Please help promote RCModelReviews.com

Your Reviewer

My Credentials
So who's doing this reviewing then?

Well I've been building and flying or driving radio controlled models for over 40 years and during that time I like to think I've built up a reasonable amount of knowledge.

I'm also a qualified electronics engineer who has worked in radio frequency, analog, digital systems and software for more than three decades. In fact I designed and built my first RC set back in 1969.

For the past nine years I've also been involved in the design and manufacture of some rather sophisticated engine technology and UAV flight control systems.

So, chances are I've been there, done that and have a huge pile of tee shirts to prove it.

Right now I'm heavily into 3D flying and enjoy all aspects of the RC hobby. I may be old but I don't feel it.

In the Pipeline

Here's just a little bit of what's to come on this site...

RC explained: Demystifying terms such as PCM, PPM dual conversion, single conversion, full-range etc., this feature will explain it all.

Cheap Chinese Engines: Just how good are those cheap Chinese glow and gas engines that sell for half the price of their "brand-name" equivalent? I put several to the test.

Build your own radio gear?: Back in the old days, building your own RC gear was not uncommon and now the arrival of 2.4GHz has made it practical again.

RCModelReviews.com needs more visitors

CAN YOU HELP?

Dated: 1 May 2010

If you're reading this then (I hope) you're a happy RCModelReviews.com regular visitor.

If that's the case then I would invite you to tell others about this website and it's associated YouTube channel so that as many people as possible can benefit from the "no holds barred" reviews and unbiased product evaluations that are published here.

It's pretty clear from the server logs and independent information (such as the graph above) that visitors to RCModelReviews.com are finding plenty of compelling content here. As you can see, the average time spent on this site has grown rapidly and now exceeds that of RCU and RCG by a factor of about five.

The problem is that the actual numbers arriving here are still relatively small compared to those other sites so it would be great if you could help in addressing that problem.

How can you help?

Well first I have to say, and very emphatically: "NO SPAMMING"!

I can't abide spam and I certainly don't want anyone thinking that they're doing this site a favor by sending out unsolicited emails or just randomly posting links on other websites or discussion forums.

If you have your own website, Facebook page or blog then I'd be overjoyed if you included a link to RCModelReviews.com, that'd be enormously helpful.

Whenever there's a discussion on one of the various forums around the internet and the topic has been addressed by a review, feature or news item on RCModelReviews then posting a link to that page in order to provide people with more information is another great way to help.

Next time you're purchasing a product, you can always make mention of RCModelReviews if you've seen it reviewed or featured in the Showcase section. That'll ensure that suppliers are aware that it's a good idea to keep me in the loop and let me know when they have new products coming out.

And, if you're planning on buying a new product but haven't seen it reviewed here, you can contact the supplier and ask why not. Remember, those companies which have products that they know to be of good quality and performance will likely be far more inclined to submit them to RCModelReview for rigorous and objective testing than those who are just trying to make a quick buck.

Please don't forget to give RCModelReviews a mention when talking to fellow modelers. Don't just assume everyone you know has been here already. Include a mention in your club's newsletter or on its website so that others can benefit from finding out what is truly good and what's truly awful.

Remember, RCModelReviews are a lot more "in depth" than most other websites and to make my point, note that this review on RCG makes no mention of the critical weakness I found when reviewing the DSM2 system.

Far too many of those other reviews seem to be focused more on pleasing advertisers than objectively evaluating the products involved. RCModelReviews won't swap ad-dollars for review points -- but that means the only way this site will grow is for readers like you to spread the word whenever possible.

How does RCModelReviews.com survive without big ads?

Well for the time being, this website and the associated YouTube channel are very much a labor of love and are being funded mostly out of my own pocket.

However, I must acknowledge the very kind donations made by a small but very kind number of readers who clearly consider they're getting something of true value from this site.

I'm hoping that, if word spread widely enough and traffic to the site increases accordingly, then the number of donations will increase to the point where they significantly offset the costs involved -- so that I can spend even more time testing and reviewing stuff on your behalf.

So, if you'd like to see RCModelReviews stick to its guns and continue in its current form the ball is very much in your court.

And to all those who have already told others about this site, I thank you very much, your efforts are much-appreciated.