Kristil Automation Repairs

I’ve posted some notes here. I’m always interested to hear from anyone with Kristil related problems or questions, or with parts to repair. I designed the original system back in the late 1990s and still have a lot of the information and can repair most components. Triac Module notes: Looking […]


RC Lost Model Tracker Update

I’ve been using the tracker in my FPV plane for a while now and it has been working as expected. A couple of times I’ve forgotten to replace the disarm jumper on landing which just means the unit starts transmitting on the drive home. Although it’s sealed inside a foam […]


FPV Helical Antenna Build

Based on the build guide from IB Crazy on RC Groups I built a Helical antenna for 5.8GHz FPV. Assembly All up it took almost 3 hours with a few breaks waiting for glue to dry. The reflector is double sided copper laminate (because I had a couple of scraps), […]


A 3 cell LiPo in a RC Transmitter 2

Can a 3 cell LiPo be used safely in a transmitter that was designed for a 8 cell NiCad or NiMh pack? It will operate fine from a 3 cell Lipo. The main advantages of the LiPo are larger capacity and very low self discharge. The biggest danger is leaving […]


Youtube vs Vimeo

This is my opinion…. Both suck but in different ways. Before you say use another browser or don’t block adverts, I will say forget it. If a site doesn’t work correctly with Firefox as well as other browsers then it shouldn’t expect any sympathy if it’s live on the interweb. […]


Random thought for the day

Don’t appear to be too smart. People will expect more from you. It’s amazing how many people are getting really good at this deception.


Fly Spray – non-toxic

We have screens on doors and windows so don’t often see a fly inside the house. Occasionally one will sneak in when a door is open. Years ago we used Raid branded fly spray but I noticed that it had lost its “knock down power”, so we switched to Mortein […]


LED lighting

Next we have LED lighting – after compact fluorescent – after halogen – after incandescent. Following are some of my thoughts on lighting. Any experts or professionals who disagree, feel free to comment, but you are wrong. Incandescent and Halogen Incandescent worked but was not very efficient in that a […]