Newcomers
32 Hollandbush Ct., St. Charles MO 63304
BECAUSE THIS is a newcomers column I try to address Radio Control (RC)-equipment issues every few years. A period of "every few years" is about right to catch changes in the marketplace, regulations, trends, etc. Guess what? This is the end of another "few years."
The last time I fully treated this subject was in early 1991. I spent considerable space writing about equipment that began its life before the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) assignment of the frequencies within the 72 MHz (megahertz) band we currently operate on. For long-timers it may seem incredible, but the current frequency allocation occurred in 1982—20 years ago! Let's take a look at some significant dates within that time frame.
March 1, 1982: The current allotment of 50 72 MHz frequencies is put in place by the FCC. Only even channel numbers are operated to facilitate the use of the seven "old" frequencies that were in place previously and grandfathered until 1987.
January 1, 1991: All old-numbered frequencies are phased in with plans to allow older equipment to continue to be operated with certain restrictions and identification.
March 1, 1993: By FCC regulation, all transmitters sold had to be "narrowband," or capable of operating in the present environment and frequency spacing.
March 8, 1998: Older, non-narrowband transmitters are no longer legal to operate.
Within this time frame, actions were also taken to allow the conversion of older transmitters to a narrowband format, and guidelines were developed to help assure that transmitters and receivers could operate safely in the ever more-crowded radio-frequency environment.
Why give this thumbnail history? Because there are still many units in the field that were "born" before—or in the early stages of—this transition period. These units show up at swap shops, club meetings, etc. and are sold to newcomers.
If you are tempted to purchase older, used equipment, you must exercise caution, or you are liable to wind up with a unit that is dangerous to use in the current radio environment. Here are some questions to ask and considerations to make before purchasing older equipment.
- Is the brand offered still being sold? If not, find out whether it can be serviced and by whom.
- If manufactured before 1993, does the transmitter carry a small, gold sticker with the letters "RCMA/AMA"?
- If the answer to the preceding question is yes, was it manufactured as "narrowband" or was it "narrowbanded" at a later time?
- Is the receiver narrowband? Many older, updated transmitters have been mated to a newer aftermarket receiver. Check to see if the receiver sticker states that it is narrowband, but be aware that some very early amplitude modulation (AM) receivers were marginal.
- Have the batteries been charged regularly? The cost of batteries could add up to a cost roughly equal to one-third the cost of a new set.
- Has the unit been in a crash? Perhaps that question should be "How often has the unit been in a crash?"
- Has it been serviced regularly? How frequently? Radio development is at a point where the "computer radios" that carry an internal battery for memory are beyond the useful life of those batteries. Crystal-controlled equipment also has a tendency to drift off frequency as it ages.
- Is the system modulation AM, FM (frequency modulation), PCM (pulse code modulation), or PPM (pulse position modulation)? If it's AM and the unit was made in the 1980s, be very careful! Check to see if the receiver is "dual conversion." If so, fine. If not, proceed with caution—especially if the receiver doesn't indicate that it is narrowband.
One manufacturer uses a different format from dual conversion and fully meets the necessary guidelines. The term "ABC&W" has been used to denote that.
- Do not purchase or operate a unit on the amateur ("Ham") bands—50 or 53 MHz—unless you possess a valid amateur license. Operation on these frequencies by an unlicensed individual is a violation of federal regulations.
If you are licensed for the six-meter band, check to see if you can locate an instructor who is also a Ham operator. A ruling by the FCC in 1980 states that an unlicensed individual may operate two-way communication equipment under the immediate supervision of a licensed individual, but the same condition does not exist for RC operation.
- Equipment operating on 27 MHz is legal; however, care needs to be exercised because of possible interference from CB (citizen band) operations.
So you've decided to buy new equipment. You can set aside the issue of whether it is narrowband or not. Look to see if it carries an FCC identification sticker with the certification number. If it doesn't, check with the manufacturer to see if the equipment has undergone FCC certification.
But what should you buy? The last time I wrote about this subject, there were complete systems that sold within the range of $100 to more than $1,000. The range has been lowered through the development of very inexpensive systems for the type of model known as the "park flyer." These smaller, slow, "micro" systems are fine for the smallest models, but the very small receivers (the size of a postage stamp) and ultralight servos are limited in their range and response.
If you are considering equipment for larger models, the operational limits of the various components are important. Most transmitter/receiver combinations have a limited range. A number of the micro servos have limited output torque, making them unsuitable for heavier, faster models.
- How many channels should I get? Consider the radio a long-term investment and choose accordingly.
Radio channel functions are like engine horsepower; you can't use what you don't have! And trying to tell you what you'll have to get more is costly.
Radio-channel functions fall into two different modes — I or II — with two control sticks.
The largest number of sets are sold in mode II. In that configuration the elevator and aileron are on the right stick, and rudder and throttle are on the left. In mode I the elevator and aileron are on separate sticks. The purpose is to minimize the interaction between the two since they are the ones primarily used in flight.
Modulation? I'm not getting into a technical discussion of the forms of modulation. You will find very strong preferences in the field regarding whether you should buy AM, FM, PCM, etc. As set prices progress in price, they shift more from AM to FM and so forth.
The implication clearly becomes that one form of signal modulation is better than another. More often than not, the "better than another" consideration centers on the freedom from interference.
For general purposes you are looking for a good, solid radio link between the transmitter in your hands and the receiver in the model. This can be achieved with any of the modulation forms.
How much should I spend? This is an impossible question to answer. Perhaps you need to ask how much you have available to spend.
The newcomer often feels reluctant to invest too much money because he or she is not certain that the hobby/sport will "take." As a result, his or her first impulse is to spend as little as possible. Does it seem logical to skimp on the radio system? Remember that that's what is going to get the $250 model and engine you spent many hours putting together up and down safely!
Don't let the radio system be an afterthought. It's an investment that, more likely than not, will long outlive the airplane.
What about "channels"? First of all, understand that the term "channel" as applied to the full system is used in the radio spectrum; the FCC sorted modelers into the use of the 72 MHz range. Each frequency was then assigned a channel number from 11 to 60. They are much easier to remember that way.
Most manufacturers place the channel designation, not the frequency, on the equipment stickers. It really is a good idea to memorize both of these for use at the field.
I was called upon to mediate a "debate" when a modeler's airplane was shot down because two models were on the same frequency. It seems that the two parties involved didn't communicate in the same language and failed to recognize that channel 40 is the same as 72.25 MHz. They do now!
Check with the local club, and find out which frequency is least used. Check with the local hobby shop as well for any help it can provide. If there are high-powered industrial transmitting towers in the area, steer clear of the frequencies on either side of theirs. You may have a problem trying to identify their frequency; however, local clubs may have already monitored and learned what is in the area.
What about brand names? This is another impossible question to answer. You've gone through this routine when purchasing other things. When you were in the market for a refrigerator, the neighbor on your right swore by a General Electric® while the neighbor on your left swore by a General Electric®!
The use of a certain radio brand in any given area is usually driven by two factors: what the expert (or instructor) at the field recommends and what the local hobby shop stocks. These tend to be interrelated. From time to time, radio systems are reported about in magazines such as MODEL AVIATION; but, however, there is no standardized format or comparative figure.
There are factors you need to consider beyond cost. Availability of repair facilities is important. Try to find out how long it takes for equipment turnaround, especially during the summer months. If it takes a couple of months, that might amount to a big percentage of the flying season in some parts of the United States.
How about parts availability? Can you pick up a switch harness at your local hobby shop?
What about interchangeability with other brands?
As a newcomer, many of the extras or some systems may not be needed for your flying. Such things as function mixing and a snap-on button are good examples.
On the other hand, servo-reversing switches are very handy when setting up a model. Rate switches, although not a necessity, can be useful — even for a newcomer. Low rates can be used on the rudder during takeoff to cut down on the problem of overcontrol.
A two-position "flaperon" radio? There are a number of more entry-level radios in this format. They do offer some excellent advantages, not the least of which is the ability to store in their memory setups for more than one model.
The price for this type of radio has come down significantly in the past few years, so you should consider it. It just don't become so enamored with playing with the transmitter that you forget to build and fly the model!
Finally, there are probably a host of other questions you'd like to ask about radios. Please understand that the world of the radio wave is dynamic. The impact of communication development on our lives in general has been very dramatic. This is true in the hobby/sports as well. Five years is a lifetime in some ways. The FCC often uses that time frame to denote complete equipment separations.
As a newcomer, you probably don't feel the need to be on the cutting edge of technology. A good, solid, dependable system that helps you steer your model through the air is your primary concern now.
Ask many questions, and weigh the responses carefully. In the final analysis, one of the best guides for you is to carefully observe what is being used successfully at the local site. That, combined with your future goals, will help you know what direction to take.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
