When, I first purchased my Futaba F-14 controller.
I want to expand the Radio controller.
By as many as 16 channels!

But, the expansion failed!
Let's just say Futaba no longer sells the F-14 Controller!

I was how ever given advice to use RC function switches!

Now I purchased a 4 function and 1 function switch.

Which, I can control from two RC channels!
That still leaves me 6 channels to use on the F-14 controller!
And now adding those switches.
Just converted my Futaba F-14 controller.
To a 11 channel controller!

Hopefully everything works as planned!

My next step is to complete the mast!
But, I'm currently waiting for the wire I use to arrive!
It should be here within a weeks time!

Hi all,

I'm finally back!
After taking some time off to work on another project!
I was also waiting for some supplies.
I had ordered over two weeks ago!

My soldering iron wasn't working.
So, I ordered a new one!
It's one of those digital ones!
About 60 watts!
I also ordered tip tinner as well!

I also had to order a disordering bulb and some disordering braid too!

Why the disordering bulb and braid?

Well, I started to solder the LED's to the mast of the Smit Nederland!

I had a real problem, With my soldering iron.
It just didn't get hot enough!
And I just made a real mess!

That's why I ordered a new digital soldering iron!

anyway, I have to disorder all the connection of the mast!

After having Skyped with Martin555!
And going over what I had done!
All the connections on the mast failed!
I couldn't figure it out!

But, I skyped with Martin555!
And together we were able to figure out.
That the connections to the LED's have a coating on them! So, that's why the connections failed!

So, my next task is to desolder all the connections!
Then strip the connections. So, I can do a proper soldering job!

Once this is done, I can continue to build the Smit!

Oh, I forgot I also received my wire.
That I use to wire up the Mast!

Hi All,

OK, I've disorder all the LED's on the mast of the Smit!
But, I have a problem with the solder.
I'm using doesn't flow!

Can anyone please recommend what kind of solder to use?
And at what temp to put the soldering iron on?

Cheers, Ed

I adjusted the temp on my soldering station!
And I was able to solder the LED's!

But, Am having trouble seeing what I'm soldering!

So, I ordered an electronic magnifier!

https://bekmart.com/collections/best-sellers/products/best-digital-microscope-lcd-digital-microscope-display-continuous-magnifier

Maybe, then I'll be able to see what I'm soldering!

OK, I've been waiting for my Microscope to arrive!
It just came in the Post!
At first I thought it was to arrive by Fedex!
But, it didn't it came by the Post!

Anyway, It's a pretty descent microscope about 1200 power!
So, now I can continue to work on my Mast of the Smit!
I started to place the wires on the LED's.
But, couldn't see what I was doing!
Blurry eyes, Couldn't make out what I was doing!

So, now with this Microscope.
I'll be able to continue my work!

I think it was a good investment!

Today, I was Skyping with Martin555!

Who motivated me into completing the Smit's Mast!
So, I have used my microscope my solder station.
To solder the final connection to the smit's mast!

I had hoped to control her mast lights.
Independently but the F-14 Controller.
I have won't do what I want it to!

So, I'm going to control her lights.
By using two circuits instead of each light!

The Smit has 6 lights on her mast!
3 forward 3 aft!
I also have to run her port and starboard lights as well!
There are other running lights too!
That have to be controlled!

But, I'll have to get to that at a later date!

Tomorrow, I'll attach the mast to it's support!
And the running light wires to where they have to go to!

I've runout of primer.
So, it's time to order some!
That'll take about a week to arrive!

Oh, I had ordered some micro LED's.
That have the leads already connected to them!

I didn't know that the leads were coated with shellac!
Anyway, I had soldered all the leads.
Not realizing the leads have a coating to prevent them from shorting!
I thought the LED's were bad, Not functioning!
But, Skyping with Martin helped out!
As Martin realized they had to have a coating!

So, I had to unsolder all the leads!
And redo all of them!

I had to scrape the leads to the LED's to solder them!
This worked and now the mast is ready for assembly!
To it support which runs between the funnels!

Thanks for your help, Martin!

Today I completed the mast!
I also glued it to the Funnel support!

The mast on the Smit is very flimsy!
There's basically nothing to glue on to!
I had to add some support to the mast.
To glue onto!

Oh, I have run the wires coming from the LED's.
Thru a hole I drilled on the Funnel Support!
I then push thru all the wires!

Next, I have to run the wires into the Funnels!
So, each Funnel will have 4 wires running thru the Funnel! This includes the ground wire!

I will then run the wires into the Main Cabin!
This is where I'll make all the connections!

The Smits Main Mast came out a bit tilted!
I had nothing to glue onto!

But, Hopefully when I glue down the Funnels.
I can compensate for the Mast being Tilted!

Anyway we'll see how it comes out!

OK, I'm now waiting to receive.
Some Primer I ordered!

See, I usually order from Hornby US.
But, They've been closed due to corona!

So, I had to source from another vendor!

The primer should be here soon!

Now we play the waiting game!

Looks, like I'll tinker some more with my Server!
My other hobby!

So, I had ordered a can of Primer.
Some almost 10 day ago.
From a dealer online!

But, last time I checked.
The order hadn't even been filled yet!

So, I decided to go to the local auto parts store.
There I found some primer!

Now I can continue to work.
On the mast of the Smit!

Then, I can prime after I add some details to her funnels!