Radio discussion

Timbo Whalen said:

Yeah?....screw that!

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Grimracer said:

Frank, Then you can see the challenges with 2.4 near the water. The the main reason Spek had so many issues as a marine radio early on. A large part of that was channel surfing (Futaba) and not.. (Spek). They have gotten much better however. (they have a very nice, very smart dude working RF for them now)

The VERY FIRST 2.4 FAST receivers that came out in the surface market had blue labels.. (yes.. FAST with blue labels) they "COULD" be challenged by HEAT related issues. (I never experienced it but we did prove it in the test lab.) that was over 15 years ago now.. (time fly's) that's been solved for years now...

We became quite enticed by that short antenna (both TX and RX). BAD IDEA.. LOL... yes they work BUT.. one better pay close attention to your installation and operation. ITS ALL GOOD, working great.. I love this.. . until its not.....

From my testing and from Futaba USA.. get that RX antenna as far away from the water as you can......(its not hard) but we choose to ignore. (I did for a time too)

Most of the air issues I see at the local club are radios un-binding.. (note.. we at Futaba LINK), we do not pair or bind.. (that's the other guys),, if ya know what I mean. I know.. generic but it help us talk about what's what.

Be well buddy.. we all in this together!

Grim

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Wasted wages said:

Grim, I’m not knocking 2.4…

My first step into them was with a Used Futaba 4px with 13 used receivers from a very good and well known person on I/W ..

I would not have even considered buying used if it wasn’t for this person..

Not sure why the radio did what it did,, but the installation followed all the rules concerning 2.4 and it was definitely a receiver issue.
I don’t give radio equipment second chances and the receiver is sitting at the bottom of the lake now.

Replacing the receiver with another one out of the batch of 13 did the trick, and the boat drove perfect after we changed it..

I now own 4 of the same transmitters and a whole bunch of receivers, so I’m now vested in the 2.4 game for keeps!!

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John Beardslee said:

Tim, I’ve always used a rule developed by Jim Drew at Xtreme RC with no failures. “Keep the antenna 2” above any electrical conductor and 2” above the tuned pipe. Served me well for the last 10 years in small single engine riggers through twin riggers. As an aside, Jim Drew designed and handled the communications for Ballard when he went to the bottom on the Pacific/Marianas Trench.

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John Beardslee said:

Tim, I’ve always used a rule developed by Jim Drew at Xtreme RC with no failures. “Keep the antenna 2” above any electrical conductor and 2” above the tuned pipe. Served me well for the last 10 years in small single engine riggers through twin riggers. As an aside, Jim Drew designed and handled the communications for Ballard when he went to the bottom on the Pacific/Marianas Trench.

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Timbo Whalen said:

John, what are you doing with residual antenna wire between Rx and antenna base, underside of radio box lid?....

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John Beardslee said:

I just route it neatly and secure it with velcro. The only effective/ functional part is the last 3/4”-1” with the coax exposed. I still use my red caps but do not fold the coax, I use velcro on the inside of the lid and fitting to keep the antenna from sliding back down the tube.

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Grimracer said:

I take and clip off the starter end of a 4in zip tie and stick it up in the antenna tube to hold the antenna. Works a charm..

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Grimracer said:

LOL.. lets do it............. wait... HONEY!.......................................................................

she said no.............. ratts..

Grim

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John Beardslee said:

I think the odds are pretty good that many who have made the switch to DSM are using digital servos but haven’t changed battery chemistry, thus living on borrowed time before a brown out causes a signal failure.

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Grimracer said:

I should go on to qualify that..

You can use ANY 2.4 system for ANY RC application.. HOWEVER.. the MFGs still use special protocols between surface and air (i don't know why)

Grim

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David Bryant said:

you mean folks that are still using NiCad packs?

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