FIGURE 2. Servo reverse and mix switches.
and fail-safe without issues with the
Spektrum DSM2 and DSMX radios
(they will not work with the older
DSM sets).
The DX5e featured here is a
particularly good starting point for a
beginner in the sport.
It’s relatively cheap at $70
including shipping from sources
like the Robot MarketPlace
( www.robotmarketplace.com).
The Hobby King R610 and R410
receivers are both cheap and small,
combat robotics uses.
TGIF at Mot rama
● by Dave Graham
President’s Day weekend in Harrisburg, PA means only one
thing: Motorama! Billed as the
nation’s largest all-indoor
motorsports event, Motorama is
held at the sprawling Pennsylvania
State Farm Show Complex. The two-day event boasts one million square
feet of exhibition space; draws over
1,500 riders, drivers, and
competitors; and entertains in
excess of 50,000 spectators. If it has
wheels and a motor, there’s an
event for it at Motorama!
FIGURE 1. Fleaweight
bot Lolcat.
for high school and one for college
students.
NERC uses Friday at Motorama
to conduct the 150 gram Fleaweight
and one pound Antweight robot
competitions. Two minute matches
take place in an eight foot arena,
and follow a double elimination
format. What I like about Friday at
Motorama is it’s really the setup day
for the overall event, so there are no
crowds. There are no spectator
admission charges (the $20
admission to Motorama is included
in the NERC registration fee for
competitors), you can park right
next to the Farm Show Complex,
and parking is free (normally $8
daily). That makes Friday an
enjoyable day for competitors, a
free day for spectators, and a
perfect opportunity for school field
32 SERVO 05.2012
