another consideration is where are you going to sail;?

if you go in summer on a sunday afternoon, its a drag waiting for a spare 40 or 27 meg frequency if yours is in use. Although a peg board is supposed to be in operation, over the last 2 years I have only seen one, and very few people actually fly the correct colour pennant to alert other users what channels are in use. Club members at certain lakes believe they own the water, and are very reluctant to give up the frequency, and worse still, so many times I have seen people turn on transmitters without checking what frequencies are in use , for these reasons I switched to budget 2.4, also avoiding clashes with kids playing with shop boiught cars and boats, and anyone else who might be in the vicinity with anotherr rc model

This may help ,
How does the DUPLEX 2,4 GHz system work?

After switching on the transmitter and the receiver, the transmitter automatically acknowledges the receiver, and then both select free channels in the 2.4GHz band. The DUPLEX system then collects data on each channel selected for transmission integrity in relation to signal intensity, number of errors corrected, aerial position etc. if any channel is considered to be unfit for use, the channel is then changed to a new one by the DUPLEX system (and then channel hops as necessary). The DUPLEX system checks channel before starting transmit to minimise potential clashes with other transmitters (or with other systems used on the 2.4GHz band), which allows common operation of more transmitters simultaneously.
this may help as well
http://www.rcmodelreviews.com/spreadspectrum01.shtml


Peter

thanks for the input...


looks like I will be going down the 2.4gig route despite the shortcomings...

"it's the future!" for now! 😉

dbn

In case anyone thinks 2.4Ghz is totally infallible it should be noted that the frequency band is shared with other users. Specifically model planes, helicopters and cars. The band allows for 80 spot frequencies but as most sets use two frequecies this might leave just 40 available. On any other band users know what frequency they are using and can check that it is free before switching on. With 2.4 Ghz the transmitter ( we are told) selects a free channel within clear visual range of the transmitter. Fine if you are away from other users but not so good in public places. The low cost of equipment is good to see but puts the technology in the mass toy market and 40 channels may not be enough to meet demand. I have both cheap and dear 2.4Ghz sets. I am still evaluating the cheap set and really need to have a busy day down at the lake to see how it copes. Personally I find 2.4Ghz excellent and do hope it doesn't become overwhelmed.
Dave

A few years ago I decided it was time for a nice new set as all mine where only two or three channel sets, I bought a FF9 as I needed a few spare channels and wanted to be able to mix, about a month later the first info on the new 2.4 ghz radio's started to show c*&% I thought I was going ton go down the module route but disliked the ant on the back. I saw the JetI range that also enables feed back and went that way so I had a nice TX and a lot of extra funcions on 2.4ghz, I wanted a back up set and so I bought one of the cheap tx modals and receivers from R2 Hobbies it cost £17.50 with receiver and have fitted it in one of my 17 year old sets its a twin ant set so are better at rejection this now works fine a receiver the size of a postage stamp nice long ant so you can feed them out of the boat if you feel the need (only the last 1" is the actual ant) I would go 2.4 ghz without a second thought after seeing some of the things that have happened locally (to Paul) when we have been sailing, even the very cheap sets work fine so its up to what gizmo's you want the dearer sets tent to have expensive receivers so bear that in mind hear is a picture of a £6 2.4GHZ receiver

I would really forget about 27 and 40mhz, particularly if you intend sailing with a club or on a public lake which could have other users in the vicinity (27 and 40 are also used by rc cars)
I have a 2.4 set, comes with a two part receiver, and is 6 channel, spare receivers can be bought for a tenner and takes seconds to bind to your transmitter, meaning all boats can be run with 1 tx, no worrying about crystals etc

http://www.r2hobbies.com//proddetail.php?prod=rcps61206_61411

for the money, it really cant be beaten, amazes me that peeps are still paying more than this for 2nd hand 27mhz units and have to wait for available frequencies that are generally hogged by selfish individuals (sorry, on my soapbox!) 😀

Hi
27MHz can get quite crowded. 40MHz is better and has more available frequencies from which to choose. The latest is 2.4GHz which offers crystal free operation with the transmitter selecting a spare channel on switch on. Prices are similar across all bands but as with most things the more you pay the more reliable the equipment. Futaba and JR Spectrum are at the top of the range but I am testing a Planet set ( 5 channel tr 6 Ch Rec'r) which cost A£40, no servos, batteries. Says range good for 100 meters and I have tested without problem. However it will be prone to interference as it only uses one channel, dearer set use two channels ( two aerials on receiver) so if there is interference on one channel the other will continue to provide a signal. For an independent review of some of the systems available please visit http://www.rcmodelreviews.com/spreadspectrumtests.shtml

hello again,

first question...


what frequency radio is "preferred" for model boating?

are folk still using 27mhz and 40mhz?

I will be buying a set soon

thanks

David