DSM

[Bruce Jacobs]

I would also argue that many potential loss of radio signal crashes could be avoided with proper setup of the fail safe function. That also goes to say you absolutely need to have tidy wiring, water tight radio boxes and decent switches and batteries.

Or the Tx antenna breaks at the flex joint...

 

[Joe Warren]

yes I remember the year stu put several boats in the bank due to the flex joint on the radio. that was just 2 years ago. That was painful to watch. But this is a interesting topic & we all might learn more cause it comes up. Mike you know the problems from the past. Have all of them been resolved? do we all need the long antenna? Maybe you can inform us of the DOs & Dont`s of DSM RADIOs. Looks like the rest of us will be going there soon..

 

[Tom Foley]

Bad move . The "old technology " is proven and still available. I have never had a radio problem that was not caused by a battery or switch . Make me switch ? You just lost a racer.

 

[Joe Warren]

Bad move . The "old technology " is proven and still available. I have never had a radio problem that was not caused by a battery or switch . Make me switch ? You just lost a racer.

Tom thats a great point the OLD System works very well. thats why i have all ways stuck with it. Iam not a RF Expert. But I know whats worked for me for 20 plus years.

 

[Danny King]

At Huntsville TT guys use dsm all the time and doing SAW the boat is further away then anyone would run normally. And I have not seen a issue.

 

[BigChuck]

At Huntsville TT guys use dsm all the time and doing SAW the boat is further away then anyone would run normally. And I have not seen a issue.

I have DK...It would be one thing if I thought the guys didnot know what they were doing...But these are seasoned boater, with the same amount of years as I have. And I can Guarantee no one is RUNNING as far as they are.

 

[Grimracer]

Joe, A few simple rules.

If you did not do it with MHZ dont do it with 2.4. Meaning.. If you did not lay the RX antenna horizontal i the boat with MHZ dont do it with 2.4 either. Just some basics like that.

Then.. a Diversity RX is ALWAYS best.. and they are readily available..
(28) Futaba Diversity RX - YouTube

Futaba Marine team members recommend the use of a 400mm RX antenna. Can you get away with out it.. YES.. but, whatever the case. its best to get the end of the RX antenna as far up away from the water as you can.

Its best to use (as described in the manuals of the systems), genuine Futaba Electroncis with your Futaba radio systems.

Its best to use a RX battery that CAN deliver the amperage needed to get it all done. Having not used one.. It looks like Bill Brandt has a great option. MAKE SURE THE BATTERY IS 10C OR MORE! NICD,, sure.. NIMH.. eh.. i dont know.. not for me.. LiFe, great choice BUT.. it must be over 10C.. and LiPo.. s.......ure.. sometimes.. if you have the experience and understand what you are dealing with... then sure.

Grim

 

[Bill Eilers]

Joe, A few simple rules.

If you did not do it with MHZ dont do it with 2.4. Meaning.. If you did not lay the RX antenna horizontal i the boat with MHZ dont do it with 2.4 either. Just some basics like that.

Then.. a Diversity RX is ALWAYS best.. and they are readily available..
(28) Futaba Diversity RX - YouTube

Futaba Marine team members recommend the use of a 400mm RX antenna. Can you get away with out it.. YES.. but, whatever the case. its best to get the end of the RX antenna as far up away from the water as you can.

Its best to you (as described in the manuals of the systems, to you genuine Futaba Electroncis with your Futaba radio systems.

Its best to use a RX battery that CAN deliver the amperage needed to get it all done. Having not used one.. It looks like Bill Brandt has a great option. MAKE SURE THE BATTER IS 10C OR MORE! NICD,, sure.. NIMH.. eh.. i dont know.. not for me.. LiFe, great choice BUT.. it must be over 10C.. and LiPo.. s.......ure.. sometimes.. if you have the experience and understand what you are dealing with... then sure.

Grim

Great advice MIKE. I even go so far as to have antenna exit to the right of the pipe. just a little extra thought on receiving a full signal when boat gets to the back strait

 

[Mike Cathey]

The biggest factor in my mind in using crystal radios is the vulnerability outside of the operator's control. When my 3PK was still using crystals I was racing in Twin Lakes Park in Marysville Washington. The radio got so glitchy I that decided to shut boat off. Reason, out of sight and on the other lake was a kid 75 yards away with a hobby shop RTR boat on the same frequency. Even when everyone was using the frequency/channel pins properly in the club, it made no difference. I also got one of my boats wrecked when another club member knew he was having radio problems and irresponsibly raced it anyway and T-boned me doing a ton of damage. One of the best club rules is that a boat that has gone out of control must be inspected by an experienced boater (so they can help correct the problem) and cleared before it can go back on the water again.

Also, if you race in clubs with big turnouts and limited open water time prior to the race, who wants to wait for the freq. pin, especially if you are chasing boat problems.

My guess is that the NAMBA rule is based on safety and insurance considerations, and the enhancements DSM radios afford in this area over crystal radios. Given the damage an out of control boat can do to other peoples boats or bodies I think this is a good thing. Like Mike Schindler says these radio's have gotten extremely affordable. Anytime I speak with or try to help a new person get going in the hobby the one thing I tell them is the radio system is not the place to scrimp on. I've seen a lot of beautiful scale wrecked because of some jenky used eBay radio system.

Also, if I have hundreds of dollars and a ton of work into a boat I want to do the most I can, given the racing environment, to insure that if there's a problem with control, it's me. I know we call this a radio control hobby, but sometimes some of us can be a little shaky on the control part. I've never run out of fuel in a race, but I've definitely run out of talent occasionally....

 

[Bill Eilers]

The biggest factor in my mind in using crystal radios is the vulnerability outside of the operator's control. When my 3PK was still using crystals I was racing in Twin Lakes Park in Marysville Washington. The radio got so glitchy I that decided to shut boat off. Reason, out of sight and on the other lake was a kid 75 yards away with a hobby shop RTR boat on the same frequency. Even when everyone was using the frequency/channel pins properly in the club, it made no difference. I also got one of my boats wrecked when another club member knew he was having radio problems and irresponsibly raced it anyway and T-boned me doing a ton of damage. One of the best club rules is that a boat that has gone out of control must be inspected by an experienced boater (so they can help correct the problem) and cleared before it can go back on the water again.

Also, if you race in clubs with big turnouts and limited open water time prior to the race, who wants to wait for the freq. pin, especially if you are chasing boat problems.

My guess is that the NAMBA rule is based on safety and insurance considerations, and the enhancements DSM radios afford in this area over crystal radios. Given the damage an out of control boat can do to other peoples boats or bodies I think this is a good thing. Like Mike Schindler says these radio's have gotten extremely affordable. Anytime I speak with or try to help a new person get going in the hobby the one thing I tell them is the radio system is not the place to scrimp on. I've seen a lot of beautiful scale wrecked because of some jenky used eBay radio system.

Also, if I have hundreds of dollars and a ton of work into a boat I want to do the most I can, given the racing environment, to insure that if there's a problem with control, it's me. I know we call this a radio control hobby, but sometimes some of us can be a little shaky on the control part. I've never run out of fuel in a race, but I've definitely run out of talent occasionally....

Seen it also. Remember!!! The radio box build should not b built as an after thought. But the most important part of a build

 

[BigChuck]

Well...I will say it...!!!! Everyone got their Shorts TWISTED over forced or un-force criteria for covid....ANY Different..?

 

[Tom Foley]

Well...I will say it...!!!! Everyone got their Shorts TWISTED over forced or un-force criteria for covid....ANY Different..?

I personally do not see the need to change it . Why ? So the computer heat formatting system has an easier job ? Is it really a problem ? I think not . All systems have problems . Next will be telling you what kind of radio you must have ...just leave it alone for hells sake .

 

[Ray Sametz]

DSM and the operator. Since we can have 5 or more boats on one radio. First thing I ask my driver when pitting is, ARE YOU ON THE RIGHT BOAT. Seen many accidents, due to being tuned to wrong boat. Hoping IMPBA also adopts this. OMHO

 

[Bill Eilers]

DSM and the operator. Since we can have 5 or more boats on one radio. First thing I ask my driver when pitting is, ARE YOU ON THE RIGHT BOAT. Seen many accidents, due to being tuned to wrong boat. Hoping IMPBA also adopts this. OMHO

Don't need more rules and regs. Pit man shouldn't launch until his driver gives him a rudder check.

 

[Bill Eilers]

Although your right. Running mutable boats during the day it's NICE to have that reminder. Once your first con rod comes out the side of the case on the bench. You will say thanks for the reminder

 

[David Bryant]

I love my circa-1990's narrow band Airtronics 75mhz pistol radio's. They provided solid operation. I never once experienced a failure. I used 5-cell/6V Rx packs. Also Deans loaded Rx antennas (with short 6-inch screw-on antenna post). I still have a few complete radio's stored away.

Just starting use new Airtronics M12S 2.4G radio's. Still learning to set things up. Has taken a bit to understand interface configuration. We'll see how things go. I'm actually using 4.8v Tx pack, and 5-cell/6v Rx packs (all NiMH)

 

[Bill Eilers]

I love my circa-1990's narrow band Airtronics 75mhz pistol radio's. They provided solid operation. I never once experienced a failure. I used 5-cell/6V Rx packs. Also Deans loaded Rx antennas (with short 6-inch screw-on antenna post). I still have a few complete radio's stored away.

Just starting use new Airtronics M12S 2.4G radio's. Still learning to set things up. Has taken a bit to understand interface configuration. We'll see how things go. I'm actually using 4.8v Tx pack, and 5-cell/6v Rx packs (all NiMH)

Aircraft. And airtronicc damn they made good stuff

 

[Tom Foley]

Although your right. Running mutable boats during the day it's NICE to have that reminder. Once your first con rod comes out the side of the case on the bench. You will say thanks for the reminder

It's no different than remembering to fill the tank , tighten the glow plug , tighten the shaft etc . We just have to remember to do it . Now in saying that I have been caught forgetting to do all the mentioned tasks lol . Do I really want to use a new radio for a reminder , no . BTW I have 2 - 3 - PK 2.4 ghz radios , one new but I choose to still use my 75 mghz stuff .

 

[Shannon Muth]

Make sure you set the fail-safe on that M-12!!! I've used Airtronics for years and my M11X is bullet proof and still used for all of my Nirto classes and my 1/5 scale off-road truck and buggy. I upgraded to the M12 and had nothing but problems. All issues seem to occur on the right side of the course. Regardless of the boat and all digital servos. Not 1 M12 but 2 and both do the same thing. I switched to Futaba for all of my gas boats and not 1 issue. Not trying to make this a Ford vs Chevy thing, just sharing my experiences.

 

[Wasted wages]

I'll just keep running my 75mhz PCM Futaba's
for as long as they are FCC legal.

Personally, I think they are the finest radios
Futaba ever built. I've run them in everything
from 20 mono's to twin 90 riggers... never had a wild boat from radio failure.. set the fail-safes properly and go race.

Forcing people to go to DSM is going to hurt the boating crowd in the long run....