FE and Radios question.

[iamandrew]

2.4 ghz all the way, seem to have less power consumption.
Even running cheap crappy 2.4 is still by far better than my old futaba and sanwa gear.
havent had any line of sight issues either.
Ive also never had an electric car or boat "run out of control" because usually, as in almost 99.9% of the time, when using electric speed controllers, they die and stop compleatly. unlike gas boats where the throttle cable can get jammed or somthing like that

[Boaterguy]

I have never had a problem with either of my two HK $22.50 radios, even whilst submerged (while in a balloon). I have never been able to get a 75 or 25mhz radio to work despite owning 3 of them and spending up to $150 on one of them. it could be me in general, because other things break also, the old ipod shuffle (first gen) does not work with me, I have broken two despite treating them properly. I run 2.4, I don't care what anyone else runs because they will never interfere with me. at my club pond, there is a spot not one am/fm user would dare go near, 2.4 users drive right through it.

[raptor347]

The problem here isn't the equipment. It's user error. I never had problems with my 27/50/75mhz systems. I don't have problems with my 2.4ghz radio gear either. Our biggest problem is educating new boaters and maintaining safe operation practices for we more experienced boaters.

I know several boaters that would love to convert to 2.4. But for long standing modelers, the expense of re-outfitting a fleet is pretty prohibitive. When you start talking about several $1000's to upgrade modules and replace 20 years worth of collected equipment it's easy to understand not switching. Especially when the existing equipment is well maintained and functions perfectly.

Until the FCC takes the 27 and 75 bands away for RC operation I say we need to continue to support the safe use of existing equipment.

My .02

[wrongway]

Yes Exactly raptor347, Egneg ask if it is unreasonable to force non 2.4ghz users to move
to 2.4!

My final opinion is this:

To force 2.4 on anyone is wrong period! FE boats are now going well over 60
mph.
They are like little bullets. They are capable of jumping a bank and killing someone!
Are we going to ban FE because they can be a danger to the public or because someone new that doesnt know what they are doing
is running one??
Steven has also made the good point that Good radio's are expensive. Wether we boaters want to admit it or not
RC Airplanes and cars are far more popular now than boats! Many people make there living in Rc Boats!
We should be doing everything we can to get new people into rc boating rather than pushing people away
by forcing new radios on them.

[Doug Smock]

Or like forcing everyone to use the same motors and esc's??

Still hung up huh Danny?

"Until the FCC takes the 27 and 75 bands away for RC operation I say we need to continue to support the safe use of existing equipment". Right!


Build an additional frequency board fellas. It doesn't have to be anything real fancy.

Doug

[Diegoboy]

Still hung up huh Danny?

...just a wee bit

deadhorse3.gif

[Flying Scotsman]

The problem here isn't the equipment. It's user error. I never had problems with my 27/50/75mhz systems. I don't have problems with my 2.4ghz radio gear either. Our biggest problem is educating new boaters and maintaining safe operation practices for we more experienced boaters.

I know several boaters that would love to convert to 2.4. But for long standing modelers, the expense of re-outfitting a fleet is pretty prohibitive. When you start talking about several $1000's to upgrade modules and replace 20 years worth of collected equipment it's easy to understand not switching. Especially when the existing equipment is well maintained and functions perfectly.

Until the FCC takes the 27 and 75 bands away for RC operation I say we need to continue to support the safe use of existing equipment.

My .02

Brian, as usual on the button and I have not experienced problems with my FM system and as he mentions the cost is prohibitive for owners of large fleets. The real point he made was to use common sense in operating any radio system.

Douggie

[longballlumber]

I dissagree regardless... but, how would/could you police this ruling or "force" someone to change? Especially with all of the 27 and 75 equipment already out there. I guess we would need a radio burning at town hall....

People have got to take responsibility for their own equipment and the use of said equipment.

I still run a Futaba 3UCP on 27mHz and just last year I took everything I owned (2x TX's and 10 PCM RX's) to a local guy to have them checked out and retuned. It cost me more to have it serviced than if I would have tried to sell it out right. However, it would cost me near $2500 (estimate) for direct replacments of Futaba's equal 2.4gHz stuff...

They have been doing this on 27 and 75 for EONS... It's the users not the radio equipment itself.

Later,
Mike

[Diegoboy]

You can have the best tuned FM money can buy. You can take all the precautions there are to take. You can enforce all the regulations necessary but in the end, your $800 boat will be destroyed by a simple flick of the switch when someone else turns on the same freq.

I am never in favor of rules that limit anyone, but if it means saving my investment from total destruction by someone elses carelessness (or mine) then okay.

[longballlumber]

You can have the best tuned FM money can buy. You can take all the precautions there are to take. You can enforce all the regulations necessary but in the end, your $800 boat will be destroyed by a simple flick of the switch when someone else turns on the same freq.

So buying a $20 radio from Hong Kong with zero tech support in your $800 boat solves all of those problems.... Not buying it!

They have been running RC boats, cars, and planes for longer than most if not all that are registerd on this board (40+ years). If it's worked that long, it can continue to work. This just goes to show being involved with a club in conjunction with IMPBA or NAMBA is a good thing. They have rules in place for a reason!

Later,
Mike

[Doby]

For those that want to switch over but think the cost is to high....

1) 1 Tactic radio + receiver around 75 bucks (a proven, reliable radio over the past few years)
2) Extra receivers around 20 bucks each
3) Having no interference...priceless....

Frequency boards work well WHEN THEY ARE USED PROPERLY by everyone.....but there is no guarentee that everyone will always remember.

And when its just a bunch of folks bashing their boats...remembering small things like that doesn't always happen and accidents are sometimes the result.

Rather than try and have everyone else change over to 2.4 systems...change your own and problem solved (well at least your problem)

[Diegoboy]

So buying a $20 radio from Hong Kong with zero tech support in your $800 boat solves all of those problems.... Not buying it!

They have been running RC boats, cars, and planes for longer than most if not all that are registerd on this board (40+ years). If it's worked that long, it can continue to work. This just goes to show being involved with a club in conjunction with IMPBA or NAMBA is a good thing. They have rules in place for a reason!

Later,
Mike

I am looking into a DX3C. All I'm saying is that a DX3C would have 100% prevented my loss.

[Chenige]

I see some of the 2.4 units have telemetry for temps, voltage and RPM. Is anyone using this?

[Rumdog]

I am looking into a DX3C. All I'm saying is that a DX3C would have 100% prevented my loss.

So buy it! Doesn't mean the other guy needs it. Personal preference right? Why try to take that away?

[Diegoboy]

So buy it! Doesn't mean the other guy needs it. Personal preference right? Why try to take that away?

I will. And if your boat slams into mine because of your radio conflicts with another radio, we will have to talk.

Just sayin'