htrab

I have just bought an used gas cat and I had one Airtronics Rival reciever/transmitter AM set. This equipment belong to an RTR Ofna Ultra GT-LX that I own.

I installed the transmitter and reciever with the throttle and steering servos. I tested the setup and worked OK!

Is there any trouble using this system for gas boats applications?[&:]

If there's a forum covering this subject please refer me to it.

Thanks!!!!

jacob711

most people say not to use AM but i have been using AM without a single peoblem

martno1fan

Dont use AM with gas motors your asking for trouble FM or fasst only in my opinion,too much interferance with AM radios especially with gas motors.
Mart

munro1656

A mate has been using AM on his apache with a zen 260 and had no problems

cheers craig

martno1fan

No problems YET!! [X(],why use cheap radio gear on an expensive boat its just not worth the risk for me.
Mart

jacob711

sorry but i have to disagree, i have been running a gas boat with a cheap POS AM for 1 year now at least twice a month and it has been flawless, i have not had a single problem with it and the range is excellent

htrab

Do you guys know of any scientific reason of not to use the AM radio instead of the FM??[&:]

I know about the FASST technology which is constantly changing frequency, which is very nice since it avoids completely problems with any other nearby radios.

I would like to know how the AM and FM radio works in order to have a solid base to say which works better than the other.[X(]

From my limited knowhow I just know that they use two different frequencies AM (Amplitude modulation) and FM (Frequency modulation). How do they differ, I dont know!

Thanks for all your replies, prompt and useful as always!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Squidhead Racing

Latest Greatest Hull +$300
Flash Paint Job +$200
Mod Zen and Exh +$500
Accessories +$300
AM Radio $80

Watching you cry whilst you pick up the pieces of a wrecked boat cause you skimped on the MOST IMPORTANT component in the package - PRICELESS


Seriously, consider not using an AM radio, in the long run you will thank everyone for talking you into it

martno1fan

Try the search function all will be revealed,from what i know AM suffers from all kinds of interfearance not least from the ignition from the motor itself whereas FM doesnt suffer so much but that said allways run a resistor plug too.I would never recomend using AM radios with gas motors period.
Mart

stuch

AM>>powerlines airports electronic garage doors electric slideing doors just some of the energy that can effect am band.

htrab

So basically after all the input recieved I looked and found a transmitter/reciever set that I think will do the job as expected!!!!![8D]

Dirty, but functional!!!

jacob711

actually i thought i heard something about that radio having problems in boats, i cant remember if it was that one though

htrab

Are you sure about that!!!!!

I am running out of bullets!!!!!!!![:@]

IMO this last radio should work better than the AM pistol!!!!![:'(]

jacob711

sorry but i cant remember right now what radio it was that has problems in marine use, i believe there were a few threads on here about it

jacob711

sorry, i just searched and that is not that radio i was thinking of, that radio should be perfect

htrab

I just found this!

RE: Jr XS3 radio and ofna fail safe glitch problem - 5/23/2008 11:44:18 PM


Dan S

Posts: 1688
Joined: 8/26/2006
From: Oromocto, NB, CANADA
Status: offline The problem is not with the radio but the OFNA failsafe, too many glitches too many problems (not just with that radio system) and you will find threads on that issue aswell.

you are talking about the OFNA micro failsafe correct?.

I use the XS3 in all of my boats and I have Zero problems , I use the Duratrax failsafe. The Futaba micro failsafe, the Duratrax and Venom are great.

ensure you are using 4.8(4 cell) to 6 Volts(5 cell) NiCd or NiMh battery pack and not alkaline.

Like Grant said, you should not have any glitches what so ever, but the OFNA Failsafe is also a problem just on its own, replace it (not with another OFNA).

Dan.

< Message edited by Dan S 5/23/2008 11:46:55 PM >

From this info it seems I can use the radio with no issues at all!!!!

Spread the word, JIC!!

Thanks!

htrab

Thanks for your diligence and input?

Jacob, do you use FailSafe on your boats? I had been told that they tend to activate due to the high power consumption by the 1/4 scale steering servo.

Thanks.

jacob711

no i don't use a failsafe or a 1/4 scale servo for that matter

MrMikeG

Any radio might work for some and just have troubles for others. In my opinion FM is a minimium requirement, I did run AM but when it went I nearly lost a boat, fine one weekend gone the next! [:@] Now I only run with a PCM R-1, too much money in boats to trust to a cheap radio.

htrab

Thanks for the input Mike!!!!

What abou the failsafe, do you use it???[X(]

Thanks!!

martno1fan

Allways run a failsafe or you could put not only your boat at risk but others too not to mention people and or property wildlife etc etc.A boat travelling over 40 mph and some over 60 mph are dangerous missiles when out of controll [X(].You dont need a 1/4 servo but you do need a high torque one for your rudder .
Mart

stuch

this is the bottom line guys. on the lowend we pay $1,000 for a boat heck i got $2,000 into one of my boats. some guys with those 60inch cats and four motors have 10,000 into them. why not get the best radio you can. i use futaba 3pk pcm failsafe.

LtDoc

'AM' systems have been used successfully for years. They are not 'fool-proof', there can be complications. First suggestion that comes to mind is to try it and see. Finding someone who has the same engine and radio model for answers is a good thing to try. Not having either of those things, I'm certainly can't say for sure.
- 'Doc

t00fatt

I understand FM is substantially better than AM. Why is it that Tony from WHH only offers AM radios on his RTR boats? He knows what he's doing, but why does he think AM is worthwhile? I guess maybe this a question best answered by Tony himself.

MrMikeG

PCM radio's have a built in failsafe.
The add on failsafes are better than nothing but some don't work well in boats. Make sure you run 6 volts with any failsafe.