Edition: Model Aviation - 1988/06
Page Numbers: 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108
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AMA NEWS

Frequency Information

The Straight Story for 1988–1991

Recently various publications and advertisements have listed AMA so‑called "regulations" concerning radio frequency use. Confusion has resulted. The following information is presented to clarify the situation. Specific, complete information may be found in the "Radio Frequency Information" section beginning on page 9 of the AMA Membership Manual.

Question: Is operation on the so‑called "old" frequencies (72.080, 72.160, 72.240, 72.320, 72.400, 72.960, 75.640) a violation of the AMA Safety Code, placing liability insurance in jeopardy? Answer: Yes — absolutely. See Radio Control, item 4 of the Safety Code. The same condition applies to operation on the ham band (6 meters) without proper licensing. Such operation violates the Safety Code and is illegal. Operation on those frequencies was discontinued by the FCC in December 1987.

Question: For channels 12–34, are narrow‑band transmitters required for sanctioned events and recommended for all R/C operating sites? Answer: Yes. See item 49, page 10 of the AMA Membership Manual.

Question: How can I tell if my transmitter meets the narrow‑band guidelines? Answer: There is no simple answer. Transmitters manufactured within the last year to year‑and‑a‑half have a good probability of meeting specifications, especially FM units. Older radios sent in for service or frequency conversion will often be returned with a sticker affixed — silver for broadband and gold for narrow‑band. Checking is generally done with a spectrum analyzer, an expensive device that reads the transmitted signal. AMA has offered this checking service at trade shows and selected events. If you cannot access an AMA check, the surest way is to return the transmitter to the manufacturer for checking.

Question: Will transmitters be required to have a sticker affixed to indicate whether they are "narrow‑band" or "broadband"? Answer: No. The sticker program developed jointly with the Radio Control Manufacturers Association (RCMA) and AMA is voluntary and informational. While many new transmitters carry stickers, an adequate number of service stations to check all radios does not yet exist and some manufacturers may not participate. A club may require stickered, narrow‑band operation for lower channels (12–34) by adding such a requirement to club rules — doing so makes it part of the AMA Safety Code for that club site (see General Item 3). Contest Directors may require certifying statements from competitors that their transmitters meet narrow‑band guidelines; it is wise to ask how that determination was made (manufacturer check, AMA trade‑show check, etc.).

Question: Is the new frequency flag identification plan required? Answer: No. The plan — a single‑color streamer per channel plus a channel‑number plaque — is strongly recommended for all R/C operating sites. Clubs may mandate flag use if they choose. At national events (for example, the Nats) recommended flag use and frequency pins are expected, and transmitters may be spectrum‑analyzer checked and require impound between flights. The AMA plan is recommended to promote consistent site practices, but local sites may set their own rules.

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AMA Scholarships

#### AMA/Charles H. Grant Scholarship

  • Up to $11,000 is available to be distributed among applicants on the basis of AMA modeling activities, scholastic achievement, and citizenship.
  • All applications are considered and evaluated by the AMA/Charles H. Grant Scholarship Committee, which makes recommendations to the Executive Council (AMA’s board of directors).
  • Current Scholarship Committee members:
  • Bob Stalick, Albany, OR (Chairman)
  • Bob Underwood, Reston, VA
  • Cliff Telford, Bethesda, MD
  • Betty Stream, Long Beach, CA
  • Travis McGinnis, Arvada, CO

Selection notes:

  • Applicants are rated in several major categories, including class rank, grade average, and test results.
  • A well‑rounded applicant active in modeling and community activities may be competitive even if not at the very top academically.
  • In general, eligible applicants are current AMA members who (1) have been active in model airplane activities for the last three years, (2) graduate from high school in the current or prior year, and (3) are enrolled in a college or university certificate or degree program.

#### Other Scholarships

  • Sig Memorial Scholarship — awards based on modeling achievement and financial need.
  • Tom Hutchinson Memorial Scholarship — awards for achievements in Free Flight activity.
  • All three programs use the Charles H. Grant/AMA Scholarship application information. For the Sig and Hutchinson programs, scholastic data is less determinative.
  • It is possible for an individual to receive awards from multiple programs. Applications are available from AMA Headquarters. Deadline: May 31.

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AMA Checks (Former Check Program)

Last year AMA offered members the option of ordering bank checks through AMA, which generated a small commission to AMA at no extra cost to subscribers. An AMA logo imprint option was available. Insufficient member participation ended the program; replacement checks must now be ordered through banks again.

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Foreign Magazines (Subscription Program)

AMA previously provided subscriptions to British model magazines for members. The program worked for a while but was disrupted by overseas mailing delays and other logistical problems; ultimately the drawbacks outweighed the benefits.

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District Report — Don Kraftt (District I Vice‑President)

Don Kraftt P.O. Box 1828 Duxbury, MA 02331 (617) 934‑6246

Associate Vice Presidents:

  • Gerald Brown, P.O. Box 4344, Middletown, RI 02840
  • Bill Chandler, P.O. Box 441, Orland, ME 04472
  • Bud Davenport, 33 Ash St., Townsend, MA 01469
  • Bob Landry, 80 Main St., Essex, VT 05452
  • Richard Sherman, 28 High St., Plymouth, NH 03264
  • Bob Wallace, 91 Sylvan St., Avon, CT 06001

Frequency Coordinator:

  • George Wilson, 82 Frazer Way, Marstons Mills, MA 02648

New England Sport Scale Association (NESSA):

  • Organized March 28, 1980; membership has grown from 13 to nearly 40.
  • Members fly at Ring Field in Berwick, ME — over 80 acres owned by member Bob Ring.
  • Facilities: 2,000‑ft. grass runway (handles full‑size aircraft) and a 400 x 25‑ft. asphalt strip for R/C.
  • Fly‑before‑you‑buy program started in 1984; club trainers and buddy‑box instruction available.
  • Weekly flight training: Wednesdays, May through September, 5:30 p.m. to dusk.
  • Monthly meetings: October–April (second Friday, 7:00 p.m.); May–September (second Wednesday during flight training).
  • Contact club officers for details: Norm Buehene (207‑324‑8784), Bob Ring (207‑698‑5729), Vince Cahill (603‑742‑8298), Bob Payeur (603‑332‑7312).

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District Report — Bob Brown (District III Vice‑President)

Bob Brown 1255 High Street Bradford, PA 16701 (814) 362‑7722

Associate Vice Presidents:

  • Francis Fluharty, 504 21st St., Vienna, WV 26101
  • Nelson Gould, 1544 LaSalle St., Allentown, PA 18103
  • John Hathaway, 102 Woodmere Dr., New Stanton, PA 15672
  • Jay Mealy, 200 Winter St., Clearfield, PA 16830
  • Gil Weiss, 2004 Hallowell Ct., Bensalem, PA 19020

Frequency Coordinator:

  • John Cottle, 102 Wyoming Ave., Forty Fort, PA 18704 — Phone: (717) 287‑8970

Key items and activities:

  • Many clubs face flying‑site problems; AMA and District III representatives are working with public officials to open channels of communication and support site development.
  • Contacts who have helped: Hon. K. Leroy Irvis, Speaker of the Pennsylvania House (Harrisburg, PA 17120) and William C. Forrey, Director, Bureau of State Parks (2150 Herr Street, Harrisburg, PA 17103‑1625).
  • Efforts are also underway to develop sites in Ohio and West Virginia.
  • Public relations is vital; AMA Headquarters’ PR staff (Geoff Styles, Jeff Troy) can assist clubs with pamphlets, tapes, and movies.
  • District III meetings are held throughout the year; recent meetings were in Salt Fork, OH and Toledo, OH. A meeting will be held in conjunction with the STARS Scale Rally, July 9–10, in Olean, NY.
  • The Nats is promoted as both a competition and a national reunion for modelers.

Club highlights and local events:

  • Mahoning County Model Club (NE Ohio): mall show in March; fun‑fly July 10; water‑flys May 22 and August 13 (51 modelers attended last year).
  • The Cleveland area static show at Randall Park Mall displayed nearly 700 models; special youth categories encouraged school participation.
  • Flea markets are recommended as simple fundraisers and winter social events.
  • The Executive Council Safety Committee is revising the Safety Code; input is invited on the balance between explicit rules and local tailoring.
  • Monthly club recognition: Beaver County Model Airplane Club featured at a recent picnic.

Closing reminder: SAFE FLYING IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF EVERY MODELER.

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Regional & Event News (Selected Items)

  • Charleston Radio Control Society (Charleston, SC): 20th‑year celebration — two‑day fly‑in planned for August 27–28. Contact: Allen W. Wehman, Jr., 111 Honeysuckle Lane, Summerville, SC 29483 (for inquiries about completing a partially built Ziroli Bearcat project).
  • Mississippi: Ed Hunter (AVP) received an Honorary Membership from the MS Coast RC Club (Biloxi).
  • Puyallup / Tacoma area:
  • Ted Warren held a model building session for elementary teachers at the Tacoma Dome prior to the Puyallup EXPO (Delta Dart builds).
  • Juniors participating in FAI Junior Free Flight activities; some Juniors being sent to the first‑ever FAI Junior Free Flight competition in Poland.
  • Rediscovery of the Kibby Dome in Moscow, ID, noted as an excellent indoor flying facility.
  • Salmon RC Fliers (Salmon, ID): 9th annual Memorial Day Fun‑Fly, May 28–29 at Holcomb Field. Contact John Cantinney (208‑756‑3241).
  • PASS club: Hand launch events at Rock Creek (May 15; June 11 and 26). Cross‑country race June 4. NSS Soar‑In June 18–19 near Canby. Recreational Meet July 2–3.
  • IESS Memorial Day Classic (east of Spokane): May 29–30 (thermal soaring contest).
  • Big Bird & Quarter‑Scale events:
  • Puget Sound ROCS Charity Fly at Yelm — May 7.
  • Emerald Air Corps Quarter‑Scale Fly‑In near Eugene — May 15.
  • Tri‑City Modelers Big Bird Fly‑In at Finley, WA — June 4.
  • RCCFBC B‑B Fly‑In at Boundary Bay, B.C. — June 12.
  • Electric meets:
  • RAMS Electric Fun‑Fly at Auburn — June 19.
  • Boeing Hawks Annual Electric Fly‑In at Kent — June 25–26.
  • Float Flys: June 4–5 (Platt at Tualatin, OR; Farragut Fliers near Sandpoint, ID).
  • Scale events and meets: many regionals scheduled through summer (check local listings).

Additionally:

  • Misery Meet (Feb 27–28 on Harts Lake Prairie) reported as successful.
  • Nats: NASA to host a Scale Forum on Thursday, July 28; details at the event.

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Please contact AMA Headquarters or your district officers for schedules, official rules, club assistance, or to obtain scholarship applications and additional information. Remember: practice safety and common courtesy at the field.

Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.