I am sure this will be covered in the sticky above but as I am looking to possibly purchase in the near future, I thought I'd just through this out there.

Plenty of searches about the best radio between the manufacturers but the question comes down to frequency.

There are loads to choose from - 11 to 60 divided between the low and high sections. The question is there a difference between the low / high? Does one just pick a number like the lottery? I understand the fact that 2 people with the same frequency can't operate their planes at the same time but does one really just pick a frequency at random or is it based upon what one might choose to fly or even flight location?

Thanks, Hansen

BTW - I was looking at the Futaba 6exas radio. Off to do some more searches.

I chose channel 49 because no one else in the club has a transmitter on that channel. I have heard of "bad channels" at certain fields. I guess there is something causing interference at that location. You might check on this if there is an RC club where you'll be flying. Getting a list of 'open' channels there, if there are any, would be good.

Frequency selection is really a personal thing. It usually has nothing to do with location, and definitely has nothing to do with type of plane. Any of the radios out there will fly any of your models on any frequency (within the limits of available channels, of course). Some will say that certain frequencies might experience more "hits" than other channels at particular fields, so you might want to check that out before you pick one. Other than that, go through your membership list (if its available), and pick a channel that the fewest other people are on. Simple as that, really!

pretty much just choose a number.. You can also talk to others u fly or drive with and see what frequencys they're on and choose one they aren't on. Other than that all the frequencys are the same, just make sure you use matching crystals (rcvr & trans) and if trans and rcvr are high to begin with stick with hi freqs only.

As others have said, it really doesn't matter that much. Go to the fields you are going to fly at and keep an eye on the channels in use, and pick the channel that has the fewest users on it. Although, that can change too. I originally started on channel 56 because there was nobody else on it, but now there are 5 of us using that channel.

As far as high/low with Futaba radios, not all manufacturers do that. I fly Airtronics and with those you can put any channel in a reciever, there is no high/low with those.

Ken

Cheesehead,

The low and high bands you mention are only for Futaba systems. All the other brand's receivers can use any frequency crystal you choose. If you go with a synthesized radio system, you can literally dial-in any available frequency into the transmitter and then match the receiver crystal to the xmtr. Polk's Hobby uses a crystal-less system where you choose a frequency on the transmitter, and then program the receiver for that freq. The transmitter will scan the airwaves to make sure that your chosen channel is not already being used. Then there's the spread spectrum radios...

Jesse

Do as I did. Go to your local flying field and note which channels are most commonly used. Then pick one with the least use.

I did this and narrowed down a few channels. One turned out to have no users......which naturally turned into two other users just after I changed channels. Another channel I lucked on with a new radio is full of glitches, however; with a change to a new field it may be OK (have to test it yet).

I finally purchased the Hitec Optic 6 with the Spectra Module (allows you to pick the transmitter channel without sending it back to the manufacturer). Now I'm in the process of buying a range of receiver crystals. I set my planes up to be able to readily access the receiver, so I can pick from a range of channels, depending on whats open. Very convenient.

Brad

Appreciate the feed back. Will seek out the nearest club with an instructor of course (don't want to learn the hard way) and see what's in use.

Thanks - Hansen

I just went ahead and got 5 crystals just to be safe. I got 40, 45, 55, 60 and my trainer already has 50. I also got a Futaba 9C Synthesized Tx Module combo. On this one you can tune to different frequncies like a radio, no more crystals. I got that one for a future warbird I am going to build.

This is the exact reason why I am very seriously considering a Polk Tracker radio. [link=http://www.polkshobby.com/index1.html]www.polkshobby.com[/link] I really do think that will be my next radio purchase.

Ken

Just as amatter of interest. Here in the UK, where we fly on 35Mh., we can change both Tx and Rx Xtals at will which is very handy on busy sites. The 'unwritten law' is for power to use odd nos., gliders even. Of course, over the English Channel, in the smaller part of Europe a different frequency band is used. Some sites insist on the local but I have found that "visitors" are able to use their own frequencies with the local bosses sayso.

Above all learn how to use the frequincy control system used by the club(s) you will fly at!

The vender you buy from may only have specific crystals available at the time you purchase. This may have more of an impact on which channel you end up on than you'ld like to think.

Just to throw in some more international stuff. Australia has specific frequency ranges for R/C equipment. For aircraft the most common band is 36Mhz although 40Mhz is also permitted. 27Mhz is OK for park flier stuff and 29Mhz tends to be an older aircraft range more commonly used by R/C cars.

In general, aircraft run on 36Mhz using odd numbered channels. We peg frquencies using one of two standardised frequency boards. Two inch wide keys cover 20Khz and one inch keys cover 10Khz. There are different boards for 10 and 20Khz separation.

When I peg my frequency of 629 the two inch key blocks off 628 and 630. This ensures no-one flies on the adjacent channels. The reason for this is to ensure any frequency drift doesn't wander into someone elses channel. Hence my key blocks an effective 20Khz wide band. You'll understand why odd channels are preferred now, it minimises the risk of overlapping into the blocked range of someone elses key.

In Australia the national MAAA requires that most member clubs/fields follow their frequency guidelines, which means that every TX must be tested and certified for the freq it transmits on. You can change crystals to get onto another channel but you need a certification test and approval sticker. Not sure how they deal with synthesised stuff theses days but I'm sure there is a rule.

I also believe our 36Mhz band does not use positive or negative shifts as seen between different brands of radio. At least, that's what the experts tell me BUT most people stick to matching brand receivers.

Cheesehead-RCU,

You asked about "high/Low".

Most manufacturers tune thier receivers to the middle of the band, approxchannel 35, or 36. You put in a crystal and fly. Futaba tunes some to the middle of the lower half of the band, approx 23, and the rest to the middle of the upper half of the band, approx. 47. With these, you have a better chance that the crystal you use is closer to the tunning of the electronics than with the other brands.

When you send your set in for maintenance, you can have the receiver tuned to the same channel as your crystal. Supposedly that is even better.

Ken, AMA 19352