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[CalicoJack]

Has anyone tried these transmitters in Model Boats? If so what are they like? How do they work? I've heard the reciever can also transmit back some information to the transmitter such as temperatures or rpm.

Anyone tried them out? ???

[Doc]

BattleShip,
How about a brand or model number?  I'm not exactly sure which 'digital' radio systems you're talking about.
 - 'Doc

[kikkari]

I think he's talking about this kind of thing: Nomadio Sensor two way digital spread spectrum 2.4Ghz system

Even if you don't use the telemetry features the no more waiting for a frequency to come free sounds great!

[CalicoJack]

Thats right kikkari I am only curious to see if anyone has used this type of thing in boats, as far as I can see the model boat side of rc models is still in the "Low Tech" era and has a long way to go if it were to compete with the "High Tech" standards of both rc planes and cars.

So, has anyone tried them out? ???

[Daryl]

Barrie Stevens from SWAMBC , has been an advocate of them for the past few years,  he is allways saying how good they are. But I have yet to see one first hand, or know of anyone who has got one, perhaps an e-mail to him via the swambc web site may bring opinions from someone who has used one.

Daryl

[grasshopper]

If it's the Spektrum system you're asking about - I don't as yet use it in boats, but have started using in my 1/8th scale 'nitro buggy'. If it can be 100% reliable and glitch free in those conditions (club level racing - and I'm not that good - spend a lot of time crashing ) then it must be good!
The only thing that I personally don't like about my system (birthday pressie from the wife) is that it is one of those steerwheel sets, and has more programmable doo dads than I know what to do with....

To turn up, start up and run is brilliant, no waiting for pegs, no fear of interference - and no glitching at all, every servo sits there motionless until I tell it otherwise.
When I get round to it (saving up) I will upgrade everything to 2.4GHz.

[barriew]

Thats right kikkari I am only curious to see if anyone has used this type of thing in boats, as far as I can see the model boat side of rc models is still in the "Low Tech" era and has a long way to go if it were to compete with the "High Tech" standards of both rc planes and cars.

So, has anyone tried them out? ???

I am not sure I understand your point. All model R/C equipment is digital - 27M, 35M, 40M or 2.4G. If you mean 'computer controlled' then all (practically) of the 35M computer transmitters are available in 40M as well. Both Futaba and Hitec do sets with multiple model memories, they even do ones with swappable frequency modules allowing you to use the Tx on either 35M or 40M. You can also now get Tx and Rx which dont need crystals (on 35M and 40M) - you just dial in the frequency you require. As for the 2.4G, my understanding is that because of the UK limit on TX power in this band (not just for R/C), it is unsuitable for aircraft use and only used for cars and boats. If you have the October Model Boats mag, look at the ad on the back cover for the Multiplex Cockpit SX set!
 
Again I understand from what has been written in this forum and elsewhere, that the slight downside with 2.4G Rxs is their short stubby aerial which is not as easy as a bit of wire to disguise on a scale boat.

Barrie

[MCAT]

Just a quick of the piont request  to kikkari   how do you get the graphic across the bottom of your
post.  love it sad I know.

[CalicoJack]

barriew,

I understand fully that you can get the rc radios that do not need crystals working on 27MHz, 35MHz and 40MHz. However I have never heard of one that recieves signals back from the model giving information such as temperature and rpm.

So far these controllers sound great for boats I am not sure I have seen any boats that are too small to fit a "short stubby aerial" and yet big enough to hold batteries, motors, esc, reciever, servo's and probably ballast so I think this is a small consideration given the amount of plus factors.

[kikkari]

Hi Barrie, The transmitter modules have stubby aerials, the receivers commonly use the familiar piece of wire.  The use of the word digital is often confusing, in this case it refers to digital spread spectrum and gives us a range of features as Battleship says these are new features not available to existing 27, 35 and 40Mhz sets. I think it's interesting being able to measure performance and send it back to the shore/pits  

Battleship, I have an interest in telemetry - I'm interested in hearing about what people have done with the telemetry capability too.

Heres a pic of my work in progress adding a 433Mhz telemetry link to my homebrew speedcontroller; at the moment it's just sending throttle position but the codes there to send rpm, current and pwm duty individually for three motors in my Gneisenau.  I can also get the pack voltage, throttle, steering and throttle/steering mix setting as well.  The speed controller is on the right hand board, the bronze coloured square near the curly blue wire is the transmitter.  The stubby aerial on the left hand board is next to the receiver - currently I get around 50meters range which is enough for what I want.  I need to add a RS232 or USB link so I can store the telemetry data on a laptop.   Not sure where I'm going with it, one of those things where the journey is more interesting than the destination perhaps

Hi MCAT, I'll pm you the details!



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[HS93 (RIP)]

kikkari   dont want to hijack this thread can you pm me if you have managed to mix two throttle channels thanks peter

[justboatonic]

These sets will be the future for RC especially in scale helis and planes as they will make glitches and interference a thing of the past. Not certain they would be of much benefit to boats except as has already  been mentioned, in a racing environment.

[boater]

I bought one yesterday.
The instructions are all for aircraft as expected. There are 4 main types of aircraft and up to 8 modes of control for each.
The artical in the current Model Boats makes it sound attractive but it seem quite difficult to make it do some of the control features mentioned.
Comments from other users would be valuable.

[Bridkid]

Hi guys.
A couple of competitors at the 2006 Fast Electric Nationals turned up with this type of radio setup. (Nick Rees and Stephe Harte if I remember correctly) They booked in under 2.4g, turned up at the start line, switched on after everyone else and.......hey presto, perfect and no interference. I'm saving up now.
Cheers,
Ian
 

[corrado]

Hi Battleship,
I'm in Perth Western Australia and I have bought one of those 2.4 Ghz Spectrum systems....not sure if they're for sale in the UK.
The one I have is the 6 channel stick controller and I can tell you they are fantastic!    No more crystals to worry about, just get to the lake..switch it on & put your boat in the water.   Also because they operate at a much higher frequency, ther is NO interference from electric motors therefore no need to fit capacitors or suppressors and last but not least you cant poke anyone in the eye with the aerial, because it's only 8 inches long & folds up.  Best thing in R/C for years.....when these are available in the UK they will sell like hot cakes.