Hi all,
I'm about to embark on building my first pvc sub. Just throwing ideas about in my head at the moment, and collecting useful parts but I've just had a thought... I intend on using the sub in a canal that runs close to my home. This canal however, has a huge natural iron oxide content coming from the iron ore mines, so much so that the water has a real brown colour.



The thing thats worrying me is how will this large amount of 'metal' in the water affect the radio signal? My first thought was that it'd behave just like normal water, i.e. not transmit the signal all that well, now I'm starting to wonder, would the water actually act as some kind of huge antena and either transmit the signal or kind of amplify other signals and so mess with the signal I'm transmitting?

Any thoughts on this would be very much appreciated
Karl

methinks that will really mess with the range, but i dont no for sure.

Benthehen

You could google for RC-submarine builders and ask them, they should be able to provide an answer.

Regards, Jan.

I saw a model submarine web-page that shows that the dirtier the water is the shorter your range will be. IE you'll get better range in clean pool water than you will in muddy salt water.

however, you can get more range in a clean pond or lake than in a chlorinated swimming pool

My two cents worth: If I were to spend the time, money, & effort to build a submarine I would not run it in water such as you are describing. Yes, the iron will most likely cause glitching, all subs will glitch occasionally, but think about what that iron in the water will do to your sub. I would fear more the chance of the water damaging or destroying bearings, paint and anything else it comes into contact with. I would look for a cleaner place to run it. If you do run it in the canal I would suggest a good cleaning after every time you run it. Flush everything out with clean water and let it air dry before reassembling it.

Good luck in your running!

Pete


there are two types of ships: submarines and targets

At least you wouldn't have to weather it.....

Seriously.
I think you'd have zero reception as the iron absorbs all rf signals meant to go to your boat.
You can simply test it by dropping a box in with a counter and a servo+receiver (+battery of course) and let the servo make the couter go to say 10 and check if it did

EJK

Karl,
I think the iron/mineral content of the canal will affect your sub to some extent. How and how 'much' is anybody's guess without actually trying it. One way of looking at it is would you swim in it, for whatever reason? If not, then I think I'd look for another place to sail. There are precautions you can take, the question is, are they worth the trouble?
- 'Doc

KOEZE,
'Doc = W5LZ ...

Well, I'm overwhelmed!
Thanks for all the tips guys, although the answer still appears to be a mystery you've all certainly given me some food for thought!
Like I said earlier, I'm still in the very early stages, i.e. just research and obtaining parts (just got the motors though) but I'll keep you all posted!
Thanks again,
Karl