Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length.

[PMK]

Three or four years ago, right here on this very forum, was a somewhat heated debate about your so-called "new blood". The argument being divided between those wanting to encourage younger members, but bemoaning the fact that most kids these days are more into computers and suchlike, while on the other end, some members countering that there really should be no need to fret about it on account that, if any kid is indeed interested in the hobby, then it follows that he or she will find their own way in their own time anyhow.
I mean, YOU did, right?
Approximately six months later, those who were arguing on the "new blood" fence, were suddenly changing their tune when it turned out that the new blood were causing all sorts of grief at their ponds.
I suppose you could say it was funny, but it didn't half reek of hypocrisy.
So it seems nothing has changed in that particular area, then.

[J.beazley]

Back to the topic in question. 

I would advise clicking on some of the traders at the top of the forum board and have a look at what you can afford.

A simple 4 channel set-up is more then enough to control a simple model with each channel working different things for example:
Speed controller for motor, rudder servo, sound and lights. now there is a endless list of things you can control with each channel but then main 2 are servo control and speed control.

Having a look at different traders on the forum will give you a idea of whats out there and what you desire from a radio set.

Jay

[Dueller]

Octo your just one o them young uns 

[Martin (Admin)]

Yes, there are those of a younger persuasion that expect instant gratification.
Most of us older farts did it the old fashioned way, bought what we were told to buy in the model shop, learnt that was a mistake and
did a bit more reading up before purchasing anything more. We all had (and still do) piles & piles of magazines and books that we poured over, gleaning techniques, ideas and mainly how to make things ourselves ... and I'm only talking 20 years ago.


But we can't turn back time.... so lets collate our wisdom and generate the Mayhem beginners guide to radio controlled model boating.

What your pearls of wisdom?

I'll start:

1. What type of boat do you like want to build, play with, buy?
2. What's you budget in time and Money?
3. Go and speak to your local model boat club if there is one nearby or ask on here.

( BTW - http://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/Technical.htm )
(( I'll split this tops as and when required. ))

[Circlip]

To go back to Octos original question, if you want to get your feet "wet", a two channel 27moggy Am or 40 moggy FM system will both work for simple requirements. These units can be found on fleebay quite cheaply and will give you the satisfaction to go and have a play virtually whenever you want.

 If at some future point in time you want to go down the multi-function route for all singing and dancing whatever, then is the time to decide whether you want to spend vast amounts of cash to persue the hobby.

  Although I've a multi-function FM system and a multi AM system, I STILL get a buzz out of a Sanwa Mini-Two.

  Regards  Ian.

[octo]

I would like to clear up a few points that my simple question has brought to the forefront.

Firstly I stated I was a novice to radio controlled systems, this does not mean however that I not able to or willing to take this further.   I have read several books on the subject but found the literature left me wanting more.  I then posted my questions on the forum as I believed that like minded individuals would be a greater source of knowledge. I was at no time being sarcastic but did feel that the comments from certain parties were confrontational to say the least. 

In my opinion anyone wishing to try a new hobby should be allowed to do so without fear of prejudice from other more experienced individuals.

I leave youwith a final quote "Tell me and I will forget, show me and I may remember< involve me and I will understand".

Finally to all the bloggers who offered help and encouragement, many thanks.

Tony

[PMK]

You're very welcome.

[vintagent]

An intelligent, articulate and steadying response, Octo.
I do hope you will continue with the hobby and have not been put off by those comments to which you refer.
I know little of R/C or electrics (a minefield it seems to me), but modelmaking per se is my forte and I am no believer in the "arts and mysteries" hogwash of time served this or that, so ask away, by PM if necessary andIi will do my best to answer you.  I, at least am prepared to put my pen where my mouth is.

Regards,
Vintagent

[Dueller]

Refering to my last post. Many people have refered to youth, may i point you to Octo's profile, especially Age  , i hope you take no offence Octo.

[vintagent]

Octo's response was certainly that of, typically, an older gent.  Which goes to show how misinterpretation of the mighty written word can be a danger for all of us.

BTW, is it too simplistic to ask genuinely if anyone has a drawing of a displacement lubricator suitable for a V twin double acting oscillator of 5/8" stroke and 1/2" bore?  And where best to place it (no, Missus, behave!)
Thankyou. As ever, I know the principle, but not the detail.

Regards,
Vintagent

[octo]

to vintagent ; none taken young man. yours tony.

[vintagent]

Hoho, I ain't heard that since I helped an old lady across the road..."Let go of me, young man", she said, "I'm on my side already!!"

I always get it wrong

Vintagent

[dodgy geezer]

"To pmx !;- you will be."


As DG has so rightly pointed out, most everything is so dumbed-down nowadays that you don't need to know anything at all about frequency-modulated carriers, or amplititude-modulated carriers, or indeed anything about crystals in order to create mayhem among fellow enthusiast....

Not too sure that I said everything was dumbed down nowadays. What I tried to say was that different times require different types of knowledge. It was very appropriate to worry about a circuit going off-tune then, not so much now. I suspect that with 2.4Ghz we are leaving the era of worrying about frequencies and frame-rates altogether...

Clarke's first law applies here, as everywhere.

In the meantime, I hope Octo is picking up some useful info. If he thinks this board is prickly, I hope he never has to ask a simple question on a Linux forum!  At least he has learned that the answer to the question "What R/C set do I need?" is "What do you want to do?"....

[PMK]

You're obviously a good man, DG. A thinker.
I'm finding myself nodding my head in agreement with what you're saying (the Linux thing certainly strikes a chord). You've a bit like FLJ: got a nifty way of way of saying things but w/o the usual alienation.
Nice one.

Mr Octo, are you ear-wigging?
Let's start again, can we?
I'm usually always respectful of my elders. Had no idea you were 68yrs (I thought you were some spotty teenager). On reflection, maybe I was a tad harsh. Would you accept my apology for being a bit of a twot?
You're still here, so that's a good thing. Maybe after this little fiasco you'll now be ready for anything.

[octo]

to PMK, i do accept your apology  and it has certainly opened my eyes to what can be said on forums.
But the bottom line is you all know more than i do about the subject of R/C systems. thats why i joined
this excellent forum, My forte is building so please under stand my naievete as ive said elsewhere all comments
are welcome as long as they are constructional . thanks to every one. yours tony.

[Shipmate60]

Tony,
Unfortunately it is only after a little while that you get to know a subject just enough to be able to ask the right questions to get the answer(s) you are looking for.

We could rewind and start again with all the details you have of your boat and what you want it to do?

Bob

[vintagent]

So, Tony, what do you build?
I find all the technology interesting, but confusing around electrics especially as I have always been a static modeller only recently come again to R/C from a 34 year break!

Regards,
Vintagent

[octo]

right shipmates here we go: i plan to build a 12th scale fishing boat based on a "COBLE" , i have a orion mouldings
hull , the deck and wheel house are being scratchbuilt  from some  thing way back in my minds eye,or as i would like
my fishing boat to look like ,if i had a full scale one that is.  yours tony.

[vintagent]

Ah, the queen of scales.  I would have thought, that unless you want lights, etc. a two function set would do, so you could get away with real cheapo Acoms, etc. 
Depends what you MIGHT want to do next.  Perhaps a four function set is always a good idea just in case.

In my experience so far of coming back to R/C, Tony, it's all the complicated availabilities or otherwise of motors, batteries and ESCs that will have your head spinning.  Mine is, constantly!

Anybody else's two-pennorth??

Regards,
Vintagent

[Shipmate60]

If you are only looking to use a motor and rudder, the most basic 2 channel radio set will be fine.
Why there is such a difference of opinion is about the pricing and type of radio sets.
2.4 GHz has recently been introduced and there are 2 distinct types.

But as an indication of prices!!!

Second hand 27 or 40 Mhz 2 channel about £10-00.
Second hand 6 channel set about £50-80.
New 4 - 6 Channel 40 Mhz about £150

2.4 Gig from 2 suppliers a 4 channel set brand new £30-50.

A recognised "quality" manufacturer for 6 channel 2.4 Gig set £150- 220

So as you can see there is such a wide variation now so extremely difficult to say what is the "best" for you.

Bob

[DickyD]

Flavour of the month at our club appears to be PLANET 5 2.4GHz Combo Set 5 Channel

A five channel Tx and a six channel Rx for  £45.95

http://www.cornwallmodelboats.co.uk/acatalog/planet-5-rc-systems.html

[Shipmate60]

Too expensive for me.
I use the Giant Cod one at £27 including a receiver.

http://www.giantcod.co.uk/gianitcod-24ghz-4channel-mode2-transmitter-p-403779.html

I have 2 transmitters and 5 receivers so far!!!!

Bob

[octo]

OH! "xxxxx", I was leaning to wards the Planet 5, when Shipmate60
put his tupenth worth in with the Giantcod . this is what we want, YIppee. yours Tony

[dodgy geezer]

OH! "xxxxx", I was leaning to wards the Planet 5, when Shipmate60
put his tupenth worth in with the Giantcod . this is what we want, YIppee. yours Tony

I have a couple of Giant Cod sets. They work fine, and I'm very happy with them, but you should be aware of a few things...

GC are a small shipper - near enough one man. He goes across to China, imports kit and sells it here. So you get Chinese prices with UK availability. It's worth browsing his site for prices...!

He cuts his prices to the bone, so you will usually get a very good deal. The down side is that he can't offer all-encompassing guarantees, change-it-if-you-don't-like-it, and the other sorts of service that the higher priced shops do. He deals fair - I have had no problem with him changing things which were not what I asked for - but he does want to make you aware up-front that he is not in the business of providing lots of unpaid help. He expects to sell things at very good prices to people who know what they're buying...

The cheap T4U is interesting - I've never seen an R/C at that low a price! As I said, I have two and they work great. The trim is not great, however - unimpressive aluminium with holes cut in it so you can poke the servo reverser switches on the main board...

The radio actually has a mode switch and a mixer switch as extras - not advertised, but useful additions. The sticks on my sets have a high-quality feel - but the last 10 degrees of stick throw does not work the servo. See the forum for instructions on how to add a 1k resistor and get the full throw out of it.

The forum also contains instructions on how to add an extra channel - just add a switch! In fact the GC forums provide all the help that the supplier would normally...

So, the T4U is a really cheap radio control, built down to an incredibly low price. It works well, but you may have niggles about trim and servo throw. This can be overcome if you are happy to get your hands dirty and solder a resistor in. If appearance is very important and you don't want to fiddle with a soldering iron then you might be happier with a Planet....   

[octo]

Thanks for that DG, its like the old expression "ya pays ya money" thanks again, Tony