cells for servos. Rotary output on both servos, 3 lb thrust.
Special features are servo mounting tray and plug terminal, design for beginners, reliable electronic sequential operations.
ROYAL ELECTRONICS CORP.
2101 So. Leyden, Denver, Colo. 80222
Royal Combo #1 is beginner's sequential system available on 27mhz at $97.30. Provides rudder-and-motorcontrol with motorized actuators. A deluxe system.
Transmitter is Echo with 200mw output, singlechannel tone. Uses 6v dry battery good for 20 hrs operation. Operated by pushbutton on face of transmitter.
Airborne Package: Receiver is Vangard 3v superhet with relay directly driving compound-action rudder servo and three-position motor control servo. Both servos have rotary output with 3 lb thrust. System uses 6 pen cell dry batteries. 5 hrs operation.
Special features are fully-wired system ready-to-use, inexpensive dry batteries, and powerful servo movement for large planes.
Royal Combo # 3 is less-expensive sequential rudderand-motor-control system for $87.30 on 27mhz. Suitable for beginners.
Transmitter is dry battery-powered Echo unit, 200mw output, pushbutton operated, using 6v battery. Gives 20 hrs operation.
Airborne Package: Receiver is Saturn relay superregen unit on 3v, driving two sequential servos for rudder, and three-position motor control. Second servo operated by third position of first servo or by quick-blip. System operates on 6 pen cell dry batteries. Servos have rotary output 3 lb thrust.
Special features are inexpensive dry batteries, powerful servo movement, fully wired, ready-to-use. Royal Combo #4 is even less expensive set with only rudder servo and 4-cell airborne battery supply for $75.85, other parts as in Combo #3.
WORLD ENGINES, INC.
8960 Rossash Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio 45236
Controlaire Mule-Robot is rudder-only sequential system with optional extra-cost motor control available on 27mhz for $49.98.
Transmitter is pushbutton-operated Mule with 250 mw output into center-loaded antenna operating on 9v dry battery for 25 hrs continuous.
Hallco 123 SS Logictrol-III 5
Airborne Package: Comprises battery pack of 3 pen cell dry batteries, plastic-cased receiver-servo unit, and motor control unit plugs into receiver-servo unit. Superregen receiver with transistor drive is used. Servos have rotary output with 1 lb thrust. Batteries give 3 hrs operation.
Special features are light weight, easy installation, inexpensive dry batteries, suitable for beginners, outof-sight range. Motor control costs additional $12.98, gives three engine-speed positions, and operates on third position of first servo.
0.8. Pixie Combo is sequential rudder-control system imported, sold and serviced by World Engines on 27mhz for $49.98. Uses motorized servos, optional extra-cost motor control servo available.
Transmitter has under 100mw output into centerloaded antenna. No license required for use. Operates on small 9v dry battery for one hour continuous. Operation by pushbutton microswitch. Convenient small size in plastic case.
Airborne Package: Superhet relay-receiver on 9v driving O.S. S103 rudder servo. Rotary output with 1 lb. thrust. Battery supply 4,5v of 3 pen cell batteries and 9v battery for receiver. Comes wired ready-touse. Motor control easily added with MI04 servo.
Special features are suitable for beginners, excellent range with low-power transmitter, optional motor control, light weight, small size. S 104M servo for $12.98 gives motor control.
Hallco 123 TA Hallco 103 GG O.S. Pixie Combo
PULSE PROPORTIONAL AND UP TO THREE-CHANNEL DIGITAL SYSTEMS
ACE R/C, INC.
203 West 19th St., Higginsville, Mo. 64037
ACE Commander RO Pulse is single-channel lightweight pulse system on 27mhz. Three versions: Baby Pack, $69.95; Standard Pack, $71.95; and Stamper Pack, $74.95. Differences are size/power of actuator.
Transmitter has 200mw power output to centerloaded antenna. Control by left-right stick. Battery 9v dry-type. Pulses are 5-50-95 left-neutral-right.
Airborne Package: Receiver is all silicone transistor superhet with double-ended output to drive dual-coil magnetic actuators. Operates on 2.4v up to 4v. Servo one of three sizes Adams magnetic actuators. Battery packs vary from 225mah to 500mah to 600mah depending on actuator size. One hour continuous use.
Special features are design for beginners and simplicity. Motor control may be added by high-rate detector.
ACE GG Pack :;;2 Is Galloping Ghost pulse system using Rand LR3 servo. Made on 27mhz for $109.95, also available in kit form.
Transmitter is ACE Jansson GG unit with 200mw output to center-loaded antenna. Bonner control stick gives rudder and elevator commands, pushbuttons give throttle control. Power is 9v dry battery, should last season.
Airborne Package: Receiver is Commander DE superhet relayless unit driving Dickerson GO switcher on which Rand LR3 servo, on-off switch and charging jack are mounted. Two 600mah NiCad batteries power system for over 1-hr operation. Charger not supplied.
Special features are usability of receiver and transmitter in dual-servo systems, light weight, simpl1city of system, and failsafe ability. Servo unit easy to mount.
AIRTROL OF ADRIAN
Box 392, Adrian. Mich. 49221
Airtrol R- III is rudder-only one-servo pulse system on 27mhz for light-weight, small planes. Sells for $69.50. Useful for beginners.
Transmitter puts out 250mw using 9v dry battery.
Keying is electronic. Spring-loaded lever controls rudder function.
Airborne Package: Receiver is relay superhet operating on own 3v pen cell batteries. Relay drives PAS-1 servo. Battery supply six pen cell dry batteries. Gives 3 hrs continuous operation.
Special features are light weight of system, and design for use by beginners. Inexpensive dry batteries throughout.
Airtrol GL-l00 is small Galloping Ghost system designed for beginners at $99.50. Available on 27mhz.
Transmitter is compact, has single-gimbaled stick
made by Airtrol, uses dry 9v battery, has 250mw output. Throttle command by full-on and full-off tone signals with two pushbuttons.
Airborne Package: Receiver is relay-superhet which drives Airtrol-made Galloping-Ghost servo. Battery supply is six pen cells, two for 3v receiver, four with center tap for the servo.
Special features are available lightweight rechargeable NiCad battery pack, minimum interaction of controls with this Galloping Ghost servo, and overall light weight.
BONITRON. INC.
633 Thompson Lane, Nashville, Tenn. 37204
Bonitron Super Sport 1s highly developed single-channel pulse transmitter and receiver on 27mhz selling for $89.50. For use with Rand GG Pack or Dual Pack.
Transmitter has 250mw output using 9v dry battery.
Switch inside provides several operation modes; on-off for sequential servo systems, Galloping Ghost pulse, and high-rate dual-servo pulse systems. Widths, and positions of pulses, fully adjustable.
Airborne Package: Receiver is double-tuned-frontend superhet designed for high pulse rates and excellent noise rejection as in pulse-servo operation. Output is relayless for driving decoder units as in Rand packs, operates directly from their batteries at 3.6-4.0v.
Special features are versatile usage, and electronic centering, range controls. Receiver highly selective.
CANADIAN RADIO CONTROL ELECTRONICS
38 Gardsman Rd., Thornhill, Ontario, Can.
CRC Digital 3 is 3-function control system sold with two servos, receiver, transmitter, airborne battery pack and charger. Dry battery used in transmitter. Third servo available separately. System mainly for beginners, glider, boat, and car enthusiasts needing only two functions. Price $280 in Canada, somewhat less in US. 27mhz only.
Transmitter has full three channels available on the two-axis Orbit control stick and separate throttle lever. Power output about 600mw with optional 9.6v NiCad battery pack (extra cost item). Pulse at neutral 1.9ms with variation of .5ms. Frame rate 22ms.
Controlaire M.A.N. 2-3-4 Orbit 6-12 IC (1968)
Airborne Package: Receiver is all-FET-transistor superhet, same as in CRC 4-6 system but using only half of the integrated-circuit decoder. Three complete functions available. Operates CRC amplified Orbit PS3 servos having dual-linear and rotary outputs with 4½ lb thrust. Center tapped 4.8v battery pack gives 4 hrs operation.
Special features are low parts-count in receiver, charger for airborne battery pack in transmitter, servo-mounting bracket.
CANNON ELECTRONICS, INC.
13400-26 saticov St., North Hollywood, Calif. 91605
Cannon 509 is single-channel combo of transmitter and receiver only. Costs $28.50 and $32.50. Receiver also made in kit form at $24.50. Units on 27mhz only.
Transmitter is pushbutton-operated but easily adapted to pulse operation with extra-cost Cannon Pulsi-Tran unit. Uses 9v dry battery, operates one full season, has 500mw output.
Airborne Package: Just superhet receiver. Available in either of three configurations: 1) relay output, 2) relayless for driving Rand Packs, or magnetic actuators, 3) with transistorized drive for Galloping Ghost servos. Receiver operating voltage adjustable for 3 to 4.8v. Has single-tuned front-end and Miller Strip for IF tuning, amplification, and AGC.
Special features are use of receiver to drive decoder systems such as Rand Paks with Galloping Ghost or high-rate transmitters.
Cannon C526-M3 is a 3-function system for $179'.95' as kit, or built for $225. Produced on 27mhz and 50mhz.
Transmitter comes with Kraft control sticks, less those components for 5-channel operation. Has 800mw output on 9.6v NiCad battery supply of 500mah capacity giving 4 hrs operation. Neutral pulse is 1.5ms, frame rate 90cps.
Airborne Package: System uses three channels of the M5 system. Has double-deck construction with double-tuned front end. Three KPS-9 servos come with system, but KPS-10 servos can be had at extra cost, or built from kits for $21.50 each. 4.8v NiCad pack powers unit with 4 hrs operation.
Special features are primarily the same as for the M5 system, and expandability of M3 to have all five functions
Royal Combo #1 Royal Combo #4
CITIZEN-SHIP RADIO CORPORATION
810 E. 64th St., Indianapolis, Ind. 46220
NPT & SSH-P are combination transmitter and receiver, available without servos or batteries, on 27mhz band at $69.95 and $34.95 respectively, Matched sets for Galloping Ghost and dual-servo pulse systems.
Transmitter is a single-stick unit with buttons for trimmable throttle function. Switch inside changes pulse rate for either Galloping Ghost or dual-servo pulse systems. Has 300mw output, uses 9v dry battery. Provides 12 hrs operation.
Airborne Package: Receiver is a single-ended output superhet operating on 2.4 to 4.8v. Is set up for 3.6v for use with the Rand GG Pak or the Rand Dual Pak, obtained separately.
Special features are switchable rate and built-in charger for Rand system's NiCad battery packs.
DP-1 is single-servo rudder-only digital-feedback system made on 27mhz band only. Costs $99.95.
Transmitter is small unit with single control lever for rudder control. puts out 125mw using 9v dry battery.
Airborne Package: Receiver is superhet which directly drives APC-2 servo mounted on printed-circuit board with on-off switch and few other electronic parts. Feedback servo has 4 lb thrust from one linear output arm. Battery supply is 4.8v NiCad or 4 pen cell dry batteries. NiCads are light weight 250mah.
Special features are simplicity .and reliability as a refined single-function system. Useful in gliders, boats, and cars where one powerful control is needed.
C-S DP2 is two-function digital set for beginners, glider flying, boats, or cars, on 27mhz. Costs $199.95.
Transmitter has two single-action sticks, 350mw output, using Single 9v dry battery. Gives about 12 hrs operation. pulse neutral 1.5ms at frame rate of 60 cps.
Airborne Package: Uses small double-tuned frontend superhet operating two DMS plastic-case C-S servos. These have 4½ lbs thrust and a full 5/8" movement. 4.8v NiCad pack supplies power for 3½ hrs continuous.
Special features are light weight and compact size for small-engine planes or gliders or small boats, but with powerful servos. Airborne weight is 9 oz.
C-S DP3 is three-function digital system on 27 and 72mhz at $274.95 and $299'.95 respectively. Beginner's unit particularly useful in small almost-full-house-size planes.
Transmitter operates on inexpensive 9v dry battery giving about 12 hrs operation. Power output is 350mw average. Control sticks are rudder-elevator C-S unit and throttle level. Pulse at neutral is 1.5ms. Frame rate is 60 cpscps.
Airborne Package: Units are three DMS servos, dual-linear and one rotary output, giving 4½ lb thrust; sharp-tuning superhet receiver, and 4.8v NiCad battery pack, good for 3 hrs continuous operation.
Special features are 14 oz installed airborne system, dry battery in transmitter, fast-action servos using integrated circuitry for more reliability.
EK PRODUCTS, INC.
3233 W. Euless Blvd., Hurst, Texas 76053
Did-Ghost DG-l by Logictrol is Galloping Ghost system using single Rand LR-3 servo. Dual-servo system DG-2 offers independent rudder and elevator controls. DG-1 is $135, DG-2 $180. Throttle control by goaround function. On 27mhz only.
Transmitter is 400mw output unit using 9v dry battery. Stick assembly open type with electronic trims and pushbuttons for engine speed changes. DG-1 neutral pulse for elevator control 7cps, DG-2 elevator neutral 12.5cps. Pulse widths 35-65 extremes.
Airborne Package: Receiver is small superhet in tough plastic box housing servo-plug block: System operates on 3.6v NiCad pack. Dual-servo system retains elevator command during engine speed changes. Rand actuators used in both systems.
Special features are light-weight airborne system suitable for beginners; DG-1 can be made into DG-2 at factory at extra cost for conversion. Digital type signals, not single-channel, are used.
Logictrol XL-3 is a three-function system made on 27mhz only. A digital system for beginners at $250.
Transmitter uses EK open stick assembly with electronic trim, puts out 400mw, uses 9v dry battery. NiCad transmitter battery pack is extra-cost option which gives 2% hrs continuous operation. Throttle command is via two pushbuttons. Neutral pulse is 1.5ms. Frame rate variable.
Continued on Page 2
Posted 5/14/2011
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