Screw
08-20-2004, 01:35 PM
Screw-In
Well, I took "DaScrew-Driver" up today with the new Resistor Spark plugs (Autolite 425).
I was very suprised about a few things. First Steve from Great Planes told me I shoud gap the new plugs at 16 thousands (.016). I said ok and gapped the plugs as instructed. When I pulled out the old plugs they were gapped at about 29 thousands (.029). I thought this was strange but relying on good information from the horses mouth, I proceeded to install them.
Usually, I have to choke the crap out of the engine, give it flowers, and hold my tongue just right to get it to fire. Not this time. Six pulls for choke, and she fired right up. I let it run for a while and work itself out. Had a helper hold while I did some power test and all seemed well.
We shut her down and let her cool off, as I started to get geared up and mounting radio gear.
The first test was with the engin off, and I attempted to transmitt. I cut the mic wire inside the radio as Ken J instructed. I plugged and powered up everything and put on my helmit. Keyed up and began to transmitt. I still cannot hear myself when I transmitt, but my habger buddy said I was Lima Charlie. :D
Next test was to start the engine and see if these new Resistor plugs did the job. Started the engine with no sweat, straped myself in, plugged everything up and powered everything "ON." I could still hear a good deal of RF interference, but was able to eliminate it by increasing the squelch. Again I transmitted and was Lima Charlie. :D Time to go fly. :cool:
Taxied out and departed Spring Valley, very hot and a stiff crosswind. Circled the pattern and noticed the RF intereferance was back. I increase the squelch and it was elliminated again. I transmitted again. Hanger Buddy responded Lima Charlie! :D We got us a working radio!!!!!!
So, I flew for a while and flew over my hometown of Loganville, and I heard someone else call for a "Radio Check." I answered his call and at first, he said I was breaking up. This could have been due to range, so I re-transmitted and he thanked me.
While I was up, I pulled up "Scott's Place" (Scott Essex of SX days) on my GPS and asumed the proper heading. Given my average speed and his range my ETA would have been 56 minutes.
Now that I have a working radio, and approximately 29+ hours on "DaScrew-Driver," I think it's about time I stretched her legs and take her on her very first Cross Country over to Scotts place.
The only thing that bugging me about the radio, is that I cannot hear myself when transmitting. Is there a cure for this?
Screw-Out
Well, I took "DaScrew-Driver" up today with the new Resistor Spark plugs (Autolite 425).
I was very suprised about a few things. First Steve from Great Planes told me I shoud gap the new plugs at 16 thousands (.016). I said ok and gapped the plugs as instructed. When I pulled out the old plugs they were gapped at about 29 thousands (.029). I thought this was strange but relying on good information from the horses mouth, I proceeded to install them.
Usually, I have to choke the crap out of the engine, give it flowers, and hold my tongue just right to get it to fire. Not this time. Six pulls for choke, and she fired right up. I let it run for a while and work itself out. Had a helper hold while I did some power test and all seemed well.
We shut her down and let her cool off, as I started to get geared up and mounting radio gear.
The first test was with the engin off, and I attempted to transmitt. I cut the mic wire inside the radio as Ken J instructed. I plugged and powered up everything and put on my helmit. Keyed up and began to transmitt. I still cannot hear myself when I transmitt, but my habger buddy said I was Lima Charlie. :D
Next test was to start the engine and see if these new Resistor plugs did the job. Started the engine with no sweat, straped myself in, plugged everything up and powered everything "ON." I could still hear a good deal of RF interference, but was able to eliminate it by increasing the squelch. Again I transmitted and was Lima Charlie. :D Time to go fly. :cool:
Taxied out and departed Spring Valley, very hot and a stiff crosswind. Circled the pattern and noticed the RF intereferance was back. I increase the squelch and it was elliminated again. I transmitted again. Hanger Buddy responded Lima Charlie! :D We got us a working radio!!!!!!
So, I flew for a while and flew over my hometown of Loganville, and I heard someone else call for a "Radio Check." I answered his call and at first, he said I was breaking up. This could have been due to range, so I re-transmitted and he thanked me.
While I was up, I pulled up "Scott's Place" (Scott Essex of SX days) on my GPS and asumed the proper heading. Given my average speed and his range my ETA would have been 56 minutes.
Now that I have a working radio, and approximately 29+ hours on "DaScrew-Driver," I think it's about time I stretched her legs and take her on her very first Cross Country over to Scotts place.
The only thing that bugging me about the radio, is that I cannot hear myself when transmitting. Is there a cure for this?
Screw-Out