I am not a current RC Pilot so I have no comment on the impounding of TX's, but I do know alot about RF technologies. It is irresponsible to think that just because you have a 2.4 ghz Digital Spread Spectrum TX and RX system that you will not be interfered on or cause interference. This technology GREATLY reduces the chances of RFI, but does not eliminate it. The 2.4 ghz digital spread spectrum band is a crowded band in Techno Dense Populations and locations. Fortunately many flying fields are away from this.... but are they? Here is a list of just some of the devices playing in that band... who brings these to the field?

1. Bluetooth devices
2. Wireless USB
3. Telemetry Links (RC aircraft, cameras, security systems, facilities monitoring)
4. Wireless LANS
5. Coredless phone
6. Wireless Microphones.
7. Microwave Ovens
8 RC DSS TX

The more devices within a compact area the greater chance of RF Intereference. Did you ever wonder why they started making 5.8 ghz cordless phone??? Because the 2.4 DSS phones were being interfered on.

This does not even address the EMI issues that still remain within the complex aircraft you are flying.... (Do not get lazy in your wiring just because you have DSS onboard. EMI can still cross couple into your radio components and reek havoc)

If I were asked for my opinion, I would highly suggest that you remain vigilant in maintaining "radio silence" when ever possible, especially when the radio link supports or controls a system where human life and items of great value are concerned. Your Bluetooth or LAN can take a momentary hit and mean nothing to you, but can flight systems?


WHY aren't there more channels on the 2.4 ghz DSS RC radios? Although DSS is great technology it does have it's limitations in what you can do with it, Particularly in high data rate applications. DSS uses 100 to 1000 times the bandwidth of the data bandwidth that is trying to transfer / transmit. More channels and or more transmission speed = more bandwidth. For each data set to be transmitted there is, in most cases, lots more overhead data in the packet than the actual data that you are trying to transfer and all this needs to be repeated over and over again More bandwidth requires more band allocated by the FCC and more expensive and powerful transmitters. I have not found detailed technical data on the RC DSS systems (probably proprietary) I cannot say for sure, but I think what you have today is a balance of radio channel information and the speed it needs to transfer. Hopefully there will be more channels someday. Has anyone tried to run 2 TX's to one bird? That would be a trick...

I hope this helps some..


bob