All,
I have been a tank RC'er for quite awhile. I have used the radios that came with the HL tanks, so my knowledge of RC equipment is limited. I saw That Karen Has a Tx'er with receiver for $ 99.00 for sale at that AAF museume PX. My main question is, I'm starting to get involved with RC boats ( 1/200 USS Arizona and 1/ 125 USS Murphy ( Limburg Blue Devil Destroyer ) and need to buy some radio gear. I also want it to be able to use it with my tanks. Is that possible. I don't know of the frequency requiremnts of boats and tanks. I know that planes have a specific frequancy range, but do boats? Any help here will be greatly appreciated. Thanks agan as always.


Jim

Yes, you can run them all on one radio transmitter(TX). The only cavets are: you can only run one model/tank/boat at any one time and that if that radio fails or you batteries go dead you have nothing and no back-up radio. You would need receivers for each since moving them from craft to tank to car is not easy or recommended. They (RXs) are not intended to be relocated often. Aircraft use 72 Mhz and 2.4 Ghz for flying in the USA. Ground models (boats, cars, tanks, robots etc..) use 27 AM, 75 MHZ FM and 2.4 GHz in the USA. Karen's 2.4 are great deal...the cheapest I have ever seen at $90 thru the new online store (see link below). Most of us tankers modify the TX for tanking by adding a self-centering left joystick (they ratchet otherwise) and add a remote fire button for the main gun. This may not be suitable for other vehicles/craft. I hope this answers your question.

Bob
http://shop.aaftankmuseum.com/

Hi I can recomend the Spektrum DX6I 2,4ghz10 model memoryis very good for both Tanks and Boats(even aircraft if you wanted).
First question you need to answer is how many channels will you need (four is normal for Tanks)The Spectrum has six channels buttwo of them are on off channels (turn on lights, radar, that sortof thing).The more channels you need the price goes up fast,double if you want eight channels, double again if you want twelve channels.

regards pete

Well, there in lies the question. I would like a radio that controlled both tanks and boats ( not at the same time ). So what would be the best buy? Can you add on to a radio ? Ie more channels?

If you mean physically add more channels to a radio box, you cannot. But with the Spektrum Dx6i and a 6 channel receiver, you don't need to use all the available channels, and it leaves you plenty of function for upgrades later on.

It's a solid system at a decent price. The 10 model memory is great, i used my 6i for scale ships, aircraft (r.i.p.), and soon tanks.

Hi The advantage of the Spektrum DX6I is if you have a Tamiya pershing (which I have )it has a very silly startup and operating ,You have to go full reverse to get it to move,but also to make it fire it is full stick movement plus trim to fire any of the guns,(with the Spektrum you can set this to happen without using the trims or even use channels 5 and 6 to make it fire)
Strato50 is correct you cant add more channels to the radio,this is why you need to sort out how many channels you will need for the boats,2 channels to control the speed and direction,leaves 2 channels with full, control turn turrets, elevate guns and 2 channels to turn on lights and radar.if this is all you need it is one of the best on the market.

regards pete

Thanks All,
Yes the six channle sounds best as I do plan on having lights and a revolving radar dish. I would also like to RC the turrets so this may be the way I need to go. Thanks agin for all the advice.

Jim

You can also buy inexpensive orange brand 2.4 Ghz receivers for Spektrum brand radios. This is a big plus. You can find them at Wholesellers for about $7.00. This is an incredible deal and this really makes going to a hobby grade 2.4 Ghz radio cost effective. When it only cost $7.00 to put in a receiver the Spektrum become the best value radio out there.

Is the brand really "Orange" or is it called something else? Thanks!!!! Rudy

They are called Orange receivers. I bought a bunch and will be selling them on my website to go along with the other electronics I am selling. I have tried these and they work fine. Not much risk with a tank. Maybe if I had a $10,000 aircraft I would be concerned, but for a slow stay on the ground Tank they are golden.


[link=http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__11965__OrangeRx_R610_Spektrum_DSM2_6Ch_2_4Ghz_Re ceiver_w_Sat_Port_.html]Spektrum receivers [/link]

There is no way I can match the Hobby King price. SO there you go, and the discovery of these is why I now push Spektrum over any other brand. How can you compete with a $6.00 receiver

Dan

Wow!!!! Very inexpensive and would really save time with multiple models!!! Have you tried it with the Futaba Radios? I watched the video for the DX7 binding. Very simple.

I beleive these will only work with the Spektrum radio with DSM2 technology. I doubt they will work with other systems. The fact that these exist for such a low price really put the Spektrum radios in the spot light.

Spektrum also makes a dedicated marine receiver. It compensated for the backscatter you can get on water.

http://www.spektrumrc.com/Products/D...odID=SPMMR3000

be careful with that particular receiver - it only works with their DX3 ground radios, not the DX5 / 6 /etc park flier radios.

In Horizon Hobby's own words..."The MR3000 is also compatible with Spektrum and JR® DSM2™ aircraft radios. "

Any JR or Spektrum DSM2 or DSMx (which are backwards compatible with DSM2) transmitter will work with them.  <br type="_moz"/>

The one I picked up specified surface radios only and flatly refused to bind to my Dx6i [&:] - I will have to dig it out and check!

I guess I am wondering why you would buy a $80 receiver when a $6.00 one works?????

Excuse my ignorance on 2.4 gHz radios, but what is different between a surface and an air one????. I understand the difference with crytsal radios, but is there something I am missing on 2.4 gHz systems???

The simple answer is that the orange receivers only just came on the market and most of us hesitate to recommend something we have not tried personally, that is all

As for the surface vs air - as I recall the receiver I have might well have a telemetry function which is not supported by the air radios - or something, either way I have a Spektrum receiver here that does not talk to a DX6i - that much I am certain of, so I guess all I'm trying to say is be sure to read the small print before you buy (unlike me... [:@] )

Either one will work in the 2.4 for planes or surface, but some functions are set up differently on the two. The spectrum  radio had some problems working well on the water, and none of the 2.4's will work more than a couple of inches below the surface for subs that I know of.

Orange recievers are avalable for spektrum and futaba radios and work fine with DSM1 and 2 but not DSM3 and the futaba Orange recievers work with all Fast systems and have High speed and standard mode built in I have ten of each and have had no faiures what so ever from them

Yes I have a lot of the orange Spektrum receivers and they work fine. I was unaware that they make FFS systems

yes they make a fast 1 8 channel and a fast 2 that can be combined witha second reciever have to 14 channels
the first one is the 8 channel the second is the Spec that can be used with a second for 14 channels

So will these work with the Futaba Spektrum versions of their radio's?

orange fast work with futaba fast systems orange spektrum work with spektrum systems

Lol! Sometimes I miss the small print too. I believe you when you say you had one that wouldn't bind to a DX6i. Based on Spektrum's propaganda, it seems that it might have been the exception and not the rule...just like how some AR6000s don't like to bind to DX5e's despite the fact that DSM is supposed to be backwards compatible to DSM2 txs.