Spektrum Technology

Mon Oct 24 22:15:14 AKDT 2005

I'm glad to see this technology arriving.  One thing though, is that as 
these radios begin to show up at our flying field, I don't think it will 
eliminate shootdowns from the owners of the spread spectrum gear in all 
cases.  The reason?  People are creatures of habit and for those who will 
inevitably use standard 72 mhz gear as well as spread spectrum, the new 
habits that will form of disregarding frequency control when grabbing a 
spread spectrum transmitter is inevitably going to lead to forgetting to 
grab the pin on the old technology radio. It happens already and will 
probably get worse before it gets better as a result of things changing.

Clearly this is an improvement though and one that will eventually propogate 
into wide use, so eventually this concern diminishes.  I think that in the 
meantime, it will be even more important to educate newbies about proper 
radio use and to remind ourselves that even with years of experience, when 
you start to form new habits, you can more easily slip up on procedures you 
may have used for years.

Ed

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Troy A. Newman" <troy_newman at msn.com>
To: <discussion at nsrca.org>
Sent: Tuesday, October 25, 2005 1:22 AM
Subject: Spektrum Technology

> Ok guys it is finally here. This weekend at the Houston(Tomball) SPARKS 
> contest I was asked a few questions about this new and exciting product. 
> We as pattern flyers are going to benefit from this.
> I have had the opportunity to be flying one of these systems for the last 
> few months.
>
> http://www.horizonhobby.com/Shop/ByCategory/Product/Default.aspx?ProdID=SPM2460
>
> I have tested this system both my local flying field here in PHX (Sun 
> Valley) as well as flying foamies and such in my yard and local parks.
>
> The system has been 10000% glitch free. I can't find anything in the 
> system that responds differently than my 10X. Response time is faster than 
> PCM, the resolution is excellent, better than anything out there currently 
> for any of the radios systems. There is nothing about this system that is 
> below outstanding. Basically the system solves  two very important 
> problems we have in modeling today:
>
> #1 No frequency control issues. There is no frequency pin needed and you 
> would not even know which one to choose because the system picks a 
> frequency that is open when you turn it on. Don't get shot down again. 
> This system can operate with like 80 different TX's all at the same time 
> and no interference issues. This will make the frequency pin obsolete! The 
> system boots up about 3-5secs and picks a frequency not being used. It 
> then tells the RX what channel to listen too and you are done. You don't 
> even know what channel you are flying on and it doesn't matter either. 
> Another TX turns and scans the air and picks another frequency and uses 
> it. Its totally user friendly...Basically you just turn it on and its 
> working. It has a Failsafe safety feature than can be programmed when you 
> "Bind" the RX to the TX. This Failsafe works just like PCM failsafe. The 
> Binding process is how you tell the RX "who's your daddy" This process 
> takes about 20secs and from then on the RX will only listen to your TX. If 
> a buddy wants to fly it with his TX....just 20 secs later after you tell 
> "who's the daddy" its now listening only to that TX. We have all been at 
> an event with the foamy flying at night and the call for frequency is 
> heard from the other end of the parking lot or pits. This is never a 
> concern again with the Spektrum System from JR and Horizon Hobby.
>
>
>
> #2 Model generated interference is not an issue. I have tried using this 
> system on regular brushed electric powered models sometimes in this 
> environment you can get a glitch or the likes running PPM (FM) systems. 
> This new 2.4Ghz system eliminates this problem. Its like PCM in that it 
> rejects bad stuff and keeps the good stuff. From my understanding model 
> generated RF problems like brushed motors, metal to metal contact (drives 
> FM stuff nuts), ignition systems, and the likes....this new 2.4ghz stuff 
> is way above those model generated interference frequencies.
>
> I love the system. I know Horizon has spent a huge amount of time testing 
> and evaluating this system. It is a revolution in RC.
>
> We have been basically flying on the same types of signals since I have 
> been involved in RC in 1981. The one big weakness with our 72mhz system in 
> my mind is no matter how good your equipment is, not matter how much you 
> have invested in a model, no matter what TX you have 14MZ, 10X or the 
> likes a shoot down can happen with a attack4 AM radio. The result of a 
> mistake in the pits or parking lot can cost you your model. A simple 
> mistake by an experienced or new modeler can cost any of us our models 
> with previous systems.
>
> We have all heard of the stories about getting shot down.
>
> Well this system is the first step to eliminate this problem! I can say 
> its been eliminated on this 6 channel radio system. Next step is for big 
> radios.
> The RX's are cheap about $60. They are light about 7-8g (6channel RX)and 
> the RX has 2 different antennae. They are about 3-4" long...so no more 
> stringing the extra out the tail of the model. There are lots of other 
> advantages in this new technology. All this and the same high quality 
> stuff that JR produces with the 72mhz stuff.
>
> This radio system is priced and setup for the park flyers, but its only a 
> matter of time and we all will be benefiting from this stuff. Besides as 
> said above making this system available for a good price to the everyday 
> modeler where it is needed is the first step to really change the way we 
> fly our models.
>
>
> If you guys have any questions I would be happy to answer them. My 
> experience with the system has been absolutely flawless and I know others 
> have had the same. This stuff is ready for prime time and its going change 
> things in a huge way.
>
> Troy Newman
> Team JR
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