Topic: Anyone remember Single-Channel R/C? anyone still use it? :D (Read 6173 times)

Phil_G · « **on:** August 02, 2012, 06:17:25 pm »

I wonder if there are any older members here who might remember using single-channel R/C equipment back in the 60s and 70s. Back then we had just a simple transmitter with a push-button for control which you pressed once for right and twice for left, with a quick blip changing the throttle. Many of us had superregen receivers which had to be operated one at a time, but waiting your turn never caused any problems because everyone accepted that thats just how it was! Anyone recall these times?

The reason I ask is that the model aircraft world is going through a kind of single-channel renaissance, using familiar 1960s equipment such as the Macgregor MR200, Mainstream Gem and the RCS Guidance System, but with the convenience and reliability of a 2.4ghz conversion. Single channel flying is great fun and its certainly a talking point at the field!
Whilst there has been a steady growth of interest from the older model flyers, there's been no interest whatsoever from model boaters, and I just thought that was a bit surprising. Maybe the nostalgia and the fun aspect doesnt translate to boats, I dont know! If anyone is interested, there are a few single-channel related videos on my Youtube channel, search for PHILG2864 and click 'all videos'

Just as an example, heres my Gem:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYXPy8hBjBg

and my RCS G/S:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GzVcMk7m2Os

Theres also a website, http://www.singlechannel.co.uk
Cheers
Phil

CF-FZG · « **Reply #1 on:** August 02, 2012, 06:49:03 pm »

Hi Phil,

Nice to see you over here

Are you still doing the servo tester kits??

Mark.

Colin Bishop · « **Reply #2 on:** August 02, 2012, 07:06:09 pm »

I remember it very well, it was all I could afford at the time and I think it should be consigned to the dustbin of history!

Colin

Phil_G · « **Reply #3 on:** August 02, 2012, 07:48:58 pm »

Hi Mark, yes still doing the exercisers, its the simplest but most popular project, started as a one-off but hundreds of them made since then!

Quote from: Colin Bishop on August 02, 2012, 07:06:09 pm

I remember it very well, it was all I could afford at the time and I think it should be consigned to the dustbin of history!

Ok, I guess that answers my question! I'll slink quietly away...

Cheers
Phil

Colin Bishop · « **Reply #4 on:** August 02, 2012, 07:59:24 pm »

I think it has historical value certainly, but trying to control your model by trying to remember whether you'd just pressed the button twice for port rudder or once for stop was a nightmare! I really envied those people with proportional r/c outfits even if they did cost a month or so's wages!

Colin

Artistmike · « **Reply #5 on:** August 02, 2012, 08:03:14 pm »

Thankfully there's always room for nostalgia in this hobby, as the interest in such items as early pond yachts and the re-launch of models like the Aerokit model boat range by the Vintage Model Boat Company goes to prove. You only have to look at early model marine diesels and steam units to see how easy it is to empty your pockets in this game !

Back in the days when early radio kit was around it was a bit expensive for me but a friend had one that I was very envious of and I used to watch them being used on my local lake; but by the sixties, when I could perhaps have afforded it, I'd discovered girls

Now I'm getting very interested in early examples of the hobby and have funnily enough been reading about these forms of radio control. No doubt there will be a growing interest in all of these items and it's nice to see that for historic reasons, people are still keeping the information alive....

pettyofficernick · « **Reply #6 on:** August 02, 2012, 08:31:32 pm »

I once had s single channel Macgregor, It was a blue colored metal box with a telescopic areil similar to the ones we know now, 1 stick and one servo, I had it in a Fokker monoplane which, if memory serves, was a Veron kit. Needless to say, it crashed on its first outing and I flogged it on at a fraction of its cost. Bet it would be worth a couple of bob now...

Artistmike · « **Reply #7 on:** August 02, 2012, 08:44:48 pm »

Quote from: pettyofficernick on August 02, 2012, 08:31:32 pm

I once had s single channel Macgregor, It was a blue colored metal box with a telescopic areil similar to the ones we know now, 1 stick and one servo, I had it in a Fokker monoplane which, if memory serves, was a Veron kit. Needless to say, it crashed on its first outing and I flogged it on at a fraction of its cost. Bet it would be worth a couple of bob now...

You just triggered a memory of my youth with me on the other end of a "champ" control line aircraft, powered by an ED Bee...

Sheer madness and dizziness were the order of the day with those but the friend I did it with had one of those blue R/C sets and it always seemed a far more civilised way of flying that spinning in circles..

Colin Bishop · « **Reply #8 on:** August 02, 2012, 08:51:07 pm »

Quote

No doubt there will be a growing interest in all of these items and it's nice to see that, for historic reasons, people are still keeping the information alive....

There is certainly a huge amount of vintage material out there which we could all usefully learn from. Some of the scale modellers from the 1970s were masters of their craft and we can still learn a lot from their techniques today. certainly their work equals the best of today's scratchbuilding and they had none of the advantages in materials and adhesives etc. that we take for granted now. Also the quality of drawings published in those old magazines beats most of the stuff you will see today - Norman Ough's warship detail for example.

But when it comes to technology, things really have moved on and those old elastic escapments and primitive R/C sets, not to mention the incrediby inefficient electric motors, have nothing but nostalgic value. Nothing much to learn from there.

Colin

armc40 · « **Reply #9 on:** August 02, 2012, 08:54:47 pm »

RCS MkII, Elmic Commander, Mills .75, tin of nitrated diesel, Mercury Tiger Moth (33"span) and some elastic purloined from my older sister's knickers for the escapements ....must be off getting all unnecessary here !!

Thing is though that it took SKILL to fly or sail with s/c, the only memory in use being that one between the flier's/boater's ears !

HS93 (RIP) · « **Reply #10 on:** August 02, 2012, 08:58:32 pm »

yes I built one of the MC Gregor single valve kits and had a hills two valve receiver I spent most of my youth getting shocks, beehive trimmers and 90v batteries plus of course the 1 1/2v heater for the valves it was in a sea commander
then went on to the most reliable set I had in those days an OS Pixie it was great centre load ant and I used an ED clockwork esc with a 4 1/2 flat battery in a fire tender with a os max 19 I think ran all day was great as a your lad of 14, yes in those days we where allowed soldering irons and 90v batteries and saws and planes. and yes I would play again but not with valves.

peter

armc40 · « **Reply #11 on:** August 02, 2012, 08:58:55 pm »

Quote from: Artistmike on August 02, 2012, 08:44:48 pm

You just triggered a memory of my youth with me on the other end of a "champ" control line aircraft, powered by an ED Bee... Sheer madness and dizziness were the order of the day with those but the friend I did it with had one of those blue R/C sets and it always seemed a far more civilised way of flying that spinning in circles..

Costs a fortune nowadays to recreate that madness and dizziness on a Saturday night !

Colin Bishop · « **Reply #12 on:** August 02, 2012, 09:25:26 pm »

With hindsight, I think a lot of the attraction was that there was less 'electronics' and more emphasis on electro mechanical gear so you could actually see how the thing worked and really understand it. Which is why even today people continue to like Bob's Boards and microswitches instead of their impenetrable electronic equivalents.

Colin

colin-d · « **Reply #13 on:** August 07, 2012, 09:11:25 am »

i have still got my Macgregor single pushbutton, It is a blue colored metal box, as far as i remember, it does not work anymore

i would have to dig it out, and photograph it...

Artistmike · « **Reply #14 on:** August 07, 2012, 09:21:27 am »

Quote from: colin-d on August 07, 2012, 09:11:25 am

i have still got my Macgregor single pushbutton, It is a blue colored metal box, as far as i remember, it does not work anymore

i would have to dig it out, and photograph it...

Yes do, that will bring back a few memories.

colin-d · « **Reply #15 on:** August 07, 2012, 09:51:11 am »

I'll see what i can do... I'll have a hunt for it to night.. when i get home from work

spearfish99 · « **Reply #16 on:** August 07, 2012, 10:04:22 am »

My first boat was a Starlet yacht built by my dad from plans following an article in Model Boats . Radio was one of the Macgregor single channel sets, sillvery blue box with one stick for rudder and a press button for throttle (or in my case sail winch) Think they called it the Codeamatic or something similar.

Many happy hours sailing at Emberton Park near Olney , Bucks. Then one day someone turned up with one of the new Horizon two channel propo sets that were being made fairly locally (?? Bedford). Even had two sets of crystals built in so you could switch from one to the other . Bliss

P.S.

Phil,

Looked at your web site, and saw the dedication to Dave Boddington. He was a good old boy and used to come to our model club at Avon Cosmetics in Northampton. One of the nicest and most helpful guys you could meet. I bought a Horizon 6 channel set from him that he had used in one of his demo planes for airshows. It was a high wing mono with two seperate little planes under the wings , parasite fashion which he would drop off and then they would fly their own demo (under seperate pilots).

Happy days

dodgy geezer · « **Reply #17 on:** August 07, 2012, 05:50:29 pm »

Quote from: Artistmike on August 07, 2012, 09:21:27 am

Yes do, that will bring back a few memories.

Remember 'progressive control'? One of these (from the back of my Sea Rover):

colin-d · « **Reply #18 on:** August 07, 2012, 07:17:38 pm »

i have found me MacGreger in he cellar, hinden away in my work bench

armc40 · « **Reply #19 on:** August 07, 2012, 07:53:16 pm »

Does anyone at all remember this old set....ground based and 'flex' coupled to a hand operated micro switch....beware the damp weather though !

Artistmike · « **Reply #20 on:** August 07, 2012, 08:39:08 pm »

Colin, that MacGregor system really brings back some memories, you could have a valuable little stash tucked away there in your bench, in historical terms. Looks in nice condition too, may well be worth trying to get it sorted out and working again... a nice bit of nostalgia anyway !

colin-d · « **Reply #21 on:** August 08, 2012, 09:08:50 am »

it was my very first Radio gear.... my father bought it for me, and i paid him back weekly from the money i got for doing my paper rounds...

i would estimate it to be over 40 years old..

Circlip · « **Reply #22 on:** August 08, 2012, 09:36:05 am »

3D6's 135v HT, now you're talkin'

Regards Ian.

vnkiwi · « **Reply #23 on:** August 11, 2012, 07:10:36 am »

My first R/C control - 1967

17 pound at the time, against my yearly gross pay of 520 pound (10 pond gross per week)

Ordered by mail and sent from Japan

Still have the Pitman Boatmaster electric motor (model 9004-6) which powered the boat that went with them.

cheers
vnkiwi

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Author Topic: Anyone remember Single-Channel R/C? anyone still use it? :D (Read 6173 times)