my new FB Dolphin has tons of CF in the fuselage. The numbers on my data logger were not real pretty with a couple of satellite RXs in the 500-600+ fades range. As bad as that looked there were O frame losses or holds. Spektrum says over 500 should be fixed but with the amount of carbon there isn't anywhere to move remotes to avoid it. Anyone using the satellite RXs for CF fuselages? Do the help? Can you mix them with regular satellites? Anyone using satellite leads over 3 ft? Thanks!

Yes I have mixed them as one of my jets also had a lot of carbonfiber, the sat has a longer lead so it can be ran out side the fuse, I just had mine comeing out the bottom

If you go to the sail plane section of this site, they can help you as they have these sweet little holders of the sat wire that make it look like a scale feature of a real jet.

Tom,

Be aware that the Spektrum DSM2 and DSMX satellites are not interchangeable...If you are running X Receiver make sure you are using X Satellites. I'm not sure if they ever made DSM2 C/F satellites...


Danno

Tom, I'm ashamed that I have to even bring up this simple redneck solution. Duct tape it to the outside dude, nobody will notice if you fly fast enough! Geez, it's like you haven't even had one beer today!

You could make a fin on top and put in that... It would be scale.. All Dolphin's have fins !! I think you should name the plane Flipper too !!

Danno

Well I think it depends on which receiver version you are using.

If DSM-X, then the fades don't mean to much other then they should be fairly equal.
Frame loss and Holds are very important and indicate a problem.

If DSM-2 then the antenna fades have merit. If the fades are not equal or high in DSM-2 then re-position the sat receivers for lower results.
Again as in X version Frame loss and Holds indicate a problem and should be checked out.

Dean

All DSMX stuff. Spektrum sez fix fades over 500

Tom, what Rx are you using? Also ... over what time period is Spektrum saying fix it if over 500?? Are they talking on a 10 min flight or a 1 min range test?

If you need them, I have a few aero shaped fins that can house the tip of the satellite Rx antenna so it looks nicer than a wire sticking out. Wish I had known this past weekend and I would have given them to you. I'll be in your area next week and can leave them with some of your crew to give to you.

JS

The fades are occurring because of the way the DMS-X system works. It is constantly moving from channel to channel. This feature creates the antenna fades.
If you are referring to the product brochure, it was probably written before DSM-X was in service. Check out the product manual.
Again if your using DMS-2 it's a different story.
Dean

Not what Horizon has said to me..... They state the numbers are irrelevant and to focus on the frame losses and holds... I see 999 every so often and no frame losses at all... I would call and maybe speak with a higher level tech to get clarification.

Exactly

Here's the plan. I am going to remove the cf laminate servo/radio trays and replace with wood ones. Really dont need cf trays. The satellites that are not blocked by the trays work well..the others have hi numbers. Dont think i need cf satellites yet. With 0 fades/holds i am starting to think i am ok after wading through a couple hundred threads. I am used to seeing dsm2 numbers. Oh yeah, it is all dsmx.

Frequency hopping doesn't automatically cause fades. When two frequency hopping systems land on the same frequency, that can cause fades. As a result
it is normal for frequency hopping systems to get quite a few fades when other frequency hopping systems are operating in the vicinity. However, I often fly alone and with my DSMX gear and properly placed remotes I get very few fades in a 10 minute flight, typically less than 20 on any given remote. My experience when flying alone is that the fades I detect are quite similar in numbers to what I got with my old DSM2 equipment. When I go to events, the number of fades increases quite a bit.

Wayne

I have 2 all carbon sailplanes, both have the Spectrum carbon receiver kits. After installing them I tested them by having my brother hold the sailplanes in my yard with the electric motors live. I then drove down the dirt road through the forest 1/2 mile to the mailbox at the nearest paved road. I could not see my property after driving 200 feet. He rotated the planes through every axis with the motor on and off and there were no fades, frame losses or holds. I have a Spectrum data logger that records these. I always do the first 10 or so flights with the logger onboard to check that the radio is working as it should. The largest sailplane (3.3 meters span) has one receiver mounted in the top of the vertical fin (36 inch extension) with its antenna out the top. I use retract tubing as an antenna reinforcement- it helps to prevent the fatigue that breaks the wire inside the little cables. This is the worst with gas motor vibration-not so much with sailplanes. You must get the antennas outside the carbon for best reception. There should always be an antenna in sight of the transmitter in every attitude. My giant scale warbirds have a lot of sheet aluminum finish on them so I have the main receiver mounted on the radio rack behind the pilot. The 3 satellites are positioned in various locations for and aft, top and bottom. Some planes have an open carbon-Kevlar weave inside of a fiberglass shell, I think these planes are not as critical but at certain attitudes there could be considerable signal attenuation and loss of range. After you do your installation range test it further than the max range you would fly it.

Too much checking and measuring in my view. Do a range check and if all is well fly the plane

I'm ashamed that I have to even bring up this simple redneck solution.