Radios

[daisycutter]

How do u guys use 4/6 channel airplane radios for subs? Do you just change the x-tal or is there more than that?

[Arorr]

I'm not sure how they're using the radios for subs but one thing i do know is you can't "just" change the crystal in a 72mhz radio, you aren't even supposed to change the channel from that you bought the radio with. The radio itself has to be retuned, if you want to change a channel safely, that's also why they say to use the radio's manufacture's crystals or atleast crystals made for that radio. the crystals basically give a reference frequency for the radio to use to set the exact frequency.

so in short if you want to change a 72mhz radio into a 75mhz radio, you need to know a bit about electronics and frequencies and such. if it is at all possible to do.

[Nemo]

R/C subs use standard surface frequency radios. I use an Airtronics VG600 6-channel radio in my 1:32 Nautilus.

Freshwater penetration is good in excess of thirty feet, but contaminants like sale and chlorine significantly affect range.

There's a brief FAQ on my site at RC Sub.com (http://www.rc-sub.com) under "RC Submarines".

Hope this helps.

[daisycutter]

Arorr, Nemo, thanks for your replies.... Arorr, i've read before in the radios forums that you cant just swap the crystal and have a different frequency, but if you cant then why have the crystals removable from outside the casing
? I think this forum would be better off in the radios forums, but how do you get surface frequencies with aircraft radios? :confused:

[Arorr]

hehe that is a good question, about how easy it is to swap crystals, atleast for the 72MHZ radios, on the 75MHZ I understand they're made a little different because of the racing and the fewer channels allotted, so you can swap them. but as far as converting a 72mhz into a 75mhz radio, i personally wouldn't do it, it's not worth the time and the effort considering Airtronics makes a 6 channel surface radio you can get for $169-$189 at http://www.rcboats.com/radiosystems.html not a bad price for a 6 channel radio if you ask me.