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[badbunny]

Hi, after spending the last hour trying to work out what Mode 1 and Mode 2 transmitters are, I now understand that they have the different throttle/rudder/aileron/elevator controls split between the left and right hand stick axes. But I still don't understand what this means for a boater - isn't a channel just a channel?  Any help understanding this would be much appreciated (I'm looking at moving forward from my trusty 27 green to a new spangly 2.4!) !

Thanks,
Pete.

[andyn]

It's purely a matter of personal taste, and is mainly for the us heli guys. Quite a few prefer having the collective on their right thumb, especially people who are right handed.

As for boats, it's purely a suit yourself thing.

Andy

[DickyD]

Mode 2 is throttle on the left.

Mode 1 is throttle on the right.

It is normal in the boating world to work with Mode 2.

No idea why but it seems easier that way.

[badbunny]

Hi, sorry if I am being a bit dim! On these transmitters it looks like both sticks can move in x and y directions. So can't I just plug whichever stick y axis channel to the ESC ?  I don't know why the transmitter needs to come setup for me using that channel for throttle as I can't visualise any difference in the way it would behave.  Which presumably means I am missing something bleeping obvious! 

Pete.

[andyn]

Usually, the throttle side has a ratchet whereas the elevator side has a spring. Also with computer radios the various programming in the set knows which stick does what.

[DickyD]

Hi, sorry if I am being a bit dim! On these transmitters it looks like both sticks can move in x and y directions. So can't I just plug whichever stick y axis channel to the ESC ?  I don't know why the transmitter needs to come setup for me using that channel for throttle as I can't visualise any difference in the way it would behave.  Which presumably means I am missing something bleeping obvious! 

Pete.

Planet 5 mode 2 has ratchet control on left and swivel control on right. Other way round on mode 1.

Dont worry about it, it doesnt really matter unless you are used to one mode and then you borrow someone elses boat on a different mode. Accident waiting to happen.

[badbunny]

Hi, thanks for the info so far!  My 2 channel has springs on both sticks.  Do all of these 4+ channels come with a ratchet rather than spring on the throttle stick?  Can that be changed?  When you say ratchet, I'm visualising a ratchet and pall mechanism that can move in one direction only without being released? Or is it more a click-stop resistance so the stick stays where it is? Sorry I've not used an unsprung stick before - feel quite embarassed asking these probably very obvious questions!

Also I've seen one of the sets I'm interested in advertised as Mode 2 or Mode 2 combo? Any idea what the "combo" means - I couldn't see any differences between their descriptions?

Pete.

[JB]

'Combo' means you just get the TX and RX...no servos included.

JB.

[dondecap]

hi mate.
yes .................
more a click-stop resistance so the stick stays where it is. this is for aircraft, ..........the 'throttle slide' is for gas/petrol engines ............to set the tick over.
electric it is kept either at bottom or middle depending where neutral is.
the two channel ones with both sticks 'sprung' are set up for cars/boats where down throttle is reverse up throttle is forward.
 there by when you release the stick it returns too 'neutral /brake' .
modes.
most of europe us mode 2 usa us mode 1, there are 4 modes the other 2 are seldom seen.
a short discussion ......................
http://www.gibbsguides.com/article03-BG-part05-which-mode.htm

regards
don

[Martin (Admin)]

Also see:  http://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=21785.msg213277#msg213277

[dodgy geezer]

Hi, after spending the last hour trying to work out what Mode 1 and Mode 2 transmitters are, I now understand that they have the different throttle/rudder/aileron/elevator controls split between the left and right hand stick axes. But I still don't understand what this means for a boater - isn't a channel just a channel?  Any help understanding this would be much appreciated (I'm looking at moving forward from my trusty 27 green to a new spangly 2.4!) !

Thanks,
Pete.

Yes. A channel is just a channel, and you can connect anything up to anything you want to. So long as you are the only one to use that Tx/Rx combo it will be fine.

The mode issue arose in the 1970s amongst flyers, when training started to become common at clubs. Modelers in the US generally adopted one configuration, while those in Europe generally adopted another. And if you were learning to fly, or passing your transmitter to fellow modelers to have a go, having ailerons and rudder in unfamiliar positions would make for a very short flight!

For boaters the issue is far less important. I suspect we generally use a standard 4-channel radio in Mode 2, with the rudder on the right stick and the throttle on the left. IIRC, this is the US flying standard. Modes only make sense with a 2-stick 4-channel controller anyway, and quite often boats and cars are controlled with a pistol-grip Tx which only has one (sensible!) way of connecting the functions.

Does anyone use a 4-stick with rudder and throttle on the same stick? Perhaps a boater/flyer might? But I suspect it would only be an issue if you sailed fast racers and often passed your controller to your mates....

[andyn]

Does anyone use a 4-stick with rudder and throttle on the same stick? Perhaps a boater/flyer might? But I suspect it would only be an issue if you sailed fast racers and often passed your controller to your mates....

I fly mode 2, but quite a few of my models have the throttle on the right as well as the rudder, and our tug has the throttle on both sticks for each side of the boat.

As I said, with boats its really just down to personal taste really...

[badbunny]

Hi, thanks for all the info! 
I'm clear about what the different options are now.

Thanks,
Pete.

[barriew]

Does anyone use a 4-stick with rudder and throttle on the same stick? Perhaps a boater/flyer might? But I suspect it would only be an issue if you sailed fast racers and often passed your controller to your mates....

Yes I do   I've done this since I moved up to a 4 channel from a basic 2 channel set. It find it easier this way, but that's my preference. One hand to do the controlling, one to hold the Tx safely

I did briefly have the throttle on the left non-return stick when I had a forward only brushless ESC - I couldn't get it to work on a centre neutral stick. Didn't last long as I replaced the ESC with a 'proper' marine one.

Barrie

[ACTion]

Not quite all the info, I'm afraid....... Many of the spangly new sets have a failsafe on the throttle. This will move a servo (or speed controller)  which is connected to that channel to a programmable position in the event of signal loss. All of the other channels return to neutral. This allows an aero flyer or IC boater to set the throttle failsafe position to "slow" or "dead stop" engine. A scale electric-powered workboat, however, would best be set with throttle failsafe at the neutral (stop) position i.e. halfway, which would actually correspond to half-throttle on an IC model!
If you want to use a Mode 1 Tx in Mode 2 simply by adding a spring to the LH stick and plugging the throttle into that channel, then the failsafe will not work on the "new" throttle - it will remain on the channel controlled by the RH stick. Some transmitters allow you to reprogram ("reallocate")  the throttle and failsafe to the LH stick, and others have an internal switch which does the same - but DO CHECK first.
Sorry for muddying the waters for you, but forewarned is forearmed etc.
Dave M

[dondecap]

hi guys,
how do you manage then when setting up a new boat?
the esc is looking for a 'throttle channel'....ie the makers designated one.......... or it won't arm unless it see's this channel at '0'.
?????
I use a mode 2,   2.4gig cheap ex heli tx and the 'designated' throttle channel.  although I have now sprung loaded it as a 'center neutral' for reverse option as well.
my rudder is on the old ail channel  :)  right stick
regards
don

[Patrick Henry]

What about pistol grip tx's?

[Martin (Admin)]

Hi Don,

It all depends on the make and design of each component.

 Most people will tend to stick with same make Tx & Rx and chose a ESC to suite the model.
 As FLJ (ACTion) says some of the cheaper 2.4GHz don't have the refinement of the 'big brand' radio...
  ....sometimes it just the documentation is totally useless and featuresare discovered and discussed on the forums,
      eg. the fail safe on the Giant Cod & Planet 5. Some times Rx & ESC are just incomparable as some manufactures
       have their own interpretations of the agreed specifications.