2.4GHz

[whacky]

I am just venturing back into the hobby and have seen alot of talk about 2.4ghz radio gear.

 

Can anyone give me a quick rundown of what I need to know about it, I guess the main thing being I can still use my existing gear right??

[Frank Skilbeck]

Tx's and Rx's are all unique, i.e. Spetrum/Jr tx will onlyr work with Spektrum/Jr Rx, Futaba with Futabe, Hitec with Hitec, MPX with MPX etc not like 35 mhz ppm where any Rx would work with any Tx.

 

All you existing servos would be fine though.

[Phil 9]

if you have 35Mhz radio gear its still ok to use

[whacky]

Posted by Phil B on 29/12/2009 23:35:24:

if you have 35Mhz radio gear its still ok to use

 That's good to hear,

 

So why would I want it?

[Phil 9]

 

Short answer is right now you dont>>

 

 

just use your 35Mhz kit for now.

 

If you get seriously back into the hobby you may want to look at 2.4Ghz later on. It does have some advantages. If you had no kit at all most people I think would recommend buying a 2.4G system. Check your 35Mhz kit out properly (especially the batteries) if its being sitting about for a long time and if it works fine then use it. No point in wasting money>>

[Klippy]

Hi Whacky, if you still have any kit that uses loose batteries, usually AA or AAA, DON'T use it! Buy new welded (soldered) rechargeable packs. Loose batteries in plastic packs are unreliable. Ask me how I know!

[whacky]

Thanks for the advice guys I will stick with my futab 6exa for now then

[Vecchio Austriaco]

Some major points are missing in this chat:

Advantages:

The system searches automatically for a free channel - so you never have to check for a free channel and nobody will disturb your radio.

Much more tolerant for interference from electric motors or ignition systems.  

Antenna short on the transmitter and very short on the receiver.  It is normally inside the fuselage and therefore invisible.

Disadvantages:

As the frequency is much higher the behavior of the radio waves is rater similar to a light beam. If the model is behind a hill it will not receive the signal any more. (don't laugh - especially with gliders in some mountainous area it may happen that the model is out of sight for a second or two when you try to find a save place to land it when you cannot make it to the top of the slope any more)

Conductive material as carbon fibre or aluminium parts may disturb the receiver. It is important to find the optimum position for the receiver / antenna on the model. (think of carbon fibre fuselage on some gliders). This is also the reason why some brands use satellite receivers (Spektrum) on their full range gear.

The voltage for the receivers is critical - always use fully charged batteries of suitable capacity. 

VA 

Edited By Vecchio Austriaco on 31/12/2009 07:47:13

[BB]

Theres nothing wrong with the set you currently use whacky.  But if you do decide to steup a notch a Futaba 6exp 2.4ghz (Combo)

 

Here

 

Or if you have the dough !

 

The new Fg8 set - Not cheap but ... !

 

BB

[Clive Matthews]

Good summary  Vecchio, thanks.

 

I will add, incomplete knowledge concerning the use of a microwave transmitter close to the face. Fortunately, EU systems radiate at lower power.

 

I use 2.4Ghz by the way.

[Former Member]

[This posting has been removed]

[GrumpyGnome]

My two-pennurth...............

 

On 35 Meg, I get glitches nearly every flight.  Some barely noticeable, some a bit scarey.  On my 2.4 equipped planes (Spektrum and GiantCod cheapo set) I can't recall a single glitch.

 

So, in my view, if you get good performance out of 35, stick with it; otherwise move to 2.4.

 

Biggest downside is that the Rx's aren't interchangeable. That I know of .......

 

GG

 

P.S. I still have two planes in my fleet on 35 meg; number on 2.4 increases each pay-day