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[AZFabio]

I'm thinking of purchasing this transmitter and receiver to use on my next boat, all the info I read on this unit refers to usage on r/c planes.  I'm fairly new at this, but was wondering if it could be used for r/c boats?

[DieselDo]

Yes, we all do.
The market for Model Boats is considerably smaller than for aircraft so the Radio sets are almost entirely produced for Aircraft.

Bob

[barriew]

There is now a marine version of the Spektrum receiver. Waterproofed and with longer aerials I believe. You are unlikely to find it included in a set, but can buy it separately if you wish. I use the standard AR500 rx in two of my boats with no problems.

Barrie

[AZFabio]

Thanks, I knew I would get my answer posting on the forum.  Thanks for the info and all the help I received from previous questions.
Fabio

[Number 6]

Hi there, I've been using a DX5 and DX6e with no problems, recommended. Dave. 

[Yarpie]

What is the range "on the water" for this transmitter?

I'm looking at a requirement of 250 yards maximum. Within or well within?

Cheers in anticipation.

[exvtop]

What is the range "on the water" for this transmitter?

I find at least 300yds which is about as far as I can tell what the boat is doing.
Probably the most important range factor is the receiver aerial position.
I use AR500 receivers and always make sure that the longer of the two aerials is above deck (in a plastic tube).

Mike

[Yarpie]

Thanks Mike.

[Number 6]

Our lake is about 500 yards wide and have had no problem going all way across and back from our hardstanding. Like has been said though, try keep receiver or wires at least above the water line, usually try place mine on inside of the coming using velcro pads, Dave. :)

[Yarpie]

Thanks Dave. I will be mindful of your advice regarding the positioning of the aerials as we appear to have a 40 MHz 'blind spot' on our boating lake. Not that it will interfere with 2.4 MHz but it is something that locally we are all aware of anyway.

Can the AR500 RX aerials be extended successfully or is it best not to modify?

[Number 6]

Not sure if you can modify the aerials, I wouldn't mess with them myself, just keep them high up. We've got a dead area on our lake too if on 40mhz, strange really, don't know why. That's why lot of our members gone to 2.4 gear, never had a problem with it since switching over to that. Dave. 

[barriew]

Thanks Dave. I will be mindful of your advice regarding the positioning of the aerials as we appear to have a 40 MHz 'blind spot' on our boating lake. Not that it will interfere with 2.4 MHz but it is something that locally we are all aware of anyway.

Can the AR500 RX aerials be extended successfully or is it best not to modify?

No you cannot modify the aerials. If you think you will have a problem then buy Futaba. You can get extra long aerials for their 2.4Ghz receivers. Having said that I have no problem with any of my 2.4 Ghz equipment. including Spektum AR50. I just try to have the aerial above the water line, but not outside. I think it only needs to be 'outside' if you have a metal hull or superstructure.

Barrie

[Circlip]

we appear to have a 40 MHz 'blind spot' on our boating lake

  Slight problem with any radio reception equipment is that if the Aerial length is compromised, so is the reception and that don't matter what frequency you're on.

  Toy boats and cars suffer greater than toy aircraft in the respect that the Aircraft kiddies have long enough containers so that the Aerial length is not a problem and can pick up a signal easier than a ground object cos the ground isn't masking some of the signal. (Aircraft work in three dimensions).

  Sadly, boats and cars of conventional sizes look a bit daft with about 700mm (2 and a narf foot) stuck out the top of them VERTICALLY (to get best results) so this is where the "Problems" emanate from and these are only in the moggy cycle area. When you get into Googlies, three dimensional controlled boats fall foul (Subs).

  Aerials are designed to to work as part of a tuned circuit, change the lengths at either end at your own peril. In Moggy cycle sizes, you may coil up the "Spare" length, but don't cut it off or lengthen it from the original supplied size.

  Regards  Ian.

[Yarpie]

Thanks for your cautionary and informative replies Dave, Barrie and Ian.

I'm glad that I posed the question because not only I shall benefit from your excellent advice.  This is precisely why websites such as this are set up, to provide logical and sensible answers to all levels of questions.

Thanks.

[wideawake]

Thanks Dave. I will be mindful of your advice regarding the positioning of the aerials as we appear to have a 40 MHz 'blind spot' on our boating lake. Not that it will interfere with 2.4 MHz but it is something that locally we are all aware of anyway.

Can the AR500 RX aerials be extended successfully or is it best not to modify?

No no no!   Under no circumstances modify the aerials.   The actual aerial is the short bit; in the xase of the other aerial most of it is simply coax feeder.   Nipping an inch or two off a 40MHz aerial won't matter but the equivalent on a 2.4GHz one would probably be 1/16th inch maybe.    AsI say the main point to note is that both aerials are only an inch or so long.

HTH

Guy

[Yarpie]

Thanks wideawake.

Hopefully your response, and those of other contributers will benefit other modellers too.

2.4 GHz is new to me (and no doubt others too) but I'm about to venture into the 21st century with its new fangled electronic wizardry.

One other hing that I've learned is that the 'jointed' TX aerial is prone to damage and that a 'mod' is about that can protect it. Just a simple piece of well fitting plastic tubing can protect it from inadvertant breakage.

[Yarpie]

OK guys, after all your advice, I've bought a DX5e set.

I promise I'll be good and not tinker with the aerials!

This will be for my little HMS RODNEY (which is currently undergoing a winter refit). Attached is an image of her last winter, in need of a lot of TLC.

Have I bored you yet with pictures of her refit? Or would all you BISMARCK builders prefer not to see images of her nemesis?

[AZFabio]

I purchased a dx5e, went to the hobby store to pick it up and luckily brought my motor and servo with me.  I let them hook it up and bond the units as I never used a 2.4 unit before.  So glad I did, it took over an hour of trying, eliminating motor, battery, servo, trying other spektrom receivers.  Finally their tech guy said the unit I purchased was bad.  So they had a dx3e unit, tried it, it worked right off, so I bought it instead.  The dx5 was overkill for my boat anyway.  Thanks to all for the info.  Good sailing.
Fabio

[brianB6]

Yes please Yarpie
Start another topic on her resurrection

[bulldog1966]

hi i run a power boat with dx5 and have no problem with it you just have to remember to switch receiver off first then trans not in portant though you can retune when switched back on any way by holding switch at top when you hear bleap its tune to use

[triumphjon]

but isnt it common practise to always turn on the transmitter first but when switching off always the receiver first !

[Dekan]

but isnt it common practise to always turn on the transmitter first but when switching off always the receiver first !

This best practice for all radio...some speed controller have trouble arming if the rx is turned on first...

[AZFabio]

Hello, I haven't responded in a while, just a follow up.  After all my problems with the controller, motor and server it turned out that my battery was the problem.  I purchased a traxxas charger, fully charged the battery and that seemed to have been the problem.
Fabio