5) Radio Selection and Preparation
The only criteria required for selecting a radio is that the receiver be of the micro variety, the
radio have a minimum of three channels, and the two servos be of the sub-micro variety. An
example of micro receivers currently available are the Hitec Feather receiver, the MPI MX 6800
Pico universal FM receiver, the GWS R4-P micro receiver. Slightly larger and heavier is the
"M5" dual conversion 5 channel micro receiver from FMA Direct and the Hitec Electron 6
receiver.
All of the radio gear referred to in this manual is readily available or obtainable from your local
hobby shop, select online HobbyTechnik dealers, or directly from HobbyTechnik.
HobbyTechnik.com can provide you with complete radio, servo, ESC, and charger packages for
your ornithopter.
A good complete inexpensive radio for your Slow Hawk is the Hitec Laser 4 FM which comes
with rechargeble transmitter ni-cad batteries and transmitter charger. However, the best
complete radio set up requires a receiver not offered by Hitec so some mixing and matching is
recommended. The best overall radio system ( function plus economy) for the Slow Hawk is:
1) The Hitec Laser 4 FM radio ( transmitter and charger)
2) Two Hitec HS-56 servos or one HS-56 and one HS-55.
3) The GWS R4-P receiver with horizontal leads
(The above turnkey radio systems along with speed controller and battery charger are available
directly from www.HobbyTechnik.com either with or without ornithopter kit in combo package.)
For flying in congested RC fields with multiple radios in use, the larger dual conversion M5
receiver from FMA Direct is recommended to avoid possible interference.
The recommended electronic speed controls at this time are the Pixie 20 from Castle
Creations, the GWS ICS 300 8A controller, the GFS! 12 amp controller from Mikro Designs,
Inc., or the Geat Planes C-10 Electrifly. These are all good speed controls with smooth control
response and low weight. A minimum rating of 8 amps is required for any ESC used on the
Slow Hawk. The GWS ESC is the most economical but there is no auto shutdown so care must
be taken not to over drain the battery.
Do not use any of the 5-amp or 2-amp "slow flyer" speed controls on the market and expect
them to work. They will overheat and fail. Many slow flyer planes use a Mabuchi 270 motor
which has low current drain. Although almost identical in size, the motor in the Slow Hawk is a
higher watt motor and therefore draws more current. Install a minimum of an 8-amp controller
and you should have no problems.
Testing of various speed controls, receivers, and servos is ongoing at Hobbytechnik so other
makes and models of various electronic components will most likely be suitable for use, but at
the time of printing the above are the only ones recommended.
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6)
Basic Assembly
