Hi All
This is my first foray into the word of model boats and in particular yachts. ...
What I need to get is some radio gear to go with it. ...
Any advice greatly welcome.
Hi - you don't tell us if you are an experienced radio modeller who is moving to boats, or a beginner to radio generally.
If you are asking about radios I guess that you might be the latter? Assuming you are in the UK, the first thing you need to be aware of is the appropriate transmitter frequency to purchase. These are:
27Mhz - original modelling frequency, now much used by toys so interference might be a problem. If you are sailing on a pond with other users you will find a spare pair of different crystals useful to change frequency so you don't clash with someone else. 27Mhz is good for submarines, since it can go some way through water. 27Mhz sets are usually cheap, but lack sophistication and extra features. Can be used for all radio control.
35Mhz - newer frequency specified for use in the UK by AIRCRAFT ONLY. Do not buy this for a boat or car.
40Mhz - newer frequency specified for use in the UK by SURFACE VEHICLES, INCLUDING BOATS. Do not buy this for an aircraft. This is the most common frequency for boat hobbyists - very similar to 27Mhz, but usually more expensive and sophisticated transmitters. Spare crystals are useful again.
458/9 Mhz - old frequency - still theoretically usable but no one makes transmitters for this at the moment. Can be used for all radio control.
2.4Ghz - very new frequency - used as a general wireless service for all sorts of things. Interference should not be a problem like all the other frequencies because the 2.4 Ghz systems send encoded data packets which are tied to a particular transmitter/receiver pair. Were originally very expensive, but now are dropping in price rapidly - see
http://www.giantcod.co.uk/parts-systems-c-40.html for example. 2.4Ghz will not go through water, so no good for submarines. There is some talk about needing care with aerial positioning for marine use - if under the waterline there might be problems - but I have heard of no proven problems, and many people claim no problem whatsoever. Can be used for all radio control.