Model Boat Mayhem

Technical, Techniques, Hints, and Tips => Radio Equipment => Topic started by: Paul Swainson on April 06, 2015, 11:25:39 am

Title: mix and match 2.4 ghz receivers with one make of transmitter
Post by: Paul Swainson on April 06, 2015, 11:25:39 am
What are the conditions on using different brands of 2.4 ghz receivers with other makes of transmitters.  I understand that with the 2.4 ghz transmitters you can lock in up to 4 or more in some makes different receivers for our boats.  i.e. one transmitter can run four or more boats.  I have a Saturn and one 6 ch receiver, very difficult to buy  another receiver as they cost nearly as much as a new control unit which comes with a receiver.  So as there are other makes of receivers out there at very low prices, what will mix with what and are there specs to look out for?
Title: Re: mix and match 2.4 ghz receivers with one make of transmitter
Post by: barriew on April 06, 2015, 01:21:45 pm
Its the receiver that locks to a transmitter, not the other way round, so there are no limits to the number of receivers to a transmitter.


Mixing makes is not easy, as they mostly use different techniques for frequency switching. There are two alternatives to the Spektrum receivers, Orange and Lemon. I believe Orange also make Futaba compatible receivers.


I am sure that some of the very cheap sets are also interchangeable as economics says there must be an element of badge engineering at those prices - but I don't have any specifics


Barrie
Title: Re: mix and match 2.4 ghz receivers with one make of transmitter
Post by: Time Bandit on April 06, 2015, 04:18:21 pm
99,9% of Rx/Tx from different brands will not communicate with each other nor bind, despite the "reversed engineering" Rx from OrangeRx or LemonRx.
It´s not only the different techniques of frequency shifting, 2.4gHz Rx/Tx communicate in a "digital" way with each other.
Those data packages sent, are quite complex and if just 1 bit is different, the Rx will not understand what the Tx sends.

So you´ll have to buy either a Rx of the same make as the Tx or you change to an older Spektrum Tx (needs DSM2!) to use the very,very cheap Orange/Lemon  Rx.
Title: Re: mix and match 2.4 ghz receivers with one make of transmitter
Post by: Netleyned on April 06, 2015, 04:41:09 pm
DSMX on Spektrum works with orange DSM2.

Ned
Title: Re: mix and match 2.4 ghz receivers with one make of transmitter
Post by: barriew on April 06, 2015, 06:19:21 pm
DSMX on Spektrum works with orange DSM2.

Ned


......... and Orange DSMx works with Spektrum  DSM2 transmitter


Barrie
Title: Re: mix and match 2.4 ghz receivers with one make of transmitter
Post by: Time Bandit on April 06, 2015, 09:23:26 pm
DSMX on Spektrum works with orange DSM2.

Ned

Nope  <:( not anymore:

I can only speak for german Spektrum Tx, no idea if transmitters sold in the UK still transmit in DSM2 if they are labeled as DSMX. The older transmitters were downward compatible and still could bind to a DSM2 Rx.

BUT, all newer Spektrum Tx do not transmit DSM2 anymore (first series of the new "black" Dx6 seems not affected), since the frequency hopping method in just 2 channels is forbidden since this year (within the EU).
These Tx do not work with the very cheap $6 DSM2 OrangeRx (R610, R615) receivers anymore. You´ll need to buy the DSMX compatible Rx (which are still pretty cheap  :D but at least twice the price)
Title: Re: mix and match 2.4 ghz receivers with one make of transmitter
Post by: radiojoe on April 06, 2015, 11:46:51 pm
Paul Cornwallmodelboats have Saturn 6 receivers in stock again £19.98 considering the cost of some other makes it's a no brainer.  %%
Title: Re: mix and match 2.4 ghz receivers with one make of transmitter
Post by: Paul Swainson on April 07, 2015, 12:05:18 pm
Thanks guys for the help and advise.  The meth that they work with all units has just been confirmed.  So will have get myself another receiver of the same make and position it so I move from one aircraft carrier to the other. %)