Spektrum Range Check

[CCDave]

I am new to the 2.4GHz world and I am having trouble getting a good range check.

I read through the manual, but forgot it at home while I was at the field to range check. I remembered 90 feet, but forgot or missed the part about "Facing the Plane".

My question is how critical is it that you face the plane, ie the your body not between the radio and the plane?

I couldn't get 20 feet if my body was between the plane and radio. Later tests seems to do ok while facing it.

I will be testing more tomorrow, but I wanted to try to get some feedback also...

[drewbags]

To the best of my knowledge you should be facing the plane, that's how I do mine; with the bind button depressed you are reducing the output power of the Tx by a lot.

[sweetpea]

If you put your body between the plane and TX range will be reduced. 2.4 doesn't go through things like trees, water and bodies very well. So press the bind button while doing the range check (this reduces power output) walk your 90 paces. Then have the holder rotate the plane around 360 stopping every 90 degrees. Helps if the motor is running as well.

If you have the data logger use it here as well. It will give you an idea of the signal strength. But one note. 2.4 on ground level is different than 2.4 in the air. With systems like Spektrum and FASST not much of an issue with 2.4 saturation as they have ways to deal with 2.4 high traffic areas. But 2.4 is an air based freq, not a ground based so typically the ground check won't be as bad as the air....but depends again on how high the model sits of the ground and the 2.4 traffic in your area.

[CCDave]

I do have a data logger. Today I am going to perform the entire test while facing the plane then check the log.

Previously, I would test it much like I would with 72MHz, press the bind button (Collapse the antenna for 72MHz) and start walking.

I think many of the fades and holds might be coming as I am holding the TX in front of me while walking away from the plane.

It would certainly ease my mind if someone here had experienced the samething... It would make that first flight on 2.4 a little less nerve racking.

[Bunky F. Knuckle]

I have always walked my 30 paces, equiv. to about 90' with the Tx at my side, antenna facing away from the aircraft. Get to you point, and turn and face the aircraft and press the bind button. Have the assistant rotate the a/c 360*

I have also left the a/c stationary, and walked 180* around the front of the a/c at my 30 pace distance.

With these checks, I haven't seen any large numbers...... Check the logger and then I fly for about 4 minutes and then check with the logger again. Nothing major leaps out at me, then I continue to fly again for another 6 minutes to finish my 10 minute flight.

[sweetpea]

	Quote: Originally Posted by CCDave
	I do have a data logger. Today I am going to perform the entire test while facing the plane then check the log. Previously, I would test it much like I would with 72MHz, press the bind button (Collapse the antenna for 72MHz) and start walking. I think many of the fades and holds might be coming as I am holding the TX in front of me while walking away from the plane. It would certainly ease my mind if someone here had experienced the samething... It would make that first flight on 2.4 a little less nerve racking.

I have seen larger numbers if walk away from the plane with your body between the transmitter and plane. Just walk with it to the side. Also rotate the plane.....just a nose on isn't good enough as that typically only the approach aspect.

[bodywerks]

But dont allow your assistant to get in between you and the plane, as their body will likely cause fades or frame losses.

[Bunky F. Knuckle]

	Quote: Originally Posted by bodywerks
	But dont allow your assistant to get in between you and the plane, as their body will likely cause fades or frame losses.

RIGHT!!!!!!

[ljaganna]

I have used the data logger after a flight, and I have always had very low numbers....like 4-10 fades per antenna, and zero frame losses(so zero holds as well). My on the ground range checks generally had higher fades per antenna...often 50-100 per antenna at about 100-120feet with the bind button pressed.

As long as on ground range check shows <10 frame losses, I fly and do a short 5min flight and not fly very far out...then check the data logger...a confidence building measure. Haven't seen an issue, since all my post-flight data logger readings have been really good....even when I make my 40% really small in the sky.

[CCDave]

Thanks for the responses guys!

I did another range check last night exactly per the instructions and it passed without any frame losses or holds. very low numbers on the fades.

It looks like I am in business!