You do realize that this can't be used in sanctioned competition, don't you?

Have a great time with it, then!  

I would just hate to see someone drive very far to a contest and not be allowed to fly.  It looks like a very nice job of adding the leadouts -- are those parts from a commercially available handle or did you fabricate them yourself?  Also, what are they anchored to inside the case?

Thanks for posting this --

  The parts are all hand made using a milling machine. The controller feels just fine in my right hand.  The mounting rod goes all the way thru the radio.  The grip area is filled with epoxy and the rod fits into a milled groove in the epoxy.  The unit will be able to any required pull test.  I did think about putting the switch on the back, but it did not fell that awkward reaching it on the front side. 
  I Did not know that the Brodak event was sanctioned. I Will still be there, hoping to compete in the beginner pattern event.  I think its crazy that radio units are not allowed, because with 2.4 GHz the controll units are bullet proof.

Just take the antenna off and run the RF down the control lines. It would then be legal I think. Isn't electric control down the wires legal in scale and carrier? Nothing in the rules says what type of signal or does it?

Personally I think it's a silly rule that has seen it's time. The rule was put in place to eliminate the possibility of a CL airplane interfering with an RC airplane which won't happen with todays radios.

The U/Tronics control system controls the throttle,retracts, ect.  This system does the samething, but uses a 2.4 GHz signal to do it.  The up & down is still controlled by the lines.

There are a couple of problems with 2.4 Ghz in CL models.  The primary one being not allowed in sanctioned events.   And also it's an insurance killer in case of an accident while sport flying.

But the biggest thing is I don't think anyone has proposed a rules change to allow it, or am I wrong  It just makes common sense to me, but common sense has never been a bureaucrazy strong point.

My bad, for not thinking about making such a proposal.  Maybe the next rules cycle will see one.

Minor point of correction, but FF now does allow radio DT in FAI class.

FF has no control.

CL has control through the lines.

RC has control through the air.

Simple, clear, and well-stated in the rules.

I don't think it would obsolete any control systems.  Flying two wire set ups call for bigger lines also.  And if we want to get people flying we have to do something to make them want to try it.  I would like to see the system in person.  To me this is like saying electric is going to obsolete IC engines.   

Agreed, wished this had come up before the cycle closed.

If I understood Keith Trostle right, now don't take my word for  it but, I think it is the chairperson of eah of the contest rules boards.  As he asked each of us on stuntrules board to send our thinking on them.  Best to contact your dist. rep on it.   

After reading the rules change procedures I realize that any such change will have to wait until the next rules cycle.  Still makes sense to me since the intent of the current rule has it's origins when interference was an extremely large problem.  Since that is no longer the case with 2.4 GHz it is IMO a superfluous requirement.

Paul, if you are referring to the radio systems now in use, you will find there is no signal going thru the air.  It is all going down two insolated attached to a bellcrank for elevator control.  The signals/pulses are driving servos in the plane for different functions.  I have a set if and when I get around to making a scale plane.

As the manufacturer of most of the electronics control units presently being used in Control Line for Navy Carrier and Scale I can assure you that there is NO Radio Frequency Signal being transmitted between the handle and model.

ZERO ZILCH NONE!!!!!

My U/Tronics Control units will pass any test for RF transmission as none is used.  They do comply with the FAI rules that limit us to pulse rates of less than 30 KHz.

I have been supplying these for over 25 years and still people Will claim that RF is used but just not admitted to.  I am tired of reading that we are cheating by sneaking RF into our units.  It is just not so now or ever was true.

Clancy C. Arnold
U/Tronics Control

The present control through the lines using U/Tronics units, for example, is both legal and effective. There are people using this in Carrier (and even more so in Scale) and it works for them. The real downside of this is the requirement for insulated lines which add line drag and weight to, as well as reduce reliability (mostly due to breakdown between the lines) of, the system. Allowing R/C would eliminate the need for insulation on the lines, a huge performance improvement. Thus, it would obsolete present through-the-lines electronic control systems used in Carrier competition, as well as, to a lesser extent, those used in Scale competition. How about using an R/C engine shutoff and retract control in Stunt, too? Would that become legal? (I don't know the stunt rules, sorry.)

Now, suppose I were to develop an R/C system with, for example, control of the flaps so that I could have flap position variable, changing between going upwind and going downwind. Really easy to do with R/C, (or with through-the-lines electronic control, but then I'm stuck with the draggy, heavy insulated lines.) If this flap trick really works well, then I have obsoleted all the three-line systems as well.

I think I could enjoy working with the R/C link for C/L sport, but the inclusion of R/C in C/L competition has consequences which could affect the events in adverse ways. Caution here would be wise.

I would also warn about counting on the collective wisdom of the CB Chairs that would vote on a General rules change. They have made some spectacular errors in the past when votiing on changes in general rules that do not bear on their events. They are generally (but not always) willing to listen to comments from people in other events. So if this were to come up as a general rules change, we would need to communicate our concerns to the C/L CB Chairs very clearly.

Pete

Hogwash.. It's being done legally now, only difference is the method of signal transfer. Using RC equipment won't change anything except make it easier and less expensive. From your posts sounds like you just have a dislike for RC anything and instead of looking at the possibilities you just closed your mind and decided you didn't like it no matter if it might be a good thing or not.

Doing away with the insulated lines (and the 3rd line) would change EVERYTHING.
 
The advantages of using out-and-out RC on a CL carrier or scale plane would make these bastard devices instant winners and would drive both 3-line mechanical controls and Clancy's stuff into extinction.

I have nothing against RC in its proper place, which is on an RC field.  If I wanted to fly RC, I'd just fly RC and not try to impose it on Control Line.

I don't understand why the safety issue is comming up.  The 2.4 system is safer than any control line system now used.  When a cable breaks, or you have an out of control take off, the engine can not be shut down, but with this system just push the trigger forward and the engine shuts down!

I didn't say you make things safer or unsafer - I said the safety CODE would have to change -- To reflect those parts of the RC code having to do with frequency control and site separation would also apply to control line sites.  It isn't a matter of what you do or don't do -- it's a matter of what you MIGHT do or not do.  This is the stuff that insurance underwriters will want to see addressed.

In any case, my point is not that we should or should not allow radio control in control line - it is that there are many more possible ramifications which might need to be addressed when one considers changing any rule - especially in the 'General' section of the rulebook and that when you start to 'blur the line' you get other people involved in "your" sport.  Just food for thought ..

This discushion reminds me of 1985 when Jack Sheeks and I proposed allowing power through the lines for indoor CL flying. See CL Scale column by Bill Boss April 1985 Model Aviation.

We proposed it for CL but guess which Board it was assigned to ---- Yep, RC.  Even worse it was assigned to the Electric RC board.  Their first comment was that it could not be done. 

I wonder how I hit that overhead beam on a wingover if the plane could not fly???

Clancy