Topic: is my boat flying? (Read 10174 times)

sunnybob · « **on:** April 19, 2008, 09:19:22 pm »

Now bear in mind I am a COMPLETE novice with R/c gear, ok?

I bought a cheap T/X just to get this boat going. Its running on number 73 crystal. I know, I know, (NOW) thats a plane frequency.

I shall be very carefull when testing the boat that there are no other r/c models of any description in the area when i use it.
So, now I get to the question,

can I just buy a pair of boat frequency crystals? and if so, where from and how much?
Ta, (again)

Shipmate60 · « **Reply #1 on:** April 19, 2008, 09:32:02 pm »

No, unfortunately you will need another Radio Set.
27, 40 or 2.4 Hz
Plenty of cheap sets on Eba or a 6 channel set for under £30 under "anyone heard of these" thread.

Bob

Martin (Admin) · « **Reply #2 on:** April 19, 2008, 09:33:00 pm »

The radio is fixed on 35MHz and 73 refers to a particular frequency within the 35MHz range (35.130MHz )

Sorry but the radio is fixed on 35MHz and can be changed for 27MHZ or 40MHZ or even the 2.4GHz - the legal boat frequencies in GB.

How much did you pay for the radio?

Martin

DickyD · « **Reply #3 on:** April 19, 2008, 09:34:01 pm »

If your crystals are 73 then your Tx and Rx is on the 35MHz frequency
For Boats they need to be on the 27 or 40MHz so they will need renewing.
If you are feeling really rich you could buy yourself a 2.4GHz band set and then you wont have to worry about crystals.

Gonna have to learn to type quicker.

sunnybob · « **Reply #4 on:** April 19, 2008, 09:42:36 pm »

why did I KNOW this was going to cost me money? :'( :'( :'(

Like I said, I am a know nothing, in my ignorance I bought the cheapest T/X ebay could offer (£17 to my door, with a servo as well)

I've since learnt quite a bit thanks to you lot, and I now know that this kit is old, and I dont think its unused, either >:(

I've tried really hard to keep this budget low, I knew that just like all budgets, i was going to exceed it, but at this rate, I'm going to go over by 50%. "xxxxx"! :'( :'(

But the boat is looking good, and its the culmination of a 50 year project, so I cant complain (too loudly)

J.beazley · « **Reply #5 on:** April 19, 2008, 09:57:14 pm »

I think i can safely say that most of us on Mayhem have at some point got a boat new or second hand and thought that it only needs a few quid spent on it but have all gone overboard and spent more then we needed ::)

Its all worth it in the end trust me

Try Howes models in the traders section cheap deals on radio sets, i for one a happy customer.

Jay

sunnybob · « **Reply #6 on:** April 19, 2008, 10:03:12 pm »

Thats strange you should mention howes, I've just been ebay surfing and came up with theirs as below.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/acoms-40mhz-2ch-set-for-radio-control-cars-and-boats_W0QQitemZ380018714021QQihZ025QQcategoryZ34063QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742.m153.l1262

So this time, I'm going to ask the question BEFORE I buy.
Is this what I need? I mean ALL that I need? and is this a good make at a good price?

Or have any of you got anything better and cheaper to sell?

Thanks Bob

Stavros · « **Reply #7 on:** April 19, 2008, 10:09:17 pm »

Good set nothing at all wrong with that I have got one myself

Stavros

Colin Bishop · « **Reply #8 on:** April 19, 2008, 10:28:03 pm »

You need to think about what control you need. If you want the simplest setup then you will need a 2 channel TX, a two channel RX a servo for the rudder and a speed control for the motors. The Acoms set you have mentioned comes with two servos which is not what you want.

If you want independent control of the motors it gets a bit more complicated. Have a look at FullLeatherJacket's guide here: http://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/

Colin

DickyD · « **Reply #9 on:** April 19, 2008, 10:46:15 pm »

He only needs the Tx and Rx Colin he has the rest. Dont think he will find cheaper even if he ends up with two spare servos.

sunnybob · « **Reply #10 on:** April 19, 2008, 10:48:01 pm »

Colin, the overriding factor here is price.

I want the cheapest that will power and steer the boat.

If there is a spare servo for a future unspecified use, thats fine, but the price here and now is what counts. :-\

I have one esc controlling 2 motors, and one rudder servo at present so a 2 channel will do, any more will be abonus as long as I dont pay extra for them

.

I may buy that acoms on monday, if nothing else is offered up

bob

Colin Bishop · « **Reply #11 on:** April 19, 2008, 11:03:02 pm »

Well, if you already have a servo and ESC then why not just buy the TX and RX off Howes. They are advertising Acoms TXs for £5 and an RX for £10 in the current issue of Model Boats. That's half the price you were looking at!

Colin

sunnybob · « **Reply #12 on:** April 19, 2008, 11:09:44 pm »

remember I started this with "I know nothing"?

I have no idea what I need or can buy.

So youre saying i can buy a complete T/x for a fiver? does that come with battery?

remember, I really do know nothing :)
Bob

sunnybob · « **Reply #13 on:** April 19, 2008, 11:26:31 pm »

After surfing the howes site, I'm now even more confused and I really need some one to spell out the total list of things that I need.

The site lists receivers at a tenner, but then list crystals for a tenner. HUH?

Does the receiver come with a crystal? or not. Do i have to buy a T/X, a R/X, ANd a set of crystals?

As I already have the esc and rudder servo, can someone oblige and tell me EXACTLY what i need to get the boat running legally?

Thanks very much,
Bob

Colin Bishop · « **Reply #14 on:** April 19, 2008, 11:35:39 pm »

No battery, the TX probably has a battery holder to accept AA cells, the TX won't. Neither would the TX/RX setup you were originally looking at. It isn't clear whether crystals are included for either option, probably not but you would have to ask.

Your best bet would be to talk to Howes, tell them what you want to do and get them to quote you the cheapest option. You also need an assurance that your existing servo and ESC will plug straight into the RX - they probably will but you can't be 100% certain.

You also need to decide whether you want to use rechargeable batteries or dry cells. Howes do both TX and RX rechargeable sealed battery packs for around £6 each depending on capacity, then you will need a suitable dual voltage charger. An alternative would be to go for the dry cell battery box option and use rechargeable MiMH AA cells ( you'll need 12 altogether) in which case you will have to take them out of the battery boxes and charge them 4 at a time in a bog standard wall charger. These are all cheapo options which will be a bit inconvenient in practice.

I appreciate that you don't know anything about this but you will have to master the rudiments if you want to get the boat up and running. Don't be put off, it isn't rocket science!

Colin

malcolmfrary · « **Reply #15 on:** April 20, 2008, 11:52:30 am »

The Acoms, Futaba and Hitec TXs that I have have all had a moulded-in tray for AA cells - a pre-made pack just wouldn't fit.
At the prices Howes quotes I would be amazed if crystals were included, so they will be an "extra".
The original outfit from ebay may have had a battery harness (battery holder, switch, plug and wiring) for the RX.
If the servo is vaguely modern, with three wires, it will be compatible with any modern RX, even it it needs a few bits of the plug moulding sanding back as all manufacturers want to lock you in to their brand. As long as the wires go "black, red, white" and the black, when plugged in, is nearest the outside edge of the RX case, no problems. Sometimes brown is used instead of black, and yellow instead of white.
If your ESC has a label saying "BEC" you probably wont need a RX battery, it will derive the RX and servo supply from the main battery.

sunnybob · « **Reply #16 on:** April 20, 2008, 04:34:16 pm »

Thanks for all your knowledge and help, but I think I'm going to stick at this time.

all those parts add up to another wadge of money that is not in the budget, and at this stage, I dont even know if I'm going to take up the hobby full time or not.

I shall take the boat down to the local lake, making sure there are no other r/c ers around, and try it out. If it all works ok, and I find I like it, I shall start over again with the correct gear.

Thanks again
Bob.

chingdevil · « **Reply #17 on:** April 20, 2008, 05:48:43 pm »

If you buy the complete set from Howes you get crystals, if you buy the component parts no crystals. If you search for Acoms on ebay you will find the crystals plus other parts, I know I have just brought a new set of crystals and an R/X from Howes.

Brian

Mr Andy · « **Reply #18 on:** April 23, 2008, 09:04:23 pm »

Quote from: sunnybob on April 19, 2008, 11:26:31 pm

After surfing the howes site, I'm now even more confused and I really need some one to spell out the total list of things that I need.

The site lists receivers at a tenner, but then list crystals for a tenner. HUH?

Does the receiver come with a crystal? or not. Do i have to buy a T/X, a R/X, ANd a set of crystals?

As I already have the esc and rudder servo, can someone oblige and tell me EXACTLY what i need to get the boat running legally?

Thanks very much,
Bob

Hytec Ranger 4 RX complete with three servos battery and pair of crystals I dont think this set will break the bank.

Andy.

sunnybob · « **Reply #19 on:** April 23, 2008, 10:07:14 pm »

Andy, where do I get this set from?
Howes does not list it in their search box. I've even tried an all the web search engine and got no results????????

Bob

Mr Andy · « **Reply #20 on:** April 24, 2008, 12:19:39 pm »

I got mine from a shop called Model Exchange here in North Wales, they will post it to you try phoning them 01352 713027 hope this helps.

Andy.

Stavros · « **Reply #21 on:** April 24, 2008, 05:40:11 pm »

Sunnybob word to the wise here Contact either Marc at A Model world,Shg,or scale hobbies for the best prices Model Exchange sorry to say it are very pricey Look in the Traders directory on this froum for the web and tel no's

Stavros

Mr Andy · « **Reply #22 on:** April 24, 2008, 06:25:22 pm »

Yes Stavros they are a bit, thankfully for the club discount. But you know more suppliers than I do.

Andy :)

Stavros · « **Reply #23 on:** April 24, 2008, 06:39:17 pm »

A Model world Hitec Laser 4 full and complete set £76.00

SHG £99.00

The Model Dockyard £89.95

Howes £75.00

Andy all you got to do is to use the traders directory to get good prices and that goes for sunnybob as well thats where I just got those prices

Stavros

andi4x4 · « **Reply #24 on:** April 26, 2008, 01:52:54 pm »

Sunnybob - try the shops listed in the traders section of the forum -

regards

Andi

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Author Topic: is my boat flying? (Read 10174 times)

sunnybob

sunnybob

sunnybob

Stavros

sunnybob

sunnybob

sunnybob

sunnybob

chingdevil

Mr Andy

sunnybob

Mr Andy

Stavros

Mr Andy

Stavros

andi4x4