Spektrum DX-8 or DX-9 with AR RXs in Boat Applications?

[Darin Jordan]

Does anyone here have any experience running the Spektrum Air TX/RX combinations in a boat?

If so, was the range and operation acceptable?

I haven't had a chance yet to test this, but was curious.

[04fxdwgi]

I am curious about the same subject. Have a DX9 (have a 9XR as a backup) that I use for everything else (heli's and multirotors) and like the idea of one radio for everything.
Have a new to me 36" electric monohull (1st boat) and want to use the DX9 for it. Used to the 2-stick way of doing things.

This boat is an older unit and am upgrading from the 760 sized can motor to a new inrummer / new ESC setup.

The old radio that was include w/ the deal is Futaba AM 75MHz w/ Futaba receiver. Going to try to sell off the radio, receiver, three 760 can motors (with water cooler coil), motor mount, 4mm to 4mm flex coupling and RC Hydros 90 amp, water cooled, SC3-HP ESC.

Just need to figure out the radio programming for making the forward / reverse operation work safely.

[Darin Jordan]

I tried my DX-9 with an MR3000 at the last SAW event, and can say clearly that this setup does NOT work. They bind, but the range is horrible.

Went back to my DX3R-Pro and MR3000 and never had a range issue again.

[04fxdwgi]

Possibly bind it up w/ a Spectrum 3 -6 CH air receiver or even an OrangeRX. The receivers can be "waterproofed" pretty easily. I have an OrangeRX 9 CH with built in telemetry and long antenna's I may try it on.

My range w/ the DX9 TX and a Spectrum or OrangeRX Rec (with Spektrum remote receiver) on my quads is way beyond what I am capable of seeing clearly. Can't see why it won't work on the boats. Only unknown is reflectivity from the water.

My boat has a wing over the cockpit and I was planning on mounting a Spektrum remote under it and run the long receiver antenna up the antenna tube sticking up from the hull. Hull is all plastic, so CF isn't an issue.

[04fxdwgi]

Got the programming figured out. Did it on the 9XR on the PC and am going to duplicate on DX9.
CH1 RUD -100 to +100 (inverted)
CH2 GEA Sw to operate navigation lights
CH3 THR stick utilizes 3 position switch for the FOR-Neutral-REV modes. The Thottle Safety Cut Out SW returns Throttle to "0" output when switch is activated while in either directional mode.
A. Using 3 pos sw in ID0 for "Forward" and using a curve w/ all "BELOW" center stick will equal "0" output, then all ABOVE center stick will be 0 to +100 output.
(also added some "slow" delay to smooth out adding output in relation to stick movement. Easier on drive train, since I'm not racing it or needing a lot of "punch" out of the hole)
B. 3 Pos Sw ID1 is "Neutral", with all positions as "0", no mater where the stick is.
C. 3 Pos SW ID2 is "reverse" and using a curve for all ABOVE center stick will be "0" output. All "BELOW" center stick will be reverse, limited to 25% output.

Didn't test in water yet, but works flawlessly on the bench with servos connected to an OrangeRX 7CH receiver and on the simulator I built.

Also did a "Loss of Signal" test by turning off radio and everything returns to default "0 - Center stick" with receiver powered up and no transmitter signal.