Awesome 2.4 radio promotion at 2008 RDRC Fly-for-Tots!

[RobertV]

I've been in this hobby more than 30 years and have seen it change drastically across that timeframe. And the last ten years have been amazing. Large and complex aircraft are now more the norm than the unusual. And we all manage to find our "space" to enjoy our flying machines amidst the ever-expanding hustle and bustle of life in these modern times. But I think that each of can share a story of "that flying field that was lost" to development or encroachment resulting from the natural expansion of virtually every city. We just relocate farther from the city limits and continue our fun until the cycle repeats. This sceanario occurs on vastly different scales for different clubs. But it does occur. It's called progress.

What does this have to do with the thread title? Well, I've been right in the middle of a similar trend that is less obvious or, in reality, invisible. Think about your RC endeavors to date and you'll follow me better. Have you ever experienced RF interference? Did you know where it came from? I have been fortunate to use very good equipment over the years and it has served me very well. Before PCM radios, we all had glitches at some point and they were certainly noticeable as a "jerky", uncommanded aircraft motion that compromised the flight path with often bad results. Then, with the onset of PCM, "hold" and "failsafe" software features could effectively mask short duration uplink issues and give us time to fly through them if they were more lengthy. The state of the art was good and we flew with confidence while realizing that things still occasionaly happen. I once lost a turbine jet at a well-run event where a pilot inadvertantly turned on his radio without the frequency pin. And I have been subjected and witness to countless experiences of varying levels of radio related problems. Some were avoidable and some were unexplained. But it was the acceptable norm.

What we fail to really put into perspective is that progress in land development as noted above is probably outpaced by progess in telecommunications and on-air data transfer. Sure, the FCC manages all of this, but face it folks, commerce will always take precedence over our relatively obscure hobby. Here's a case in point that puts it all into perspective. At a Spring event at our RDRC flying site, we had never-before-experienced 72 mhz interference issues that accounted for several crashes. This was an eye opener and showed just how quickly outside factors could affect our RC bliss. A talented team of experts was dispatched right after the event to identify and fix any potential problem in the area. They concluded that some interaction between two nearby transmitting stations was the source and worked delicately with them to resolve issues with their equipment. Subsequent long term recording of scans across our frequency band documented the positive effects of their efforts. We were fortunate.

Things like this can happen any place at any time. But fortunately we have a recourse that can eliminate the uncertainty - 2.4 ghz radios! I didn't mention that those who used 2.4 could fly with zero fear at the event where 72 mhz suddenly became questionable. Many in the club and surrounding clubs saw the value in this technology and have been flying with obvious "invincibility" after purchasing their own. This is the new state-of-the-art that allows us to safely and confidently operate our RC flying machines in this fast paced world.

[RobertV]

Having experienced all of this with my fellow RDRC club members first hand, I "worry" somewhat for those who still use 72 mhz equipment. As you can imagine, we don't ever want to experience the crashes that we saw at our Spring event ever again. Sure, our problems of that weekend were addressed but none of us at ANY flying site can honestly say that it will never happen there. We can't really control our destiny with 72 mhz equipment. But we can with 2.4 ghz radios.

So, we have taken a proactive approach to making a difference at our site. Our high profile RDRC Fly-for-Tots event (www.flyfortots.com) will attract 200 or so pilots and we have arranged an unusual opportunity for them to study 2.4 ghz systems, see them in action, and purchase one if they so desire with some interesting twists.

I would like to officially announce the EXCLUSIVE 2008 RDRC Fly-for-Tots:

[RobertV]

This is entirely the brainchild of RDRC members! We contacted Horizon Hobby management with our ideas and they were very supportive of our plans. RDRC is sincerely appreciative of this support from our industry.

We thought about why people don't use 2.4 and then devised a plan to offer them some support in each of those areas. This is how it is intended to work:

1. Equipment Knowledge - Horizon Hobby will have a staffed booth on site at the event with the full range of JR and Spektrum DSM equipment on display. Note that there will be ground-up 2.4 ghz radios in all price ranges plus DSM modules to fit 72 mhz JR, Futaba and other brands for pilots to inspect, hold, and get questions answered about.

2. On-Site Sales - Several hobby dealers to include East RC, Hobby Masters, KC Hobby, and Toy Town Hobbies will have sales booths stocked with a full range of 2.4 ghz JR and Spektrum DSM equipment. They will also have Futaba systems.

3. On-Site RX Sales Promotion - Horizon Hobby has graciously offered to provide a free "extra" receiver to those who purchase a JR/Spektrum system plus one extra receiver from one of the dealers at the event. This is the same well acknowledged "free RX for each additional one you buy with every Radio or Module system purchase" (max. of two free RX's per sale) promotion that they advertised in recent months but that has since expired for the general RC population. This particular offer is exclusive to Fly-for-Tots customers only! The Horizon booth will have a stock of RX's on-site. Simply bring your sales receipt from one of the on-site hobby vendors to get your free RX(s)!

4. Installation and Use Assistance - The on-site staff at the Horizon booth, the hobby dealers, several "Team JR/Horizon" & "Team Futaba" pilots, and several RDRC members in attendance will be available to help you install and get your equipment operational so that you can use it then and there!

So whether you have been "walking the fence" about purchasing 2.4 equipment or have strong reasons for resisting it, this will be a good opportunity to get a first hand look at many options, have your questions answered, and/or voice your opinions. Hopefully, you will see the benefits that it offers and gain the understanding you need on-site.

RDRC is proud to pioneer this concept at their Fly-for-Tots event! And we would like to thank our sponsors and local dealers for helping make it all happen.

[50%plane]

Robert,

That is awesome! I can't wait for the FFT!


Chris

[Geckoman]

2. On-Site Sales - Several hobby dealers to include East RC, Hobby Masters, KC Hobby, and Toy Town Hobbies will have sales booths stocked with a full range of 2.4 ghz JR and Spektrum DSM equipment. They will also have Futaba systems.

RDRC is proud to pioneer this concept at their Fly-for-Tots event! And we would like to thank our sponsors and local dealers for helping make it all happen.[/quote]

WOW!!! That is impressive Mr Vess!! and is an incredible chance to all of us to look and try out the different radios!

YAY FFT!!!!

[toprudder]

I think this is a great opportunity for those who have been dragging their feet going to 2.4ghz.

I am in the process of converting everything I have over to 2.4ghz (Futaba). While there was a definite problem identified and corrected earlier this year, the incidents of 72mhz interference still seems to be more than it was a couple of years ago. This is not only at our field (RDRC) but others in the area as well. Lets face it, we are SECONDARY users of the 72mhz band. Others are primary users, and even though they are supposed to be spaced in-between our frequecies, they can operate at much higher power, which does not bode well for our continued use of the band.

I started flying 2.4ghz early this year, and have had ZERO problems. I have peace-of-mind that I never did, mainly because I know that no one can turn on and shoot me down. When I go to an event, I know I don't have to worry about frequency conflicts and having to wait for the pin.

The "buy one, get one free" offer is great. I just wish Futaba would do the same.

Bob R.

[anthonyw]

Please remember to stock plenty of non-amplified y-harnesses for those that may plan to convert at the event.

[Edge 540]

	Quote: Originally Posted by anthonyw
	Please remember to stock plenty of non-amplified y-harnesses for those that may plan to convert at the event.

Why? I can't think of any application that would require an extra y harness for 2.4 and not 72.

Edit: Ok nevermind. If you replace amplified y's that were already in the model that makes sense.

[RobertV]

	Quote: Originally Posted by anthonyw
	Please remember to stock plenty of non-amplified y-harnesses for those that may plan to convert at the event.

Why do you say that, Anthony? I guess we can smile about it now.

He had several amplified Y's in a jet at the Mid Atlantic Jet Rally this year and was changing over to 2.4 there. When I noticed that, I informed him that these new systems were not compatible with that particular hardware. The official bulletin from Horizon Hobby on the subject is here.

Thanks for giving pilots a "heads up", Anthony.

[Larry Lewis]

Who uses Amplified Y-Harnesses these day? Oh,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, you were! LOL
Sorry Buddy,,,,just couldnt resist a poke at ya!

On a serious note, this really is a great deal for everyone looking to switch. We're primed and ready to assist all those who want to make the switch, AT the event itself if needed.

Bob, very good post, and well put. It's not just our field running in to more RF issues, but hundreds across the country. AMA reports they cant even keep the loaner scanners at headquarters itself. As soon as a club is finished with it, it gets shipped directly to another on the waiting list. As Robert V. said over dinner last night, 2.4 technology couldnt have come a a better time for us. If it hadnt, this hobby might very well be serious trouble now.
There is a lot of excitement brewing amoung local modelers concerning this awesome deal Horizon/ LHS/ RDRC Members are putting forth. We hope all those visiting us from for the 2008 FFT will take advantage of this deal as well.

[fireman7875]

Wow, all I can say is this is classic RDRC! What progressive, outside the box thinking. This will be a phenomenal opportunity for anyone to switch to 2.4. I will admit that I was very hesitant about switching. I was skeptical that such short antennae would be reliable over such long distances. Now that I have switched, I can honestly say that it was the best purchase that I have ever made in RC! I have had absolutely no issues whatsoever with any equipment and I can rest assured that when I fly, I won't be shot down and I won't shoot anyone else down. I fly electric, glow and gas with the same radio and haven't had any interference even from the gassers.

I was at the RDRC spring fun fly and experienced the radio interference that Robert talked about first hand. It caused the crash of my GP Giant Stick. The interference completely took over the plane and there was no "flying out" of it. I had no control whatsoever. Fortunately, I was able to rebuild my plane and it is still flying. Others weren't so lucky. That situation made me think very seriously about safety when flying. What if the same thing happened closer to the pits or spectator area? It could have been a disaster! Forget the loss of a model; there could be a loss of limb or worse, life! That crash reinforced my decision to purchase a 2.4 system and I have almost finished converting all my planes. I simply looked at it as a safety precaution and bit the bullet.

To Larry, Robert and everyone involved thanks for taking the radio issue at the field so seriously and trying to locate and correct the problem. Thanks also for putting together a great event (FFT) and giving back to the community. I can't wait to be there!

Brian

[fixedwing71]

	Quote: Originally Posted by toprudder
	I think this is a great opportunity for those who have been dragging their feet going to 2.4ghz. I am in the process of converting everything I have over to 2.4ghz (Futaba). While there was a definite problem identified and corrected earlier this year, the incidents of 72mhz interference still seems to be more than it was a couple of years ago. This is not only at our field (RDRC) but others in the area as well. Lets face it, we are SECONDARY users of the 72mhz band. Others are primary users, and even though they are supposed to be spaced in-between our frequecies, they can operate at much higher power, which does not bode well for our continued use of the band. I started flying 2.4ghz early this year, and have had ZERO problems. I have peace-of-mind that I never did, mainly because I know that no one can turn on and shoot me down. When I go to an event, I know I don't have to worry about frequency conflicts and having to wait for the pin. The "buy one, get one free" offer is great. I just wish Futaba would do the same. Bob R.

First off, let me say "thanks" to RDRC for putting together this opportunity for 72 MHz pilots. I still have a ways to go and most likely plan to pick up a few 2.4 GHz receivers while I'm there. I was very leery of jumping on the 2.4 GHz bandwagon, but I'll admit it was the Spring RDRC event that made me finally start converting. I've never, ever had a problem with 72 MHz PPM but the combination of RDRC's Spring event and the upcoming Febrary 2009 analog shutoff made me realize this problem is only going to get worse as time goes along. IMHBCO, converting from 72 MHz to 2.4 GHz is not a matter of IF, but WHEN. I've got 6 planes converted to 2.4 GHz, with 6 more to go.

Unfortunately, converting 12 airplanes to 2.4 GHz is far from cheap. 12 airplanes x $100/receiver is $1200, a very expensive endeavor. It's hardly "dragging my feet"; it just takes time at $100/receiver when 12 planes are involved. And I'm like you... I'm a Futaba flyer and wish they, too, would have a buy-one-get-one-free promo...

[scalefreak]

Awesome stuff! You can always count on Horizon to be a heavy contributor within the modeling community!

[Geckoman]

	Quote: Originally Posted by toprudder
	I think this is a great opportunity for those who have been dragging their feet going to 2.4ghz. I am in the process of converting everything I have over to 2.4ghz (Futaba). While there was a definite problem identified and corrected earlier this year, the incidents of 72mhz interference still seems to be more than it was a couple of years ago. This is not only at our field (RDRC) but others in the area as well. Lets face it, we are SECONDARY users of the 72mhz band. Others are primary users, and even though they are supposed to be spaced in-between our frequecies, they can operate at much higher power, which does not bode well for our continued use of the band. I started flying 2.4ghz early this year, and have had ZERO problems. I have peace-of-mind that I never did, mainly because I know that no one can turn on and shoot me down. When I go to an event, I know I don't have to worry about frequency conflicts and having to wait for the pin. The "buy one, get one free" offer is great. I just wish Futaba would do the same. Bob R.

AT the moment Airtronics are including TWO rx's in with the TX for the same price!!

wish that was on when I bought mine

ah well

Dave L.

[scalefreak]

I just got my grubby paws on a fresh 9303 2.4 that I am itching to plug into something. Maybe I'll bind my Vapor to it just so I can get on with it.