My first R/C system (OS Digitron 3-Channel) with my first R/C
vehicle (Cox .049-powered air boat made from foam and covered in Solarfilm).
This is a rare find. After having a Saved Search on eBay for years, looking for
an O.S. Digitron DP-3, 3-Channel
Radio Control System with original packaging and documentation, one finally
came up for sale. It was listed with inexact wording in the title, so maybe
that's why I found it before others. It had only been listed for a few minutes,
and I bought it instantly. This has got to be one of the primo examples left in
the world. All the original packaging and documentation is here, even including
a set of O.S. Digital decals. Why the enthusiasm, you might ask? This was my
very first R/C system that I bought from a neighbor for $100, back in 1973, when
I was a mere 14 or 15 years old. To my best recollection, it came with
everything here. The fitted leather transmitter case was very nice, and it kept
the metal chassis in excellent condition. My radio was on 27.195 MHz (green
flag), and at the time, an FCC license was required to operate it.
Above and to the left
is a photo of my DP−3, that was first installed in a homemade air boat (Cox .049
used for power). A single servo controlled the rudder. I had to swim out for it
more than once when the engine cut out unexpectedly.
I believe the first airplane the R/C system was installed in was a
Sterling Cirrus sailplane. It was really
way too heavy, but I managed to get a couple flights in after my father wore
himself out running to launch it on a towline for me.
Next, I installed the O.S. Digitron 3−Channel radio in my Andrews S−Ray model airplane. It had a steerable
nose gear and throttled engine, which allowed me to run it up and down the road
in front of my house for fun - yes, at 14 years old that counts as fun. My neighbors
begged to differ, however, since the transmitter, at 27.195 MHz spewed some
pretty significant harmonics (television interference, TVI) at the VHF television
channels. The 2nd, 3rd, 6th, and 7th harmonics fell squarely into the band. When
I switched the transmitter on during the summer afternoons when soap operas and
game shows were being viewed, housewives within three or four houses of mine would
stick their heads out the door and yell at me to turn it off. VHF channel 5 seemed
to be the most vulnerable to my interference (76-82 MHz, so 3x27.195=81.858 MHz
falls inband). They weren't too thrilled with the
engine noise, either.
The pictures below is my OS Digital 3-Channel that I bought off of an eBay auction.
It looks exactly like the system I had. It did not come with the sewn leather case
that went on the transmitter, so I am still looking for one if you know where it
can be gotten. The case came in handy once when I left the transmitter sitting on
top of my car after loading the airplane and field equipment into the car, then
puling out of the driveway and seeing the transmitter bounce off the road. Yikes.
The only damage was a hole in the side of the leather case where one corner of the
metal case punched through.
I would like to one day install the electronics from my Futaba Skysport T4YF
transmitter (72.750 MHz FM) into it for use with my
85% Aquila sailplane.
O.S. Digitron DP−3, 3−Channel Radio Control System with original packaging and
documentation.
OS Digitron DP-3 Transmitter - Front w/Back Cover
OS Digitron DP-3 Transmitter - Back
OS Digitron DP-3 Transmitter - Open Back
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OS Digitron DP-3 Transmitter - Front 3/4 View
OS Digitron DP-3 Transmitter - Right Gimbal
OS Digitron DP-3 Transmitter - Right Side
OS Digitron DP-3 Transmitter - NiCad Battery Pack
OS Digital Decals - how many of these are left in the world?
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OS Digitron DP-3 Transmitter - Top w/Open Back
OS Digitron DP-3 Transmitter - Left Gimbal
OS Digitron DP-3 Radio Control System - Transmitter - Left Side
OS Digitron DP-3 Transmitter - Printed Circuit Board Component
Side
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Here is are photos of an OS 6 channel radio that went up for bid on eBay in July
of 2008. I've been waiting for one of the 3 channel models.
See other Vintage Radio
Control Systems here.
Posted March 23, 2024 (updated from original post on 8/28/2008)
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