JR 11X 2.4 Hayden Daley 2010

The JR 11X 2.4 is an all new radio brought to Australia by O’reilly Model Products. This radio features an all new design, unlike any other radio previously offered by the JR radio company and has many interesting and unique features in the programming. The radio is an 11 channel system with all channels having equal performance. The 11X 2.4 has a backlit screen to allow for better visibility in poorly lit workshops, it has 3+1 trims, 3 are digital and the throttle trim is analogue allowing quick trim control on the motor trim. The gimbals are a dual ball bearing type providing smooth precise operation of the gimbals on this radio.

The 11X 2.4 utilizes fully integrated 2.4 Ghz technology and is compatible with all receivers using Spektrum/JR 2.4 Ghz, DSM 2 technology. This radio features sophisticated programming for three model types; aircraft, helicopters and sailplanes. The 11X 2.4s uses a rolling selector input for programming and the flight modes can be named allowing a more accurate description of the flight mode purpose when used. The radio also has an inbuilt thirty model memory that can be expanded infinitely with SD cards and the radio can also be software updated. The resolution of the radio is 2048 providing a nice quick link to the model.

In airplane mode the radio has three flight modes, all switches and levers are assignable, and triple rates are provided for the elevator, aileron and rudder that can be combined with the flight mode programming. This unit cover all possible tail type and can also be used for ailevator control as used in many modern jets. The aircraft mode covers all different options for mixing and provides for four different wing types, such as flapperon and delta type wings set ups. Balance mixing also allows precise mixing of channels when needed on larger aircraft running several aileron servos for example. The radio has three timers in aircraft mode; stopwatch, count down and an integrated timer.

In helicopter mode the radio has 6 swash plate types making it compatible with all types of CCPM control. The 11X 2.4 provides switch assignment for channels and functions, up to six different flight modes and full custom naming of the flight modes and a warning system for various switches can assigned protecting your helicopter from a wrongly placed switch. You can program the servos speed in this unit and it features triple rate allowing three different settings on all main helicopter controls and it also has software to prevent over traveling on CCPM servos. The helicopter programming has six free mixers and built in cyclic to throttle mixing for aileron, elevator and rudder, and there is also a governor mix. Three programmable timers can be triggered by the throttle or switches. The radio has a mix monitor that displays all mixers as used.

In sailplane mode this radio is optimized for multi function sailplane set ups offering a very high level of versatility and sophistication. The radio features switch assignment for channels and functions, up to five fully programmable flight modes with name assignment for the mode. It has dual control functions for elevator, rudder, flap and spoilers and also has V-tail mixing. The system also has a fully programmable motor function for electric assist sailplanes and has camber programming for each flight phase. A warning system allow for programming of alarms for different switch and stick positions and six programmable free mixers. There are three programmable timers that

can be triggered by switch or throttle position and the mix monitor displays all mixers.

This radio has an awesome amount of functions for the cost, the use of flight modes in this radio is probably the best feature on this unit, it allows complicated models to be set up properly for all phases of flight. You can adjust trim, rates and mixers by the flick of a switch and even name the phase on the radio when switched. This flight mode programming is a necessity for sailplanes as it allows for launch and other settings to be activated in flight. If you do not have flight modes on your radio, when you begin to use this setting you can have a pattern, 3D and sport setting on your engine power model adjustable by switch and you can change all parameters on the model to tune/ trim the model perfectly for the flight scenario. These flight modes are more useful in F3B/F3J type competition soaring allowing many adjustments to optimize the sailplane during flight, however they are also very useful for engine powered 3D type models. Another excellent feature is the number of useful timer options provided by the 11X 2.4, countdown, count up and stopwatch function are provided. The radio also offers an SD card setup allowing the saving, and expanding of model memories and also a software update capability.

The design of this radio is all new, and looks like no other transmitter designed previously and this all new design feels really comfortable in the hands. This radio is also bigger than the DSX9 and it has a larger screen, the programming is all new, and the radios screens are different. The logic and versatility is best described as fantastic, and will allow for all model types to have these adjustments at an affordable price. This radio is 2.4 Ghz only and if you wanted to change to the proven Spektrum/JR system of control then this radio will be useful for a long time and with an affordable cost this radio will be hard to beat. It must be stated that this radio is provided in Australia as 2.4 Ghz only, the radio is hardwired it does not have modules, you must use 2.4Ghz.

The 11X 2.4 is covered by a three year limited warranty providing peace of mind and trust that the radio is reliable and free from defects in workmanship or operation. The 11X 2.4 also has a control stick tension adjustment, you can adjust the sticks to suit your flying style and the dual bearings are very smooth in operation.

I pre-paid for my radio four months ago and have been waiting with much anxiety for the unit to arrive, and this long wait has been worth it! This radio is cheap for the amount of functions and channels, it has all the programming you will ever need for competitive soaring and looks modern and unique. Am I happy with my purchase? Definitely yes!

Hayden Daley 2010.

DG 600 Review Hayden Daley

The H-model, DG-600 Carbonfibre, is a replica scale sailplane of the full size DG-600 racing class sailplane, it is modelled in 1-3.5 scale, with a dual wingspan incorporating two types of plug in tips , 4.8 metres with the larger tips and 4.5 metres with the smaller tips. It is distributed in Australia by the Model Flight company, whose home is in Keswick, South Australia. The DG 600 is one of a number of H-Model scale products, whose line up of models also include a 5.3 metre Nimbus 4D, a smaller span 4.3 metre Nimbus 4D as well as others.. These models are built to exacting tolerances and are accurate, fully molded replicas of their full size counterparts. There are options available for these models which include scale canopy detail, water ballast and if you inquire when ordering, you may find that their are many other options available! The model being reviewed had the options of a scale canopy; and working water ballast. When the model arrived I was far from disappointed, I was actually dramatically impressed. The model was well packed for transport and arrived in perfect condition from the supplier. The model had all markings and decals already attached and they were excellent quality, well cut , cad designed, scale decals. “Backup” decals were also supplied The markings on my model were Swiss with the red band and white cross on the tail making the model really stand out from the crowd. All hardware supplied was of excellent quality and the instructions although sparse gave enough detail to prevent any building problems. The wings were very impressive with a scale wing joiner, which included a pin to pass through the two joiner boxes, exactly as in the full sized aircraft. The wings are full carbon fibre; and with the model utilizing the smaller tips can be flown very fast and is an excellent slope model; and when full of water has excellent energy retention. With the larger tips the model is a supurb aerotow – thermal model. The key to the two tip system is that while also being scale, makes the model an excellent all rounder, equally at home on the slope as well as aerotowing. The model that I built used 12 channels, however 3 can be omitted if not using the water ballast system and an aerotow release.

Construction Building this model does not require a great amount of work, so I will give a general overview of the models construction. I began with the fuselage and cut the appropriate number of plywood trays for radio gear, battery and filter leads. These trays were then epoxied into the fuselage. I used a combination of rubber bands and cable ties to attach the components. The aerotow servo was also attached to a tray and I chose to put the servo in front of the battery as I felt this gave the best acctuation and would help with the fit of the cockpit frame. A z-bend was used on the attachment to the aerotow release servo arm.. The receiver used was a JR/Graupner 12 channel FM unit. The switch used was JR gold switch, these switches provide reliable operation and a charge lead. To operate the switch I used a Dubro push-pull switch mount, and when attached to canopy frame looks like part of an aircraft control, difficult to pick as a switch. These dubro mounts make it difficult for foreign objects to turn off the switch in flight.

I have always used JR filter leads in my 12 channel scale models, as the JR filter lead also has a built in amplifier and excellent rejection of spurios signals. These amplifiers are a great help with the long leads and carbonfibre construction that are used in this model. The battery used is a 5 cell 3300mah nickel metal hydride pack which provides for a safe operation time of approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes. Some people may see this as sounding short, however with digital servos and 5 cells this is a safe assumption. The retract and rudder servo were mounted on the retract, and I used 90 degree aluminium that is available from most metal suppliers, with servo bays cut on a metal bandsaw. This 90 degree aluminium was then attached to either side of the retract with three small screws for each aluminium unit and cyano. The cyano adhesive is a backup, in case the screws shear under load which is doubtful; as the rudder and retract servo do not carry a great load. JR DS 811 Servos were then bolted in place for each control. The retract control used a short piece of wire. The retract and mounting system on this model are strong and have caused no problems over time, however keep in mind that if the retract mount fails you will lose rudder control when using this system. In regards to the rudder; I used a Dubro pull-pull kit commonly found in most hobby stores, attached to one piece printed circuit board horn epoxied into the molded rudder. A small amont of qcells mixed with the epoxy helps to hide the join as the horn passes through each side of the white rudder.

The elevator servo is in the tail of the aircraft and requires a long lead to reach the servo. The elevator is controlled by a piece of wire that runs up the rudder to the elevator; and is acutated by sliding the wire into a small piece of brass epoxied into the elevator itself. Some thought too mechanics must be used during this part of construction and must again recommend using filter leads on any control with a long lead. The elevator servo being mounted in the tail of the aircraft is supurb; with very little slop and accurate acctuation of the control surface. A fairing is incorporated into the lay up of the fuselage for the elevator servo, making accurate installation easy.

The wings have the following controls, spoilers, flap, aileron and water ballast taking the wing’s channel count to eight. Standard servos will fit into the wings, I used DS811 servos on all surfaces making the servo purchase cost comparatively low. The ailerons and flaps require printed circuit board horns installed with epoxy and these horns are supplied with the model. Servo hatch covers are all supplied and are of excellent quality. I attached the servo covers to the wings with small hex head screws, making them easily removed in case of any dramas at the field. Water ballast control was easily acquired with only a short run of wire to the water dumping valves.The ability to have or make long length leads is required in the construction of this model. Please contact Model Flight for these leads.

The model was completed by doing the center of gravity. The CG location was provided in the construction drawings and a small semi circle was cut from cardboard providing an accurate template. 2 millimetre plywood was cut and epoxied in place and the appropriate amount of lead shot was mixed with slow cure epoxy, poured into the front of the fuselage and left to dry. This completed construction.

Radio Setup

With twelve channels; and flight modes being required this really pushed the MC24 to its limits. I ran 2 flight phases on the throttle, and also mixed the flaps to the spoilers. This mix gives very little pitch movement when the controls are operated. I used full span aileron control, with 70 percent differential. The second phase actuates at one-third throttle control giving reverse differential on the flaps to still provide full span aileron while landing. The flaps were set to give 30 degrees downward movement at full acctuation. Rudder to Aileron mix was set at 40 percent and this worked well with no adverse yaw whilst in flight.

The water ballast controls were mixed together and are activated by switch with a servo slow function, this dumps the water in a more scale like fashion. The elevator was set up to give 40 degree movement up and down. These models have a small, scale elevator so more movement is better on this control. Rudder was set at maximum available movement, about 45 degrees, and a bigger horn was substituted on the servo to provide this movement. Retract, aerotow release and all other controls were set up as per usual. I then checked the batteries by cycling them 5 times and with no other problems this completed the radio programming, and the model was prepared for flight.

Flying

The model was flown by aerotow for the first fights and used the long length tips on these fights. This model has excellent control authority, and is easy to fly. Because of the broad root chord it is also easy to see at the higher than normal heights achieved by aerotow. The CG location was moved rearward 5 millimetres after approximately 8 flights and provided better elevator control. This is one of the best flying scale models I have ever flown. It is accurate, covers a lot of ground when hunting thermals and brings a smile with every flight. It is easy to land, and the flaps and spoilers really slow the model when landing. On the slope with the small tips and water ballast this model is magnificent. The wings on this model are strong, being carbon fibre and the model will easily achieve 150kph plus speeds without a problem. Aerobatics are fine with the small tips but I do not recommend aerobatics with the long length wing tips (pushing fate I guess!). An excellent, strong, supurb flying model.

Conclusion

Overall this model acheives the goal of being an all round scale model. If you have the chance to purchase one of these models they come highly recomended. All the H-Model products are of exceptionally quality. They are well made, strong molded models of good quality and excellent flying charecteristics, that only modern scale models of modern aircraft can provide. The DG600’s carbon fibre wings are strong and stiff and hard to bend even in extreme manouveres with the small tips. This is one of the favourite models in my collection. Overall , and in conclusion , it is an excellent scale reproduction of the racing class DG600 Carbonfibre.