Wednesday, August 27, 2008

What types of batteries do radio control vehicles use?

There are a few common types of radio control batteries:


Zinc-carbon This is the technology of inexpensive dry cell, non-rechargeable batteries such as AA, AAA, C, and D. Zinc and carbon serve as the electrodes while an acidic paste serves as the electrolyte.


Alkaline This is the technology of the more expensive dry cell, non-rechargeable batteries. Duracell and Energizer are two of the most popular manufacturers of alkaline batteries. These batteries have zinc and manganese-oxide as their electrodes and an alkaline compound as the electrolyte.


NiCd Nickel Cadmium radio control batteries are rechargeable with nickel-hydroxide and cadmium electrodes and potassium hydroxide as the electrolyte.


NiMH Nickel-metal hydride batteries are also rechargeable. They have a nickel hydrogen and a hydrogen absorbing alloy as the electrodes and potassium-hydroxide as the electrolyte.


Lithium polymer These have lithium nickel cobalt oxide-based and carbon based electrodes with a polymer biphasic electrolyte. (Say that ten times quickly!)

keep the running temperature of the engine

The lubrication in the fuel can also help keep the running temperature of the engine desirably low. But you cant rely on too much of a good thing.


While more oil may keep temperatures even lower, it also lowers the ratio of nitromethane in the fuel, which is responsible for the actual amount of power transferred to the vehicle. But putting in too little oil to make room for more of the nitro can result in overheated, worn down engines in which extra power wont do much good.


The nitromethane content of a fuel is what it is generally rated on. This is the fuel that results in power in the vehicle.


Typical radio control car gas has a nitro content of about 10% - 20%, but many enthusiasts experiment with their own levels to achieve the mixture of power results and long engine life they are looking for. Larger radio control cars may benefit from higher nitromethane ratios, but remember the warning about too much of a good thing.

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Handling Safety Information

Charging Safety Tips:


Be absolutely sure that the Lithium battery charger settings are correct for the battery pack being charged if yours is not an automatic charger. Care should be taken to charge on a fireproof surface, such as brick. Do not charge batteries near flammable items or liquids Keep a dry fire extinguisher nearby - or a large bucket of dry sand, which is a cheap and effective extinguisher. Do not charge inside an automobile, especially while driving A lithium ion battery should NEVER be left unattended while charging


Handling Precautions:


New cells may have a high initial charge, and care must always be taken to insure that loose cells are not short circuited. Do not put the loose cells in a pocket, bag, or drawer where they could short-circuit against other items, or the battery tabs could be pressed against each other. Do not place the loose cells on any conductive surface, such as a metal-topped table. Keep loose lithium ion battery cells and battery packs WELL out of reach of children! Take care that the cells are not punctured, especially by metallic objects like hobby knives. If the electrolyte in the cells should get on your skin, thoroughly wash with soap and water. If in the eyes, rinse thoroughly with cool water. Immediately seek medical attention. Although environmentally friendly, a lithium ion battery must be FULLY discharged before disposal. Buy a battery discharger to accomplish this and to avoid the possibility of a short-induced fire after disposal.


I hope you found this information helpful and you have my permission to forward it to anyone on your mailing list who you think could benefit!



Build a remote control helicopter

1.First, you need to decide on which model helicopter you are interested in. Once you have it built youll be ready to start flying no matter which one you decide to build, and for the most part the skill level is the same, so why not pick a chopper that appeals to you?


2.The best way to decide which RC helicopter to buy is to have a look at the different choppers that are available. Read reviews on the different models and types to discover which fly the best and which fly the worst, find out what others like or dislike about certain models. After that, youll be able to make an informed decision and you wont be wondering if you made the right choice.


3.Purchasing your remote control helicopter is just the beginning. Then you will also need to purchase the various parts that you will need like an engine to make it run, the gyro that will control the rotor, the servos and radio controls which is how you will talk to your RC helicopter. The servo is installed in the helicopter and it is where the signals from the remotes are transmitted to.


4.Next, you need to be sure that you have all the tools that you will need to build your helicopter. Nut drivers, ball drivers, screw drivers, pliers, wrenches, fuel filters, glow plugs, pitch gauge, all kinds of nuts and bolts. No matter which kit you buy there always seems to be a screw or two missing, or you loose one while doing the assembly, oh yes, and dont forget those repairs youll have to make after a crash. And you will crash everybody does at first. In fact, its half the fun of learning to fly.


After youve built your remotecontrol helicopter, its almost time to take it for a test flight. Remember, anything that turns must be balanced, your end points need to be equal, and all the bolts need to be tight. If you have a friend thats an experienced RC helicopter pilot, ask them to look over your project to make sure youve got it all right.

Hobby RC Cars Information Guide


Hobby RC cars or radio control cars, are one of the hottest sports in America with kids and adults alike! There are two power sources to choose from - gas and electric and in this article I'm going to discuss only electric cars. If you're mainly interested in a gas or nitro hobby rc car, I've got another page that completely covers that topic and you can read it if you Click Here Now.


The hugely popular electric radio control cars are the most popular choice of first-timers, and for several good reasons:


1) Simple construction and operation makes them the easiest type of hobby rc cars


2) They're less expensive than similar gas powered models


3) They don't make much noise which allow you to drive electric radio control cars indoors


4) And because they aren't messy like gas powered versions, they really appeal to many people

Helpful RC Transmitter Information

A good quality RC transmitter is a radio controller's dream come true. Whether it's just a simple three channel analog unit or a sophisticated 10 channel computerized radio, we want it to carry out our commands reliably.


It is actually an extension of our hands that reaches out invisibly to direct the model wherever we want it to go.


I don't know if it's ever happened to you, but to watch in suspense as the car, boat or airplane that we've invested time and money in fails to respond and inevitably crashes is just so disheartening.


One of the very first radio control planes I bought many years ago came with it's own RC transmitter, just a 2 channel unit. The plane itself was all plastic and I had a tough time getting it to fly because it was so heavy but eventually it took to the air. But not for long because the transmitter range was so short that within minutes my little toy plane disappeared into the blue yonder!


After that experience, I made sure that I had a "real" radio with a well known brand name like Airtronics, Futaba, Hitec or JR. In fact, my current RC transmitter is a JR 652 computer radio and I love it not just for the extra bells and whistles but because of it's quality workmanship...I've never lost anymore models due to a cheap radio!!


So if you're just starting out in model airplanes, I heartily recommend the high quality 4 channel JR radios because they will do 90% of what you need without complaint such as rudder, elevator, ailerons and throttle.

How to build a remote control helicopter

Youve jumped into the remote control helicopter hobby and you are about to find yourself with more fun than one person can handle, so why not drag along a friend? Lets start at the beginning with how to build an RC helicopter so you can get busy having some of that fun.


First, you need to decide on which model helicopter you are interested in. Once you have it built youll be ready to start flying no matter which one you decide to build, and for the most part the skill level is the same, so why not pick a chopper that appeals to you?


Building your remote control helicopter is a daunting task but worth every minute and with the right set of tools and the instructions [yes you do have to read them] youll be up for the challenge and you can be proud of the end result.


The best way to decide which RC helicopter to buy is to have a look at the different choppers that are available. Read reviews on the different models and types to discover which fly the best and which fly the worst, find out what others like or dislike about certain models. After that, youll be able to make an informed decision and you wont be wondering if you made the right choice.


Purchasing your remote control helicopter is just the beginning. Then you will also need to purchase the various parts that you will need like an engine to make it run, the gyro that will control the rotor, the servos and radio controls which is how you will talk to your RC helicopter. The servo is installed in the helicopter and it is where the signals from the remotes are transmitted to.


Next, you need to be sure that you have all the tools that you will need to build your helicopter. Nut drivers, ball drivers, screw drivers, pliers, wrenches, fuel filters, glow plugs, pitch gauge, all kinds of nuts and bolts. No matter which kit you buy there always seems to be a screw or two missing, or you loose one while doing the assembly, oh yes, and dont forget those repairs youll have to make after a crash. And you will crash everybody does at first. In fact, its half the fun of learning to fly.


After youve built your remote control helicopter, its almost time to take it for a test flight. Remember, anything that turns must be balanced, your end points need to be equal, and all the bolts need to be tight. If you have a friend thats an experienced RC helicopter pilot, ask them to look over your project to make sure youve got it all right.


And now its time for lift off the moment youve been waiting for has arrived. What an exhilarating feeling watching the remote control helicopter soar high above. Dont worry this is only the beginning of a whole lot of fun in the RC world.



Fly an electric radio control airplane

One electric radio control airplane is the E-Flite Super Airliner in which two fan units and motors are included. This particular model flies around at 2/3 throttle and the speed grows at a phenomenal rate when you increase the throttle.


It is quite large with a 55" wingspan and weighing in at 3.25 pounds (1.5 KG) With exceptional slow speed handling combined with high speed passes, it looks and sounds just like the real thing! Definitely not for beginners but once you've had some aileron experience you should be ready for it. For convenience, the wings are detachable for transport.


Another electric radio control airplane is the P-51 Mustang RTF by Parkzone. Ready to fly when you open the box, it too has removable wings for transportation and storage purposes. The wings are semi-symmetrical as is the elevator which allows it to fly equally well inverted. Take off from the ground or a hand launch is very simple by means of an easy grip area under the wing.


Through the Telemaster Electro ARF plane, plenty of modelers have tasted their initial triumphant flying experience. With this unit, the motor mount is installed, the access hatch for the battery is built and the magnetic latch pre-installed. The excellent photo-illustrated instructions show step-by-step how the model is assembled, including the addition of optional flaps.



RC snowmobile for winter fun!

An RC snowmobile can be a great investment for some serious winter fun! If you live in an area that gets lots of snow during the winter months, you know just how boring you can be cooped up in the house with little to do, just itching for some outside entertainment.


If you are already an RC user, then you know just how much fun remote controls are. Trouble is, almost all RC cars and trucks are simply not designed built for winter. The slush and water create a problem for the servos and within minutes you no longer have control. Add to that the problem of not being able to gain any traction because of the tires and using your summer RC vehicles becomes impossible.


But when you invest in an RC snowmobile all of those problems become a thing of the past, because these vehicles are designed for winter. So you know what that means? It means you are going to have hours of fun out in the snow. What a great way to help speed winter along.


There are a variety of different electric remote control snowmobiles that are on the market, many scaled from the real thing. Take for example the Ski-Doo Fusion 900, which is the mini model, of the real thing. Many of these electric models are very realistic looking with attention to detail.


They come with a 9.6V battery pack or 7.2V battery pack. Although the electric models are a lot of fun, performance is minimal and so is the excitement level. They are an excellent starter RC snowmobile but if you really want a rush youll want to invest in a nitro powered version.


If you invest in a nitro model get ready to enjoy an aggressively designed snowmobile thats ready to race through the backcountry, or race against your friends. Because of the speed associated with the nitro units its not the best starter option.


You should spend some time at slower speeds learning how your snowmobile responds to the remote controls. That way youll save yourself a lot of downtime doing repairs. Actually if you crack up at high speeds you could destroy your snowmobile and your winter fun.


The nitro remote control snowmobile are more geared towards adult modeler or a very mature teen modeler. The sound effects of the nitro make it very real, and there is no question that their high performance makes them a great choice for that higher level of excitement.


So you see, winter doesnt have to be boring and you dont have to spend your days wishing spring would arrive. Instead, grab your boots and mittens, get off the coach, and get outside to enjoy your RC snowmobile, packed with hours of entertainment and get ready for an adrenalin rush! Youll forget all about those winter blues.



Nitro RC cars

Radio Control System In hobby quality nitro RC cars the radio control system is fully proportional. This means that the speed of the car can be finely controlled. You can go at 0% to 100% full speed, and any speed in between, just like a real car. The same goes for steering the car. You can turn left gently, or turn left aggressively. You can turn right gently, or turn right aggressively.


Radio control parts that are installed inside a nitro RC car:


1. Receiver


2. Fail safe


3. Servo for carburetor and brakes


4. Servo for steering


5. Receiver batteries


6. On/off switch Transmitter - The transmitter is what you hold in your hand.


Your left hand is usually used to squeeze the trigger, which controls the speed of the car. The more you squeeze, the faster the car will go. If you want to stop or brake, push the trigger towards the opposite direction. Your right hand controls the steering wheel on the transmitter. This controls the direction of the car, whether to turn left, right, or just go straight. The stick type used two sticks. The left stick is used to control the speed of the car, and the right stick is used to steer the car.


The pistol type uses a trigger and a steering wheel. The trigger is used to control the speed of the car, the wheel to steer the nitro RC cars. The transmitter needs a 12-volt supply to run, usually via eight AA sized batteries. Receiver - The receiver is a small rectangular device mounted on the nitro RC car. It has a wire (usually 19) that acts as an antenna to receive signals from the transmitter. Gas RC cars need a 2-channel radio control system. 2-channel means that there are 2 servos connected to the receiver. The receiver needs a 6-volt supply to run, usually via four AA sized batteries.


Tips: Never, ever, cut the antenna wire. I know the wire is long but still, resist the temptation to cut it. To avoid radio glitches, keep the receiver and antenna as far away as possible from the 2-stroke engine. Servos - The servos are small mechanical motors with decide the speed and direction the car will travel. Nitro RC cars have two servos, one connected to the carburetor, another to the steering mechanism. The servo connected to the carburetor controls the speed of the car. It also controls the braking mechanism. The second servo is connected to the steering mechanism, controlling the direction of the cars front wheels. Frequency Crystals - The transmitter sends signals to the receiver on a specific frequency. Removable frequency crystals, located at both the transmitter and receiver, determine this frequency.

Cheap RC Plane


If it's your first model, then a cheap RC plane may be your best bet for several good reasons:


1) Don't spend a lot of money at first, just in case it turns out that you don't like the sport after all.


2) Less pressure and stress while learning to assemble it and especially when flying your RC model plane for the first time.


3) Simpler transmitter controls that take much less time to master and allow you to concentrate on just having fun in a hurry. In fact, if you decide to go with a really all you need to do is plug in the batteries and squeeze the trigger...what could be simpler?


Now, while I've just mentioned some valid points for not spending much money on your first plane, here's a strong reason to lean more towards the middle price range:


If you have any interest in the sport after the first hour or so and continue flying, it won't be long at all before you're bored with that cheap RC plane due to it's very limited flight controls. Then you'll need to purchase another model to satisfy your desire to go faster and farther and with more control.


So, in my humble opinion based upon my own experiences, it's actually best to spend as much as you can possibly afford on RC model planes that cost more but do more too. And in the long run, you'll definitely be more satisfied with your purchase!



The World of Radio Control Nitro Cars

While electric models may be less expensive and easier to operate, "gas" powered radio control nitro cars and trucks have the definite edge when it comes to realism and performance. These RC cars are NOT powered by gasoline-they use a special fuel, commonly referred to as "glow fuel" or "nitro." But they do capture the sights and sounds of real, full-size racing like no electric can. The nitro RC car engines roar powerfully...exhaust vapors trail your machine...and the speeds are unbelievable (up to 80 mph!)


There is a huge variety to choose from: trucks, buggies, sedans, stock cars and more. Many come in "sport" or "competition" versions. First-timers might prefer the sport models gas powered rc cars for their lower cost, though if you're set on racing your radio control nitro cars you may want some competition features, such as ball bearings and oil shocks. When you choose a nitro RC car, make sure you understand what it does and does not include. Some kits already come with an engine. Competition-level cars provide the basic chassis, but often require you to purchase an engine and body separately.


You can control radio control nitro cars with the same type of 2-channel radio system used for an electric model. The one difference is that you will also need batteries to power the receiver in your vehicle. There is no battery pack for this RC cars motor that might also be used to power the receiver.


Some gas powered RC cars are powered by 4-cycle small internal combustion "glow" engines but most use a 2-cycle unit. They burn a nitromethane-based fuel that includes special lubricants for engine protection.


In addition to glow fuel, a number of fuel accessories are available that make it easier to operate radio control nitro cars. To get the fuel from its container into your model's tank, for example, you can use a Fuel Pump (powered and hand-crank options are available), suction-type Fuel Bulb, or a small Fuel Bottle with specially angled neck for reaching easily into confined areas. And fuel filters, installed in the fuel lines, will trap impurities before they can reach and possibly damage your RC cars engine.


Full-size automobile engines use spark plugs that ignite fuel with a spark...glow engines use a "glow plug" that, once heated with a battery-powered "glow starter," hold that heat to continue igniting the glow fuel as you race. Your radio control nitro cars engine may or may not come with a glow plug. Regardless, you will need additional plugs because they do need to be replaced-it's always a good idea to take several spares with you to the track for your RC cars. The glow starter, too, must be purchased separately.


You now have an assembled nitro RC car or truck, a radio, an engine and fuel. That covers the basic equipment that makes an assembled gas model ready race. But you need a few additional items to transform it from a static machine to a radio control nitro cars that springs into action at your command. Those include the following pieces of track equipment. (Remember, the vast majority of these are one-time purchases. Buy them once and you're all set for a long, thrilling nitro RC car racing career!)

Cheap Radio Control Cars

PRE-BUILT KITS


Already grown out of the simple versions of the cheap radio control cars but arent sure youre ready to tackle building one on your own?


Dont worry, there are cars available that come with the ease of being pre-built from the factory, but the versatility of having parts that can be replaced or upgraded. This is like having a best friend do all of the work for you!


Some kits come with the radio components, while some suggest the components you have to purchase separately. Its impossible to list all of the types of cars and manufacturers that fall into this category. Tamiya is one of the manufacturer names that will come up often in searches for pre-built kits. Many of their kits range from $100 - $200 for the simplest versions.


Another way to get into the lower level of hand built cars is to check your local hobby shop. Sometimes you have enthusiasts who love to build a car, then move on and build another one. Your local hobby seller may be able to get you in contact with someone like this who sells his or her finished products.


KITS


Perhaps you are ready to spread your wings and try to build cheap radio control cars on your own. Thats not too much to ask for. Just because you want to do most of it on your own doesnt mean youll have to pay a fortune for a kit to help you do that.


There are various manufacturers out there who sell such kits, and you can get them in all levels of assembly and all levels of price. With kits like this, you can personalize much of the vehicle and really put together the components you want. If you are really interested in building your first radio control car, there are a lot of resources available to you ranging from books to local clubs. Most RC enthusiasts are more than willing to help out a newcomer.


So dont let money be your reason for not diving into this wonderful hobby. As you can see, there are all kinds of ways to join in and start off with cheap radio control cars. If you start with baby steps such as these, you can be well on your way to a fun, lifelong hobby with more enjoyment that frustration!



Finding a business and the money

Business brokers will be able to help you find businesses in this market that are for sale. The cost of buying a business or franchise is related to the customer base, the reputation of the business and the profitability. Starting one depends on how quickly you want to grow and the number of customers you can sign up to use your service. In either case you will need some money to run and own the business. The business will dictate how much is needed. Once you find a business for sale, the negotiations will be critical if you need the help of the current owner in order to make the purchase. If this is the case, the price will probably be higher to buy the business. Other sources for coming up with the money are relatives and friends, the bank and business lending. Each source has its own problems and pluses. The real meat of the matter is how much extra you will need to make the deal.




Several concerns with this business are apparent. Can another owner assume the customers under contract? How much longer are the contracts in force? Is there a continuation clause in the contract that controls the fees that are charged to do the work? Is there a sales person that is responsible for getting new clients or was that what the old owner did for the company? This is important if the new owner is not a sales type of person. Someone has to speak for the company and make the company grow with new clients.





Collective Pitch Works on RC Helicopters

RC Helicopter Collective Pitch - Climbing and Descending


When a RC helicopter needs to climb or descend, it uses collective pitch. When the command is given for the helicopter to climb, the servos push the entire swashplate upwards. This has the effect of simultaneously increasing the pitch of all the rotor blades. When the pitch is increased, the rotors grab more air as they move, and so lift produced is increased. This increase in lift occurs evenly, so the helicopter does not turn. When the helicopter needs to descend, the swashplate is lowered in the same way. This will decrease the amount of lift produced from the rotor blades.


RC Helicopter Cyclic Pitch - Attitude Control


Changing
the bank and pitch of the helicopter requires the swashplate to tilt. This is accomplished by tilting the lower disk of the swashplate. When the lower disk is tilted, the upper disk will also tilt, while it is spinning. The main rotors, which are attached to the upper swashplate will also tilt. In order for this to happen however, each rotor must be given time to "fly up", or "fly down" to the location where it needs to be. This is accomplished by using pitch links, which provide each rotor with the information of where it needs to go, before it has to be there. The net effect is that the blades move cyclically, and tilt the motion of each rotor in one direction. The swashplate can be tilted in any direction, so the helicopter can change its pitch and bank in proportion to the commands given by the transmitter.


RC Helicopter Cyclic Collective Pitch Mixing (CCPM)


Model RC helicopters can use more than two servos in combination to control the motion of the swashplate. Software running on the rc transmitter (radio) tells each servo how much to move to achieve the desired motion of the RC helicopter. Each linkage to a servo is represented by a silver rod in the above picture. All of these rods are placed equidistant from each other. A swashplate mix refers to the number of linkages attached. For example: a two linkage swashplate would be controlled by two servo rods, placed 180 degrees apart from each other. A three linkage swashplate would use a 120 degree swash plate mix. The swash plate in the picture above has 6 control rods, and so it would use a 60 degree swash plate mix. Most RC helicopters will use a swashplate with between two or four control rods. The largest RC Helicopters use 4 control rods, because of the extra strength they give the swashplate mechanism.

New RC Helicopter

New RC Helicopter Video Game for the Nintendo Wii Called MiniCopter Adventure Flight。 MiniCopter: Adventure Flight for the Nintendo Wii is a new video game where you control various RC Helicopters. The game is controlled by the Wii remote or a classic controller - your choice. MiniCopter: Adventure Flight has 42 different missions and 7 landscapes making this game a blast for any RC helicopter fan. Your RC helicopters can be modified with various body kits and performance parts to improve performance. A two player mode lets you and a friend race your rc helis in an effort to collect the most rings.


Here are some screen shots from the MiniCopter: Adventure Flight for the Nintendo Wii.


See 117 more screen shots

four independently associated with snoring


Lead author and physician at University Hospital in Umea, Sweden, Karl Franklin, M.D., Ph..D, has said that his research findings include identifying early life environments as affecting whether or not you are a snorer later in life. Other experts that have done similar studies with these findings say that more research will be needed, and Franklin even acknowledges that the research is no reason to steer clear of the idea of childhood pets.


Franklin and his research team polled women and men between the ages of 25 to 54 along with all the residents of Iceland, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, and Estonia, and they got responses from 15,556 people. Participants were asked about their childhood, such as whether they had a dog or any other pets, whether they were ever hospitalized for respiratory infections before the age of two, and whether they suffered from recurrent ear infections. They were also asked about the size of their family, their parents' educational background, and the ages of their mothers.


The researchers found that four independently associated with snoring later in life.



  • If they were hospitalized for a respiratory infection before the age of 2, their risk of later snoring was boosted by 1.27 times.

  • If they suffered from reccurent ear infections as a child their risk was raised by 1.18 times.

  • If they grew up in a family with more than five members it increased their risk by 1.04 times.

  • If they exposure to a dog in the houshold as a newborn their risk was boosted by 1.26 times.


Franklin decided to take a look at early childhood exposures and later risk of snoring, following a trend in medical research of looking at how many adult associated diseases, such as diabetes and cardiovascular, can be traced to childhood exposures and experiences. He stated that exactly why the exposures he found associated with snoring ups the risk is not yet known. "Perhaps these things like dogs, infection, might increase the size of the tonsils," and that could in turn boost the risk of snoring later in life.


A sleep medicine expert and a the medical director of Northshore Sleep Medicine in Evanston, Illinois, said that the findings of the study need significant follow-up research. "This doesn't say much to me," she stated about the findings. Early infections are the most feasible of all of the risk factors associated with boosting the risk of snoring. "It's not clear how the dog and the large family is associated with snoring." The two risk factors that are well known for snoring, she says, are the structure of the throat of each individual and obesity.


Another expert and an associate clinical professor at the Yale Center for Allergy, Asthma and Immunology in Waterbury, Connecticut, Christopher C. Randolph, M.D., says that the exposure to infection and exposure to dogs are the links to snoring that makes the most sense. "Certainly individuals who are exposed to sever airway episodes, have recurrent [ear infections], live in large families where infection is common, and have a dog may be more likely to develop an immunologic ... response in the airways leading to tonsillar and or adenoidal [enlargement] and narrowing of the airway leading to snoring," he stated.


Keep losing weight

For the study, the women were divided into four groups, each with a different calorie intake restriction between 1,200 and 1,500 per day, and each group was assigned moderate to vigorous physical activity with varying levels of duration requiring a calorie burn of 1,000 to 2,000 per week. After six months, all of the women had lost weight; averaging between 8 and 10 percent of their starting weight-but only 47 women were able to sustain that weight loss at the two-year mark. These women exercised the most, burnt the most calories, and reported eating less food in general and decreasing dietary fat. The lead author of the study, John Jakicic, stated that people need to exercise more to keep losing weight, especially if they are already obese or overweight.


Current data, showing that over one-third of American women are now considered obese, has given cause for a new study led by John Jakicic, chairman of the Department of Health and Physical Activity at the University of Pittsburgh. It appears that the American Heart Association's current guidelines of at least 30 minutes of moderately intense activity five days a week (150 minutes per week) falls short-by almost half-of what the new study recommends. After following 200 women considered being overweight or obese for a two-year period, Jakicic's team found that in order to take of weight and keep it off that the study group needed to exercise about 275 minutes a week, which translates to 55 minutes, five times a week or 40 minutes a day.


It is hard for many people to find time for this kind of exercise with today's hectic life style, but there are ways to add more activity to your day that doesn't require much extra time. Try walking or biking to work, take the stairs, do leg lifts while sitting at your desk, wear wrist or leg weights during exercise or all day, be creative and make-up some of your own. Anything that keeps you moving helps to burn calories, and that is what it takes to get the weight off and keep it off.

Monday, August 25, 2008

Fly your RC Helicopter tips

Before You Fly your RC Helicopter


1. Always check / tighten all important screws before you fly rc helicopters.


2. Make sure you have the correct flight mode selected before you fly. If you use a simulator or have different 'birds' this is especially important.


3. If your radio has lots of switches, set it so that when you start all your switches are pointing the same direction.


4. Check your radio's range.


5. Make a checklist and stick to it.


6. Always ensure that your linkages are secure. Sometimes, when making adjustments, one end will unscrew more than the other and is just hanging on by a thread. If it slips off during flight, it could be a very expensive and dangerous lesson. Check them quickly before you spool up.


7. Make sure your receiver and transmitter batteries are fully charged. A dead battery can really wreck havoc in the air.


8. Whenever you start your rc helicopter, whether it's a nitro, gasser or electric, always hold the blade grips tightly. If your throttles not all the way down, or there's a glitch, your heli can spin out of control and cause serious damage.

How Do mini rc helicopter Work

These micro models are usually controlled by a 2 channel proportional infrared control system that controls the up/down and left/right movement. Some mini rc helicopter take into account the main rotor speed and adjust the tail rotor to compensate as you ascend or decent while with others you'll need to manually adjust the trim.


The whole system is powered by a small lithium polymer battery that is usually charged off the infrared transmitter in just a few minutes - this also eliminated more costly AC/DC wall plugs.


The tail rotor is powered by an even smaller brushed motor that's attached to the fixed pitch tail rotor.


There are no gyro's in mini rc helicopters like in conventional rc helicopters. Instead they have a trim switch which controls the speed of the tail rotor. Once you find the balance to counteract the rotational force of the main rotors, the tail will pretty much remain steady.


Most mini rc helicopters take about 10 - 20 minutes to charge and can buzz around for about 5-7 minutes depending on the model.


The gyroscopic action has a tendency to maintain it's axis of rotation relative to the ground and when no cyclic input is provided, it will keep the rc helicopter level. The secret behind their stability in the air is the weighted flybar. The flybar is attached to the main rotors and functions similarly to a gyroscope.

Thursday, August 21, 2008

4 Reasons To Fly RC Helicopter

1. Small Size:
Before electric helicopters, indoor flights and flights in your own backyard were next to impossible. Now, they are quick and easy. Newer versions are so small that even flying in the bedroom is possible. The smaller size of these helicopter means that it is easier to transport as well. However, for pilots who prefer big aircrafts, there are electric helicopters as big as.50 size gas models available.

2. Low Cost:
Flying RC Helicopter used to set people back thousands of dollars. People had to buy the helicopter kit (which comes in hundred small pieces - unassembled), servos, engine, starter, gyro, receiver, radio controller, a hundred other equipments, and of course - fuel. When everything has been purchased, you still have to assemble it!
3. Easy to Maintain:
Maintenance used to be one of the biggest hurdles for anyone wanting to start flying RC helicopters. Thankfully, electric RC helicopters tremendously decreased the amount of repairs required. These little wonders were specifically designed to keep the amount of fixing necessary to minimum. Therefore, repairs can usually be made with just the bare hands or with only one screw driver. Even more impressive is the fact that these types of helicopter rarely need repairing at all. They can survive most types of crashes without any problem. If you have more questions,you can find answers on Google or Yahoo.
4. Reliable and Easy to Fly:
With gas helicopters, countless crashes occur not because of pilot errors, but because the engine fail in midair. Who's to blame? After all, everybody knows that gas engines aren't the most reliable thing in the world. They also notoriously require constant tinkering to run smoothly. On the other hand, electric helicoptersfly undeniably more reliable. They almost never cut out in mid air, even when the battery runs down.

Fly a RC Helicopter is a Challenge

Learning how to fly a r c helicopter is a challenge within itself, and could never be fully taught over the internet or through some book. The best way to learn is to get real flying experience with an instructor at first, and then on your own later. You can find an instructor at a local RC airplane and helicopter club. RC airplane clubs are most common and exist in just about every state and country, and since most of them will have experience with planes they most likely will also know how to fly RC model helicopters too.
In my opinion,the challenge beginner helicopter pilot's face is learning how to fly their chopper. This is a big problem since a helicopter is the hardest aerial vehicle to fly and having a miniature version of one doesn't make things easier. If you have no helicopter flying experience and you try to fly it, most likely it will crash into the ground. To save yourself frustration you need to learn how to properly put it together and fly it.
I recommend that you read the instruction manual, front to back, before you attempt to put it together and when you actually do, make sure you tighten every bolt and include every screw. One missing screw or loose bolt can throw the whole helicopter off and send it crashing to the ground because it is unbalanced.