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    Radio Control for Model Ships, Boats and Aircraft
    Radio Control for Model Ships, Boats and Aircraft
    Radio Control for Model Ships, Boats and Aircraft
    Ebook227 pages2 hours

    Radio Control for Model Ships, Boats and Aircraft

    By F. C. Judd

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    About this ebook

    This antiquarian book contains a detailed guide to building and using radio control systems for model ships, boats, and aircraft. Complete with step-by-step instructions and a wealth of helpful diagrams, this book is perfect for those with a keen interest in making their own remote control models. The chapters of this book include: “Basic Concepts Coders, Decoders and the Radio Link”, “Radio Components”, “Transmitters for Radio Control”, “Radio Control Receivers”, “Servo-Mechanisms for Radio Control”, “Aerial System for Radio Control”, “Layout in a Model”, etcetera. We are republishing this vintage book now in a high-quality, modern edition - complete with a specially commissioned new introduction on model building.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherRead Books Ltd.
    Release dateMar 6, 2013
    ISBN9781447489580
    Radio Control for Model Ships, Boats and Aircraft

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      Book preview

      Radio Control for Model Ships, Boats and Aircraft - F. C. Judd

      APPENDIX

      PREFACE

      THE idea of compiling a book such as this was suggested to me by the late W. H. C. Taylor, with whom many pleasant hours were spent both in the workshop and on the field. Unable now to write this with his co-operation, I can only dedicate the work to a brilliant young man so well-known to many as an ever-helpful and enthusiastic exponent of radio controlled models.

      The material contained in this handbook has been specially chosen, and it is my sincere wish that it will perhaps encourage and help those already enjoying Radio Control to achieve an even higher standard of efficiency and reliability, and arouse the interest of others who have, perhaps, felt that constructing and installing radio equipment in a model might prove a somewhat hazardous job. This book deals with, the theory of the main requirements of Radio Control, namely the Transmitter, Receiver, Servo-Mechanisms, Aerials and Frequency Checking, and at the same time covers the practical aspect and numerous details which are so often left to the imagination.

      I have included, where possible, pictorial diagrams of the assembly and wiring of one or two of the more simple types of control equipment. These are recommended to the newcomer who will find them profitable to commence with, advancing later to more complex radio circuits and servo-mechanisms as experience is gained. For the benefit of the advanced enthusiast, theoretical diagrams with notes on assembly and layout are given for more ambitious arrangements. To completely cover the almost unlimited field of Radio Control is beyond the scope of this publication, but I sincerely trust that the material presented will give the reader a full enough picture, so obviating the necessity of resorting to hours of research and investigation for ideas and information on controlling models by radio.

      My acknowledgments and thanks are due to the following for their help and co-operation with material and photographs, etc.:—

      Members of the West Essex Aeromodellers.

      Mr. Norman Ough (Member RCM Society).

      The Ever Ready Battery Co. (Great Britain), Ltd.

      Messrs. Flight Control, London, E.12.

      Electronic Developments, Ltd., Harrow, Middlesex.

      Electronics Components, Ltd., London, W.

      Hivac Valves, Ltd., Harrow, Middlesex.

      Dr. A. C. Gee, G2UK.

      Messrs. Brimar Valves; Standard Telephones and Cables, Ltd.; Footscray, Kent.

      Venner Accumulators, Ltd., New Malden, Surrey.

      The Telegraph Condenser Co., Ltd., Acton, W.3.

      The Dubilier Condenser Co., Ltd., Acton, W.3.

      H. J. Nichols, B.Sc. (H. J. Nichols, Ltd., Holloway, N.).

      Mr. Hundleby, Editor, The Aeromodeller.

      and the many Radio Control enthusiasts I have met and with whom numerous problems have been discussed, resulting often in some new idea, or at least material for further thought.

      F. C. JUDD (G2BCX),

      Development Engineer, Radar Navigation Aids. (Hon. Member,

      The West Essex Aeromodellers).

      CHAPTER 1

      BASIC CONCEPTS

      CODERS, DECODERS and the

      RADIO LINK

      THE term Radio Control is generally accepted to mean that some device or devices will perform various functions through the medium of radio waves, which in the case of models is the link between the operator and the model. A model and its functions could, of course, be controlled by electric current passed through wires linking a control panel to the model. This, however, would be impracticable if a model such as an aeroplane or ship is to be free to move to a distant point under its own power and under control.

      Radio waves provide a medium, not for passing the actual electric current required for control, but for conveying signals in the form of some preconceived code, these ultimately controlling the power required for operating the various functions necessary. The supply of electric current is carried in the model itself. There are other means of linking operator to model, but since they involve entirely different techniques, these will be mentioned only as a matter of interest.

      Including radio waves and wires they are listed as follows:—

      1. Radio Waves.

      5. Wires (direct conduction of electric current).

      All these, except wires, have the property of conveying signals through free space, but radio waves lend themselves as being the most suitable since they will pass through solids and can, in fact, be everywhere at the same time. Radio waves are easy to generate, will cover large areas without attenuation, whilst sound waves, light waves, and infra-red rays will cover only limited areas and distances, and have numerous other disadvantages that render them difficult to use for controlling models at distant points and in different directions.

      With a suitable medium for passing information to a model, at a distant point and/or continually moving, it remains now to devise a system for controlling the necessary commands. In any remote control system the ultimate objective is to control a flow of power in a regulated manner, from a primary source to some device (the model), so that desired operations can be performed. For a control system to become operative certain functions must take place within the system itself. These are performed by the major components illustrated in the block diagram of Fig. 1C1.

      The functions are as follows:—

      (A) The source originating the Command.

      (B) The Coding Device which converts the command into a signal suitable for transmission to the model.

      (C) The Transmission System which sends the coded command to the model.

      (D) The Receiver for accepting the transmission.

      (E) The De-Coder which interprets the commands and causes power to flow in:—

      (F) The Servo-Mechanism or other device which converts this power into light, heat or mechanical energy.

      (G) The source of Power for the serving mechanism.

      When all these are in operation, a control system is functioning. Let us now consider these components in greater detail. The Command source is the human operator. The commands will be limited only by the control system as a whole.

      The Coding Device can be very simple, such as a switch having a limited number of contacts; alternatively, it can be complex and may actually be a prototype of the control used in the craft itself; for example, a reproduction of the steering gear of a ship or the joystick of an aeroplane and so on, these in turn operating a series of switches or contacts connected to the transmitting system.

      FIG. 1C1. BLOCK DIAGRAM OF A CONTROL SYSTEM.

      Coding devices may be constructed so as to emulate the function of the control, e.g. a switch, with a lever attached. When the lever is moved to the left the model moves to the left, when the lever is moved to the right the model moves to the right. Such an arrangement may not always be possible, but sqould be used where permissible, so as to obviate having to remember a sequence of operations, as would be the case if only a simple on/off switch or press button were used as a coder.

      Any device which can make or break one or more circuits can be used as a control. This would include, in addition to the simple control or coding devices mentioned, such complicated units as the telephone dial, rotary switches, and multi-position switches which are lever operated. The flexibility and number of controls will depend, to some extent, on the transmitting and receiving equipment used as the link between the operator and the model.

      The Codes used for deciding which functions shall operate at the remote point will depend entirely on the arrangements of the final servo mechanisms, the transmitting and receiving systems, and the complexity of the control system as a whole. With very simple systems where only one operation is required, e.g. steering a boat, the code may consist mainly of either short impulses or sustained signals. For example: control of a rudder to left, right and neutral. First short impulse, rudder left, starting from neutral; second short impulse, rudder neutral; third short impulse, rudder right; fourth short impulse, rudder returns to neutral. The process then repeats itself. Other codes will suggest themselves as the various systems of control are explained. There are, of course, many other types of coding and codes, and those listed here are examples, some of which may be used for very advanced systems.

      Pulse Codes.

      These may be split up into the following groups.

      1. Pulse sequences (numerical).

      2. Pulse width variations (spacing constant).

      3. Pulse spacing variations (width constant).

      4. Pulse sequences (pulse present—pulse omitted).

      5. Pulse rate (variations).

      6. Pulse amplitudes.

      E. G. Viercant of the Victoria Flying Group, with his 9-ft. span i/c driven R/C experimental model plane.

      [Photograph by Bill Dean]

      Members of the Lowestoft Model Aeroclub preparing a large R/C glider for flight.

      [Photograph by J. Genlloud]

      Codes may be composed of combinations of the above.

      Numerical Pulse Sequences.

      (1 as from list above).

      For more advanced sequential systems, numerical pulse arrangements may be used with combinations of 2, 3 and 4 above. The example given previously is a numerical system; a very simple one, in fact, when used with a four-way steering servo, this latter being known generally as an escapement or actuator. With such a simple system a numerical code of only 1, 2, 3 or 4 impulses is required. The example given could be operated by means of a telephone dial using the first four holes, one, two, three and four. Instead of using groups of individual short pulses to give the sequence described, the dial could be used as follows (starting from neutral): dial 1, rudder left; dial 2, rudder right; dial 3, from neutral to right; and so on. Dial four would not be used, since it would only take the rudder right round to starting point again.

      At some point in the sequence an additional control could be introduced, such as engine reverse or stop/start. Here an alteration in the code is introduced, this being the pulse present, pulse absent sequence. The rudder is held in a near neutral position while engine control is applied. Practical details of such a system are described in the chapter dealing with servo-mechanisms.

      Reference to the diagram of Fig. 2C1 A, B, and C may perhaps clarify this combining of codes. A shows how a simple pulse-present, pulse-absent system is formed; B shows a rather more complex code consisting of numerical, pulse-present, and pulse-absent; while C shows the impulse sequence with extra long impulses added for engine control.

      Other forms of code for very complex systems will be mentioned only very briefly, since they are beyond the scope of this book. Some are used for guided missile work and specially developed commercial systems. Arrangements of pulse-present, pulse-absent, pulse amplitude, width, spacing, and frequency, etc., are used, and are shown in the block diagrams of Fig. 3C1.

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