Spektrum DX3.0 radio in boats..are they a problem?

[cybercrxt]

As the title states. I have heard here and there about Spektrum brand radios causing issues in boats. Is this true? Mike

[Darin Jordan]

As the title states. I have heard here and there about Spektrum brand radios causing issues in boats. Is this true? Mike

I can't speak much to the older systems, but the DX3S system, which is compatible with the new MR3000 Marine Receivers, works great! I run the DX3S and use both the SR3100 and the MR3000 receivers with no issues at all... The new MR3000 Rxs are also "water-resistant" (I'd actually say they were water proof, but for liability reasons, I think Spektrum advertises them as "resistant"), with the electronics completely encapsulated in a potting compound.

[AndyKunz]

Mike,

My primary boat radio is a DX3R, but it has the same RF module in it that the DX3.0 has. My 3R, with a SR3100 receiver, works great on the water. You need to get the active portion of the antenna (the last 1 1/2" or so - you can see the difference) up in the air, just like with the old 75MHz radios. The SR3000 receiver has the WHOLE antenna active, so if you have it down in a radio box it's likely not to get a good signal. This is why I like the SR3100 - I can get it up high.

The 3.0 is not compatible with the MR3000 Darin mentioned. The MR3000 has the same kind of antenna as the SR3100.

Andy

[Boogie]

I run a 3001 receiver with my DX3R in my Blackjack 26 and have never had any issues. I ran my antenna out the top of the transom and have about 4 inches of the antenna exposed so it gets a pretty good signal. You shouldn't have any issues as long as it's set up correctly and the antenna not curled inside the hull.

[Hydromaniac]

I have been using 2.4 spektrums( 2.0, 3.0 and 3.2 since they first came out in all my boats, I have only had 1 issue, I'm with Andy on this if you have the antenna extended above the hull you should have no problems. I am very happy with them.

[HappyOne]

I recently made the switch to the DX3S and two of my boats use the SR3300T and two use the SR300. Each is mounted as close to the antenna hole as possible with as much of the antenna sticking out of the hull as I can get, (usually about 1 1/2 inches).

No checking or changing frequencies at the pond and no issues. Once I ran with some metal docks in front of me and the boat way out and if I lost signal, the failsafe kicked in so no worries of a runaway boat.

I really love the telemetry I get with the SR3300T. After everything is taped up I still get receiver pack voltage and motor (or esc) temperature. I even installed the RPM module for a while but found that I couldn't read it and drive at the same time :bounce:

[JimClark]

Ditto what Ron said and I have even had mine in a carbon fiber hull

Jim


I have been using 2.4 spektrums( 2.0, 3.0 and 3.2 since they first came out in all my boats, I have only had 1 issue, I'm with Andy on this if you have the antenna extended above the hull you should have no problems. I am very happy with them.

[cybercrxt]

That is great news guys. I appriciate the help. I have a JR 3XS Pro right now, and I am getting closer and closer to making a switch. I like my JR radio, and the Spektrum looks just like it, so I would rather have one of them than a Futaba, plus the price seems better. Mike

[Comfortably Numb]

What servos do you guys use with this radio? can I use my old ones?:tongue_smilie:

[JimClark]

I used Hitec servos with futaba connectors

[AndyKunz]

Servos are interchangeable, so you can use whatever floats your boat ;)

Andy

[andym]

I have seen a DX3 go bad and hit the wall whilst my Fasst system had no problems. We run in a small lake next door to a active mine site where all kinds of radio frequency's are used. Am and FM suffer badly because of the interference and the poor guy with DX3 has had more than one run away. This is a VERY high radio frequency area, and I am not the only one to think this is the problem. I know that all 2.4 gig are not equal despite what some may say!
Just my opinion of coarse and no doubt will be shouted down

[andym]

Oh and just so you know , my antenna's are in hull and his are out. Yes Carbon has been involved as well

[andym]

But oh for the telemetry, It really is a selling point for the DX3

[tharmer]

Has anyone been able to get the RPM sensor to work on a boat? I'm trying to read the RPM from the shell of an outrunner. Reflective dot or no, it appears to work on the bench up to about 4800, then resets to 0. I don't know about range yet.
-t

[ozzie-crawl]

i used to have a dx3.0 and had issues in my boat,to be fair it was complete carbon fiber and were i ran was terrible for interference,FM used to go out of control
i now run a dx3s with a mr3000 and a sr3300t, never had a glitch, the sr3300t is in my vs1 and the ariel is under the cowl never had a problem with it.

[tharmer]

Ozzie,
Did you get the RPM telemetry to work? If so, how? I'm stumped.
-t

[ozzie-crawl]

i have never tried it,fairly sure on the spektrum site there is a video on its use,from memory you need to set a rpm limit and maybe calibrate it.

[AndyKunz]

I'm heading out to the Toledo show in a little bit. E-mail (better) or PM me your phone number and I'll give you a call early next week from work.

If you can, put as many setup details and maybe some pix into the e-mail so we can be better prepared.

Andy

[tharmer]

Will do. I'll take pics today.
-t

[AndyKunz]

No e-mail or PM has arrived yet. Post here when you do it so I know to look.

Andy

[tharmer]

We've had some really nice days so I've been out testing. I haven't forgotton.
-t

[ksm2001]

I used Hitec servos with futaba connectors

Ditto on the servos

Been using my dx3.0 since 2007 and only had a few times where I lost signal for a couple seconds and went to fail safe and the boat stopped. All my antenna's are inside the hulls and the ends of the antenna as far away from electronics as possible with the last inch vertical.

Ken