Range problem - Spektrum in CF hull

[zooma]

Using Spektrum DX4C transmitter and SR410 receiver. I know that the signal does not go through carbon fiber hull/deck, so I am using the external antenna tube. Total antenna length is 7", with 5 1/2" in the tube. So the little bare end is nearly 5" above the deck. As I travel around our small lake, the boat quits on the far side, only about 300 feet away. (took the measurement on Google Earth.) I release the controls, wave the transmitter up high, and after a few seconds, I can run the boat again. Sometimes I can pass that spot without losing signal, particularly if I'm going at full throttle. But, when I am slowing down to go around the buoy, she just quits. I have not had a chance to re-bind or try a different receiver yet.

Any ideas?

[NativePaul]

Someone had this problem recently, and solved by adding a second antenna tube to get them both out of the hull.

[zooma]

SR410 surface receiver only has one antenna.

BTW - I understand that Spektrum is discontinuing the MR200 dual antenna marine receivers.

[kfxguy]

I helped my range issue by issuing higher voltage aa batts. Along with running both antenna out the hull but that's not your issue. Note, I did both at separate times and the hv aa batts did help noticeably.

[zooma]

I helped my range issue by issuing higher voltage aa batts. Along with running both antenna out the hull but that's not your issue. Note, I did both at separate times and the hv aa batts did help noticeably.

What's a high voltage aa batt? I am running 1.5v alkalines. As far as I know, the fancier ones are just higher capacity.

[shua]

Spektrum is safe to use 2s lipo as well.

[kfxguy]

What's a high voltage aa batt? I am running 1.5v alkalines. As far as I know, the fancier ones are just higher capacity.

Do a search on eBay for nizn aa batteries. They are 1.6v each. Rechargeable

[AndyKunz]

This is not a voltage problem. The battery is dropped down to 3.2V internally in the receiver.

A range problem here is probably due to the installation in some way - CF, grounding, or such. Got photos?

The only part of the antenna that matters is the silver part, the last inch. You want that up and away from the carbon AND from the water. DSMR should give you about 500' on the water, farther over dry ground.

Andy

[Fluid]

My DX3R-PRO/MR3000 has the short antenna 5" above the deck and the long one taped along the underside of the deck. There is carbon fiber on the hull bottom (sport hydro). This gave me at least 950 feet (measured) on the water, does DSMR have less range or am I just lucky? Thanks Andy.



.

[kfxguy]

This is not a voltage problem. The battery is dropped down to 3.2V internally in the receiver.

A range problem here is probably due to the installation in some way - CF, grounding, or such. Got photos?

The only part of the antenna that matters is the silver part, the last inch. You want that up and away from the carbon AND from the water. DSMR should give you about 500' on the water, farther over dry ground.

Andy

Let me put it this way. I know that in one of my boats that's carbon fiber, I ran both antennas out the hull, both in the tube and that helped. And with no doubt whatsoever, I am absolutely sure that when I increased the voltage in the transmitter from 6v to 6.4-6.5v I stopped having it cut out on me. Say whatever you like, I run nothing but spektrum and I know that at a certain tree on the lake if I went past it, I was walking to the boat to get it to link again. When I increased the voltage, not only did it go past the normal spot, it would go further than I could see. That's a fact.

[tlandauer]

Using Spektrum DX4C transmitter and SR410 receiver. I know that the signal does not go through carbon fiber hull/deck, so I am using the external antenna tube. Total antenna length is 7", with 5 1/2" in the tube. So the little bare end is nearly 5" above the deck. As I travel around our small lake, the boat quits on the far side, only about 300 feet away. (took the measurement on Google Earth.) I release the controls, wave the transmitter up high, and after a few seconds, I can run the boat again. Sometimes I can pass that spot without losing signal, particularly if I'm going at full throttle. But, when I am slowing down to go around the buoy, she just quits. I have not had a chance to re-bind or try a different receiver yet.

Any ideas?

I asked this question back in May, here is the link to that thread. http://forums.offshoreelectrics.com/...hey-comparable

Then recently there was another discussion because newer tx is now not backwards compatible with MR200 and MR3000 because of some regulations in Europe. From the feed back I thought ( I have not used it since I have some MR series stashed away) the newer DSMR protocal should work even better than the MR series which operates on DSM-Marine protocol.
I have never had any problem with either MR200 or MR3000, a few of them are in partially CF layup hulls, always had one antenna out, in one case I pulled both out and in a custom tube, worked great.
I wonder if you have a bad unit?? As said, the only antenna section that counts is the silver section.

[zooma]

DSC05843b.jpg

Receiver is in the black foam sleeve, back at the transom. I will try another of the same SR410 receiver. If that doesn't improve the range, I'll pull an MR2000 from another boat. My DX4C transmitter is about 2 yrs old. It does not have a date label in the batt compartment. It does work with the MR receiver.

[runzwithsizorz]

[QUOTE=zooma;641571]SR410 surface receiver only has one antenna.

BTW - I understand that Spektrum is discontinuing the MR200 dual antenna marine receivers.[/QUOTE


Incorrect sir, see minute 14 in this video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=844&v=ELJ4XNwI-Pc

[runzwithsizorz]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]136817[/ATTACH]

Receiver is in the black foam sleeve, back at the transom. I will try another of the same SR410 receiver. If that doesn't improve the range, I'll pull an MR2000 from another boat. My DX4C transmitter is about 2 yrs old. It does not have a date label in the batt compartment. It does work with the MR receiver.

Something I noticed in my instruction manual, the SRS4210 receiver, *does not like velcro.* Hmmmm Perhaps the SR410 receiver doesn't either, both are DSMR.
OOPS! my bad, re-read manual, they want you to use the provided double sided sticky foam to mound the SRS4210 receiver, as a anti-vibration inhibitor to make use of the ACTIVE VEHICLE CONTROL system.

[AndyKunz]

My DX3R-PRO/MR3000 has the short antenna 5" above the deck and the long one taped along the underside of the deck. There is carbon fiber on the hull bottom (sport hydro). This gave me at least 950 feet (measured) on the water, does DSMR have less range or am I just lucky? Thanks Andy.

You just got lucky, Jay. It could be related to the water surface (wave height) or your height above the water.

Andy