The Joy of Radio-Controlled Modelling. Stanley Chan The Hong Kong Radio Control Soaring Society

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1 The Joy of Radio-Controlled Modelling Stanley Chan The Hong Kong Radio Control Soaring Society

2 Surface models The Sport of R/C Modelling Cars Boats Toys, Robots and Others Air models Aircraft Helicopters Sailplanes Jet, Rockets and Others

3 The R/C Model Industry The second largest hobby industry and the fastest-growing worldwide market 3.5 billion US dollars in 2002 grow rate at 25% yearly China produces about 75% of world r/c products. Many factories are Hong Kong owned, for examples, World Model (Radar), Great Wall, Fun-Key, AMD, Windrider, and many OEM model airplane companies. There are numerous HK-owned factories producing r/c accessories, such as model engines and motors, r/c electronics and parts, batteries. The r/c hobby industry is economically important to Hong Kong Major players in r/c hobby industry are also r/c model enthusiasts who originally developed their expertise through r/c modelling activities. The r/c modelling activities in HK should be encouraged.

members Helicopter clubs, HKRCHA over 70

4 The R/C Modelling Communities in HK R/C Clubs Glider Clubs, HKRCSS over 90 members Helicopter clubs, HKRCHA over 70 members and a numbers of small clubs Powered plane clubs, HKAMC, Jet, HKAeroSport R/C racing clubs; HKMRC & others Individual r/c modellers Gliders > 500 Helicopters > 800 Powered aircraft > 1000 Cars > 4000 Boats > 300 Toys & Others > 1xxxx Other r/c users HK Aviation club, HKROA,... > 2000

Activities and Competitions R/C activities and competitions by discipline Sailplane; major slope soaring sites

Competitions; slope combats, MoM races, F3F, F3K, F3J according to FAI rules Helicopter; major flying sites in

Competitions; F3C FAI class, Hirobo Cup Powered aircraft; major flying sites in Tai Tong, Tuen Mun and various

Car; various outdoor and indoor sites scattered around HK.

5 Activities and Competitions R/C activities and competitions by discipline Sailplane; major slope soaring sites in Clearwater bay, Fei Ngo Shan. Hundreds of sailplane flyers can be seen during weekend. Competitions; slope combats, MoM races, F3F, F3K, F3J according to FAI rules Helicopter; major flying sites in Nan Sang Wai, Tuen Mun, Shek Kong, TKO and various places scattered around HK. Competitions; F3C FAI class, Hirobo Cup Powered aircraft; major flying sites in Tai Tong, Tuen Mun and various places scattered around HK. Competitions; F3A class, pattern fight contest, China-HK-Macao Cup. Car; various outdoor and indoor sites scattered around HK. Competitions; World cup, Mini-Z race R/C modelling is fun, healthy, recreational and educational. Hong Kong has natural resources and man power in organising international competitions but man-made obstacle can be a major challenge

5W elsewhere Carrier frequency is determined by a crystal in transmitter (a pair of x'tals for Tx and Rx ).

6 Radio Control Equipment Proportional control with 2 to 10 channels RF carrier in VHF with 10 to 50 khz spacing Modulation; AM, FM Encoding; PPM, PCM Max. radiated power 100mW(UK), 0.75W(China), 0.5W elsewhere Carrier frequency is determined by a crystal in transmitter (a pair of x'tals for Tx and Rx ). Crystal pair can be changed at will but must be within a frequency band, say 72MHz band. Some advanced Tx models have a plug-in RF module, which can be changed so that the operating frequency band can be changed, say, from 72MHz band to 27MHz band.

7 R/C Bands 26MHz ( Mhz) 27MHz (26.96 to MHz, shared with CB radios) 29MHz ( MHz) 35MHz ( to MHz) 36MHz ( MHz) 40MHz ( to MHz) 41MHz ( MHz) 50MHz ( MHz) 53MHz ( mHz) 72MHz ( MHz) 75MHz ( MHz) R/C Frequency Allocation No. of Channels (spacing) Models Countries License Req. 14 (20kHz) All types of Europe No models 13 (20/30kHz, UK) Toys and all UK, HK, China, US, No 32 (10kHz, UK) types, surface Japan and Europe 6 (50 khz US, Europe) and air 12 (20kHz China) 13(20kHz) Toys and all New Zealand, Australia, No 14 (10kHz) types of models Singapore 36 (20kHz, UK) Aircraft UK, Europe No 20 (20kHz, Europe) 30 (20 khz) Watercraft & Australia No 59 (10 khz) 19 (10 khz, Europe) 34 (10kHz, UK) 13 (20kHz, China) aircraft Surface (UK) S&A(Europe, China) * 10kHz spacing is typically not recommended for sailplanes and powered aircraft UK and Europe, Japan, China (tbc) 21 (20 khz) All types of Europe No models 10 (20kHz) Surface US No 8 (100kHz) All types of models 50 (20 khz, US) Aircraft 10 (20kHz, China) All types (Europe) US US, Japan, Europe HK(2 ch. only) China (tbc) 30 (20 khz) Surface US No No Yes No Yes (HK)

8 The R/C Frequency Usage in HK The current situation OFTA's assumption that r/c users in HK all use 27MHz licensefree band is flawed, this band is no longer suitable for air models the license requirement for 2 channels in 72MHz band is unclear or unknown to r/c modellers. New comers have no knowledge of the license requirement when they purchase their r/c equipment The 6 newly released channels in 72MHz band r/c dealers should be notified for the license requirement. Application forms and guidelines should be distributed to dealers. Whenever an r/c equipment is sold, the dealer should pass the application form to the buyer. OFTA should generate a list of r/c equipment which are type-approved.

The Need for more R/C Channels User density (rc modeller / sq. km) US 0.05 UK 0.2 Japan 0.3 Australia 0.003 China 0.

9 The Need for more R/C Channels User density (rc modeller / sq. km) US 0.05 UK 0.2 Japan 0.3 Australia China 0.02 Hong Kong 40 R/C user density in Hong Kong is much higher than in other parts of the world. In comparing to other application users such as amateur radio users, r/c user density is even much higher and the economic benefit is in a greater scale. Many competitions such as car racing, slope combat for gliders require operating a large number of models simultaneously - the only mean of avoiding interference is frequency separation. There is a pressing need for more r/c channels!

Interference, Type-Acceptance and License Interference Caused by two or more transmitters using the same carrier frequency

Time-sharing; controlled by r/c clubs, self-discipline control Separated operating areas far away from each other Frequency

.. Type acceptance test of r/c equipment manufacturer or importer's responsibility mutual acceptance by various countries

10 Interference, Type-Acceptance and License Interference Caused by two or more transmitters using the same carrier frequency in adjacent area. Interference causes crash and is potentially dangerous How to avoid? Time-sharing; controlled by r/c clubs, self-discipline control Separated operating areas far away from each other Frequency separation; more r/c channels available Spread spectrum technology - we are still waiting for... Type acceptance test of r/c equipment manufacturer or importer's responsibility mutual acceptance by various countries according to recognised standards Need a license for operating r/c equipment? No, if the equipment is type-approved and there is no other application users on the same band or on adjacent channels

11 To allocate Our Recommendation 29MHz band for license-free surface models parts of 40MHz and 72MHz bands for air models if they are still available (preferable at least 20 channels each). If the foreseeable interference to other application users is minimum, licensing requirement should be waived To investigate the possibilities of releasing other commonly used r/c bands such as 35/36MHz, 41MHz, and 50MHz bands

12 Conclusion The r/c modelling industry is important to Hong Kong economic The r/c modelling activities should be supported. The sport is not only good for recreational purposes but also serves to cultivate the development of local r/c industry and industrialists, and to promote interest in aviation in Hong Kong generally We need more r/c bands for separated surface and air models A clear policy on r/c frequency allocation comparable to those of advanced nations should be set and made known to the r/c modelling communities

The Impact of IMT System on ATSC System

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