MAJOR 2.4 Ghz Spread Spectrum Release! A FlyingGiants Exclusive!

[coloradoz]

You'd have to go back a LOT further than 20 years - the telescoping antenna has been around at least 50 or more years. For R/C use - as we kind of know it now - the telescoping antenna was already a tried and true technology. My issue is not with technology. The problem I see is with the packaging and in this particular case, the issue is that small SMA connector to wire connection - wasn't designed to withstand mechanical stress no matter how much heat shrink you put on it. Simple repackaging makes the previously referred to "interim solution" more usable than a stop gap - in fact quite usable and durable.

[Shakes]

50 year, 20 years, my point still stands.
If mishandled, as you propose with your scenario in which the module packaging is inadequate, a telescoping antenna will bend and potentially break by being sat on, collision with other objects, collision with propeller (who hasn't almost done that?!), and in some case even bent while extending or collapsing. After all, it makes a great lightning rod as well.

Another downside is that a collapsable antenna can lend itself to be problematic if the user/operator does not remember to extend the antenna - which can result in a dangerous crash.

[dsnyder]

I was just going to talk about the fail safe on another thread so I'll talk about that here too. For the AR7000 receiver (which is what comes with the DX7) it is set so that the throttle channel fail safe position is stored during the binding process and all other channels are set to hold last position in the event of signal loss. This we call Smart Safe.

The new AR9000 receiver has 2 modes available. It has the Smart Safe as one option, which to set this you bind the receiver normally (leaving the bind plug in the receiver until it completes the binding process). It also has a 'conventional' mode where all channels will be set to fail safe and the positions are stored during binding. To get into this mode, after you power up the receiver with the bind plug installed, the light begins to flash. Before you turn on the TX in bind mode, you remove the bind plug from the receiver and then power up the TX in bind mode. In both cases you will need to hold the channels in the fail safe positions desired through the whole binding procedure. In Smart Safe mode, only the throttle channel will be set to fail safe, in conventional mode all channels will be set to fail safe. And that applies only to the AR9000 receiver.

The system will work with multiple models (as far as setting up multiple aircraft) the same as the system you are currently using.

In regards to using Spektrum systems with other frequency hopping systems together, the Spektrum system uses a wide band channel and locks on to 2 frequencies. Frequency hopping systems use very narrow band channels and only 'hop' on to a channel for a very brief moment (4ms or so). Because frequency hopping systems use such a narrow band in relation to the Spektrum system, and only for a very brief time, it will only occupy a very slim portion of a Spektrum channel (if there is a collision) and the Spektrum system will easily ignore that and work as if nothing happened. Also with the GUID code of the Spektrum system, if there is another signal on the same channel, the other signals will be ignored.

I hope that answers the questions.

[Judge]

So how many Spektrum radios, XLS/XPS equipped radios, and Futaba FASST radios can we have flying at one time??

Most flying fields limit the number to 5 or 6 at a time. This seems not to be a problem. How many do the IRCHA Jamboree or the Joe Nall allow at a time? More than 10?? 20?

At the very largest glider contests I have seen 25 to 30 planes in the air at a time. This gets limited by launches and available landing zones.

It still seems like this is within the max SS allows.

But what is the theoretical maximum???? Be kind of interesting to know.

[madmax]

Mr. Judge, if memory serves me well, I believe the recommended limit is 40. It is my understanding the published limit is set with an incredible safety buffer in place, and I do not think we're going to see anyone from HH or Spektrum recommending otherwise. I have heard that the theoretical maximum is far beyond 40.

[dsnyder]

There are 80 channels that Spektrum uses, and each Spektrum aircraft system uses 2 channels, so the maximum is 40 users using Spektrum. I don't know what other brands might have as limitations.

[Roll'nCircles]

I want to thank Paul Beard for having the vision & desire to drag our sorry butts out of the dark ages and into the 21st century of RC Aeronautics!

Thanks, Paul

this is an exciting time for RC

[aerobob]

My FIRST post on Flying Giants. Been reading a LONG time; you guys enjoy the game, for sure!!!

It's fitting my first contribution be to this 2.4 thread.

I was one of the "early adopters" of the DX7, and a career-committed JR loyal user, who SOLD every 72 Mhz piece of gear in my shop within a week of getting the DX 7.
I really believed that we wouldn't see modules, and that **IF** we did, they would be limited to frame and feature rates of a PPM JR 10X....

Sure enough!

Do I feel slightly "abused" by this marketing decision? Yeah, a little bit.
BUT - knowing that a "ground up" DX system, of 9 or more channels will be operating at the DX 7 rates..... I feel a LOT better about my choice.

I also had to remind myself this morning that selling my 10X WAS "my choice". I'm really hoping that a DX 9 is out there on a Horizon somewhere

[Flyinrazrback]

Great news, I just placed my backorder at Horizon for a setup.

[madmax]

Paul, thanks for the props! Regarding Paul Beard -- I can't say enough good things about this cat, and of course the other fine folks within the Spektrum Organization. Paul and I have been at all of the same events this past year and I've gotten to know him very well. He's not only the brains behind this technology, but a damn fine character who's always got a smile on his face, and a blast to hang out with. He's always up for a phone interview, and a major supporter of our efforts on FlyingGiants (I know you're reading this buddy!).

Little known fact, Paul is one hell of a stick in the shank bone world, and the consumate modeler. I think we've finally coersed him into turning into a planker - this is gonna get good. Word is on the street that he has recently aquired a QQ 102.

On behalf of The FlyingGiants community of modeling friends, thanks Mr. B.

[Judge]

	Quote: Originally Posted by dsnyder
	There are 80 channels that Spektrum uses, and each Spektrum aircraft system uses 2 channels, so the maximum is 40 users using Spektrum. I don't know what other brands might have as limitations.

I know about the 40 plane limit for Spektrum. But say there are 40 Spektrums in operation. Can the Futaba and XPS systems be used then as well? I mean, say we wanted to have 120 (or more) flying at the same time, could we?? (40 for each system).

[dsnyder]

The Futaba system shouldn't have any effect on the Spektrum system for numbers. I don't know anything of how the XPS system is supposed to operate so I can't comment.