ORIGINAL: pcm1024
Getting back on subject, I tend to agree that rtf models under a specific dollar amount that an uninformed person with a couple hundred bucks in their pocket could by and potentially down my expensive model, or worse injure someone should be restricted from the 72mhz frequency.
If you buy an arf install radio and power system, you probably are aware or someone is helping you who is aware of the channel concern.
pcm1024-
I understand your sentiment, but while neither agreeing nor disagreeing, it sounds like a "somebody ought to make law" thing. There
is a law, and it says every US resident (don't even have to be a citizen) has equal rights to use of the group of frequencies allocated to R/C of model aircraft. No qualifications, no test, no license - every resident has that right automatically. There are rules governing the use of the frequencies, but no requirement to inform/instruct a purchaser of a radio regarding those rules; it is assumed that everybody knows them. Maybe somebody can cite an instance of the vendor of an R/C system providing a copy of the Part 15 rules with it, but I've never seen it, save a sticker stating that it is for control of model aircaft only.
Q: (1) Would you change that, and if so what changes would you make? (2) This is the hard one: how would you propose to go about making those changes?
enough with the wise cracks guys. This is a dangerous hobby!
If any of your kids were hit with a hundred mile per hour model due to RFI, You would be running to the nearest lawyer. And who would suffer? Our hobby as a whole.
Yes, most RFI problems are within our clubs.
No, I haven't seen many.
But, with the introduction of many new electric models that are growing in numbers by the day, the problem will get worse if it is not addressed.
Education is the key. Whether it is by the LHS or by all of us, everyone must step up and at least recognize the possibilities
just my .02
Regarding the kid getting hit, it's the pilot of the model and possibly the club and landowner that will be sued. I can't recall ever hearing of an individual beyond the sphere of control of a club alleged to have caused the RFI being sued for causing personal injury or property damage. If it has happened, somebody please cite such a case. Within the club, it would be no surprise if somebody got sued for turning on while the frequency was in use.
Your last sentence may help mitigate the problem. Some LHS people are concerned enough - note that such a person started this thread. AMA has urged model distributors to take part in passing info to new modelers. It's a start, much more needed.
One thing we all need to realize is that to conform with AMA rules for separation from others using the same frequency requires some measure of control (in which we have no legal right to preferential status) over an area of about 30 square miles. If it isn't reasonably practical to surveil that area continuously and assure there are no other users that might interfere, then it isn't reasonable to rely on the club pinboard alone for frequency control. Reasonable or not, how many of us do? AMA needs to do some education within, as well as for the newbies beyond the club fence.
Abel