Hello and a Radio Range Problem

[ArmadaleBoy]

Hi All,

First up, just like to say hello to you all. I've been following the
group for a while. I'm in Armadale, Perth, Western Australia and am
currently looking for an RC club to join...

In the meantime, I race my cars around my 2.5 acres of land... great
fun! :)

I've got a really weird problem for you all... My on road car (a
Kyosho) has a really weird problem in that it starts beautifully but
you only have about a four foot range with the radio before it becomes
unresponsive... I've tried the following...

- New crystal transmitter and receiver.
- Different Controller
- New batteries in Controller and in Car
- Pulling hair out...

Really weird. I know the radio works because it works fine with my
other cars. I know that the crystal works.

I read somewhere about interference that can occur.

Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated and if anyone's
coming to Perth... drop me an email. Love to hear from ya.

Adam.

[Billy Bad Assr©]

Antenna wire! - how is it set up?

What model transmitter/receiver set are you using?

What band are you sing?



BBA

[ArmadaleBoy]

Hi Billy,

Thanks for the really quick response.

Okay... here's the lowdown...

The car is a Kyosho Peugeot 405.

I have tried two transmitters...
- Futaba MJ T2PHKA
- Futaba Magnum Sport

The receiver is a Futaba FP R1225

I have tried two crystals. One on frequency 40.835, the other on
27.195MHz.

The transmission and reception do seem to work... just only within four
foot :(

The car is a standard layout with the aerial coming from the receiver
box then up through a hole in the frame and into a "straw" which takes
it straight up out of the body and up for about 3/4 of a foot.
Hope this helps.

Adam.

[Billy Bad Assr©]

Answers inline
> Thanks for the really quick response.
>
> Okay... here's the lowdown...
>
> The car is a Kyosho Peugeot 405.



not sure - I believe that's a gasser!


> I have tried two transmitters...
> - Futaba MJ T2PHKA
> - Futaba Magnum Sport
>
> The receiver is a Futaba FP R1225



Are you switching the receiver packs when switching transmitter/freq?



> I have tried two crystals. One on frequency 40.835, the other on
> 27.195MHz.





27.195MHz. = AM #5/Green -


> The transmission and reception do seem to work... just only within four
> foot :(
>
> The car is a standard layout with the aerial coming from the receiver
> box then up through a hole in the frame and into a "straw" which takes
> it straight up out of the body and up for about 3/4 of a foot.
> Hope this helps.
>

Perhaps a neighbor is using a high powered transmitter with a heavy frequency
bleed over

..Or possibly a servo is creating inference - try swapping servos - if that doesn
't do the trick - try wrapping the exhaust manifold with some tin foil or
aluminum foil - if the tin foil method works - either something is loose or
perhaps something is wrapped around crankshaft >> bell-housing!



-
BBA
°?°
RMRL FAQ -- http://www.faqs.org/faqs/models/rc-cars/newbie-guide/
BBA's RC Site - http://www.billybadassrc.com
When Privacy Matters -- http://www.epic.org

[Liam]

"ArmadaleBoy" <adam.flemming@digitalventures.com.au> wrote in message
news:1107267557.104159.108740@c13g2000cwb.googlegr oups.com...
> Hi Billy,
>
> Thanks for the really quick response.
>
> Okay... here's the lowdown...
>
> The car is a Kyosho Peugeot 405.
>
> I have tried two transmitters...
> - Futaba MJ T2PHKA
> - Futaba Magnum Sport
>
> The receiver is a Futaba FP R1225
>
> I have tried two crystals. One on frequency 40.835, the other on
> 27.195MHz.
>
> The transmission and reception do seem to work... just only within four
> foot :(
>
> The car is a standard layout with the aerial coming from the receiver
> box then up through a hole in the frame and into a "straw" which takes
> it straight up out of the body and up for about 3/4 of a foot.
> Hope this helps.
>
> Adam.
>

Hi Adam,

Sounds like the RX is the problem as its the only part not yet changed,
probably worth checking the following........

Check the receiver is the correct type for the TX - an FM transmitter won't
work with an AM RX for example
Try another receiver as the current one may have a bad solder joint etc.
Is the aerial wire damaged?

Cheers
Liam

[Jonathan Hodgson]

On 1 Feb 2005 06:19:17 -0800, ArmadaleBoy wrote:

> I have tried two crystals. One on frequency 40.835, the other on
> 27.195MHz.

That sounds iffy - usually the system (Tx and Rx) is tuned to work
*either* within the 27 MHz band, *or* within 40 MHz. Are you sure that
one of these bands is correct for the system - or is it on something
else, maybe 75 MHz?

That aside, 4' of range might suggest a broken Rx antenna wire - usually
very near the base.

Jonny

[the_atomic_punk]

A servo wire(or if non nitro the speed controller) might have a nick in
the insulation and is shorting out somewhere,possibly on the chassis or
something else metal. I was not sure what you meant when you said "it
starts good".(nitro or electric)whether you meant the motor starts good
or just thats the car takes off good.But strip off servo's,speed
controller(if applicable) and radio and clean the wires.Then inspect
them under a light real good.If you have a magnfying glass that would
be even better.
Good Luck with it!

[Richard]

"ArmadaleBoy" <adam.flemming@digitalventures.com.au> wrote in message
news:1107267557.104159.108740@c13g2000cwb.googlegr oups.com...
> Hi Billy,
>
> Thanks for the really quick response.
>
> Okay... here's the lowdown...
>
> The car is a Kyosho Peugeot 405.
>
> I have tried two transmitters...
> - Futaba MJ T2PHKA
> - Futaba Magnum Sport
>
> The receiver is a Futaba FP R1225
>
> I have tried two crystals. One on frequency 40.835, the other on
> 27.195MHz.
>
> The transmission and reception do seem to work... just only within four
> foot :(
>
> The car is a standard layout with the aerial coming from the receiver
> box then up through a hole in the frame and into a "straw" which takes
> it straight up out of the body and up for about 3/4 of a foot.
> Hope this helps.
>
> Adam.

If you can get to Victoria Park, go see John and the boys at Radio Model
Supplies ( http://www.radiomodels.com.au/ ) 235 Albany Hwy 9362-2133 they
should have the equipment there to check your gear out for you on the spot
unless their really busy or there's the hobby shop in Riverton just off High
Rd. that should be able to help as well. Either way if you have a problem
with your radio then one of them should be able to help.

Are you looking to join a on-road or off-road club? From memory the only
on-road clubs are the indoor one in Maylands and the outdoor in Bayswater
and the closest off-road would be Rockingham if they still exist or Burswood
beside the casino which I think is also run by Radio Models Supplies.

Apart from that I thought that all land radios were 29Mhz FM in Oz (I maybe
wrong) unless they are imported from overseas or RTR's. You might want to
check this out when you contact a club to join.


Cheers
Richard

[ArmadaleBoy]

First up... WOW! I knew this was a great group but I didn't expect the
number of fantastic (not to mention useful and quick) responses that I
got.

I'll be trying them out this weekend. I have another receiver which I
will try out. I will be inspecting the antenna wire. Great idea to pull
it all apart and check into it.

I wasn't aware that the transmitters were limited to certain bands like
that... I'm sure that that is one of my problems and I will be trying
some appropriate crystal sets and see if that makes any difference.

The Peugeot is indeed a nitro and came from England with me. The
crystal set came from the U.S.

I thank you all for your efforts and great advice. I will be giving the
ideas and suggestions the acid test this weekend and will report back
on progress. Fingers crossed :D

Thanks for the tip about Radio Models. They are just down the road from
me ... well... 20 minutes or so but I live on South West Highway which
turns into Albany Highway so it's an easy one.

Yep... I will be looking primarily for an off-road club but would like
to give on-road a go as well... hence the Peugeot.
Thanks again everybody and I will report back soon.

Adam.

[mike]

Richard, Billy,

There is also 40 mhz here in Australia. Its often used with FM radio
controllers.

MIKE

>
> Apart from that I thought that all land radios were 29Mhz FM in Oz (I
maybe
> wrong) unless they are imported from overseas or RTR's. You might want to
> check this out when you contact a club to join.
>
>

[Richard]

"mike netspace.net.au>" <transam@<REMOVETHISINCLUDINGBRACKETS> wrote in
message news:4201a5d0$1@dnews.tpgi.com.au...
> Richard, Billy,
>
> There is also 40 mhz here in Australia. Its often used with FM radio
> controllers.
>
> MIKE
>

I did realise that 40Mhz was available here, but I didn't no that they used
them for land based RC's. I thought they were used for Air RC models,
commercial pagers and mining safety equipment. Hence the reason I suggested
checking with a club about the frequencies they use.

Its been a while since I raced, but from memory our club only let us use 29
Mhz FM back then.


Cheers
Richard

[mike]

Fellas,

40 mhz is totally legit and common here. Virtually every synthesized FM
radio system uses it. Any oz club which bans 40's is misinformed. IF you
walk into a hobby shop and buy a JR XS3 FM system, you will get a 40 mhz
system expressly designed for cars.

MIKE



"Richard" <DK@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:4201fee4$1@quokka.wn.com.au...
>
> "mike netspace.net.au>" <transam@<REMOVETHISINCLUDINGBRACKETS> wrote in
> message news:4201a5d0$1@dnews.tpgi.com.au...
> > Richard, Billy,
> >
> > There is also 40 mhz here in Australia. Its often used with FM radio
> > controllers.
> >
> > MIKE
> >
>
> I did realise that 40Mhz was available here, but I didn't no that they
used
> them for land based RC's. I thought they were used for Air RC models,
> commercial pagers and mining safety equipment. Hence the reason I
suggested
> checking with a club about the frequencies they use.
>
> Its been a while since I raced, but from memory our club only let us use
29
> Mhz FM back then.
>
>
> Cheers
> Richard
>
>

[Justin Mahn]

mike <transam@ wrote:
> Fellas,
>
> 40 mhz is totally legit and common here. Virtually every synthesized FM
> radio system uses it. Any oz club which bans 40's is misinformed. IF you
> walk into a hobby shop and buy a JR XS3 FM system, you will get a 40 mhz
> system expressly designed for cars.
>
> MIKE
>
>

I have a JR XS3 FM system. It's on 75mhz. Where "Here" are you talking
about? However if you're worried about the band, then check out the
walmart RC section. Half of their vehicles are on 40mhz. It's the half
that's not on 27mhz.

The downside that I hear about 40mhz is interference from CB radios.

>
> "Richard" <DK@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:4201fee4$1@quokka.wn.com.au...
>
>>"mike netspace.net.au>" <transam@<REMOVETHISINCLUDINGBRACKETS> wrote in
>>message news:4201a5d0$1@dnews.tpgi.com.au...
>>
>>>Richard, Billy,
>>>
>>>There is also 40 mhz here in Australia. Its often used with FM radio
>>>controllers.
>>>
>>>MIKE
>>>
>>
>>I did realise that 40Mhz was available here, but I didn't no that they
>
> used
>
>>them for land based RC's. I thought they were used for Air RC models,
>>commercial pagers and mining safety equipment. Hence the reason I
>
> suggested
>
>>checking with a club about the frequencies they use.
>>
>>Its been a while since I raced, but from memory our club only let us use
>
> 29
>
>>Mhz FM back then.
>>
>>
>>Cheers
>>Richard
>>
>>
>
>
>

[M78Ultra]

Retail dept. store kids R/C toys generally in the US will be 27MHz and
49MHz...
not "40MHz"

> However if you're worried about the band, then check out the
> walmart RC section. Half of their vehicles are on 40mhz. It's the half
> that's not on 27mhz.

[Olev Pihl]

Justin Mahn wrote:
> mike <transam@ wrote:
>
>> Fellas,
>>
>> 40 mhz is totally legit and common here. Virtually every synthesized FM
>> radio system uses it. Any oz club which bans 40's is misinformed. IF you
>> walk into a hobby shop and buy a JR XS3 FM system, you will get a 40 mhz
>> system expressly designed for cars.
>>
>> MIKE
>>
>>
>
> I have a JR XS3 FM system. It's on 75mhz. Where "Here" are you talking
> about? However if you're worried about the band, then check out the
> walmart RC section. Half of their vehicles are on 40mhz. It's the half
> that's not on 27mhz.
>
> The downside that I hear about 40mhz is interference from CB radios.

US is not the whole world. Except it and get over it :P
Bigger part of the rest of the world actually uses 40 MHz and not 75.
Don't ask why, I guess this is one of the political thingies...

The guys are talking about Australia (a.k.a. Down Under, OZ, Kangaroo
Land etc.), which is quite obvious, if you care to look at their email
addresses and the word "Australia" mentioned in their posts somewhere...

BR,
-olev-

[ArmadaleBoy]

Hi everyone,

Okay... after a loooonngggg weekend of battling with ceiling fans,
fencing wire and assorted other craziness, this afternoon (Sunday), I
finally had a few hours to kill and took off to my shed to put some of
your suggestions into play.

I had a look at my transmitters and I have a 75MHz, a 40MHz, and a
29MHz hand sets. Turns out I have a suspicion that I was using a 40MHz
crystal in a 29MHz transmitter... and top it all off, I found that the
receivers are all different frequencies as well. The one I had
installed was a 27MHz.

After getting a 29MHz crystal and transmitter and receiver all together
and installed... voila!!! It was working from quite a distance... more
than enough for some fun. The crescent that I live on was recently
tarmacced and is as smooth as the proverbial baby's bottom... spent a
very enjoyable hour and a couple of tanks of fuel tinkering with the
car and racing up and down the road.

Short of all of this is... I posted a question on here in the hopes of
receiving some help and you all helped immensely. Thank you all so much
for this. It was bugging me for ages.

Well... I'm off to bed. Tomorrow, I'll be taking the car out for
another spin around after work.

What a great group this is!

Adam.

PS - Labradors seem to enjoy chasing RC cars. Cats do not. My cat was
not bothered by it one way or the other and just sat on a fence post
and looked on.