2.4 Ghz - The flood gates have opened!

[Kmot]

http://www.xtremepowersystems.net/index.php

2.4GHz for Futaba, JR, and Hitec radios!

We are please to announce that we have created replacement modules for Futaba, JR, and Hitec radio systems. Our system offers up to 5 miles of range, up to 390,000 people flying at the same time, bi-directional telemetry data, and much more.

Flying, boating, driving, makes no difference with 2.4Ghz.

Hallelujah!! http://www.fototime.com/38257C31A2AE704/orig.gif

[LtDoc]

Kmot,
Good for them! Just a reminder about the range and number of possible channel combinations. It is advertisement, which usually requires some 'translating' to get to what it really means. I'm sure it means more range than the 'Spektrum' radios offer at present, but take the 5 miles with a grain of salt, you know? They didn't lie, but they also didn't tell you which directions that 5 miles is in.
The part about the '390,000' possible channels? I didn't know that the 2.4 Ghz R/C spectrum had been expanded. If it hasn't, then that means that the typical channel spacings and signal widths have really been reduced drastically. Which is good if done 'right', which is not exactly likely, which means another one of those "dose of salt" thingys.
- 'Doc

PS - I love advertising! Makes designing 'B.S.' filters really fun...

[Kmot]

Ah man, Doc, ya' burst my bubble! :p

[steveciambrone]

Before starting to nay say it all, a detailed read of the specs might help. This is not similar to the Spektrum, since they are using Active channel hopping. Active channel hopping might get that many channels available.

Sounds like a good direction to go, since most of the time when I go to the pond, sometimes The guys do not even know what channel they are operating on.

Thanks
Steve

[CG Bob]

I wonder if these new units have been "blessed" by the FCC yet. I don't think that Futaba, JR, and Hitec sent the new modules in with their radios; so that leaves it up to Xtreme Power Systems to file the paperwork and send the units in with the radios.

From the FCC regs:

Sec. 95.645 Control accessibility.
(a) No control, switch or other type of adjustment which, when manipulated, can result in a violation of the rules shall be accessible from the transmitter operating panel or from exterior of the transmitter enclosure.
(b) An R/C transmitter which incorporates plug-in frequency determining modules which are changed by the user must be certificated with the modules. Each module must contain all of the frequency determining circuitry including the oscillator. Plug-in crystals are not considered modules and must not be accessible to the user.

Almost all of the radio companies say that using modules or crystals not made by them voids the radio warranty.

[Jim Duda]

We'll all probably have our own "litmus test" on this new technology before we spend our money and trust it when we boat/sail/fly/drive our favorite model(s). Mine will be when four 190 mph pylon pilots are on the course using it and/or the turbine drivers use it.

What's yours?

[LtDoc]

...mine? Probably a month or two after they hit the market should give a reasonable approximation of how well they are going to work. I have more radio than I need at the moment, so I sort of doubt if I'm going to be one of the 'original' buyers.
- 'Doc

[Massey]

I dont know about this system yet. I just bought a Spektrum Pro module for my R1. Spktrum and JR are the same company and I know that the spektrum module woll not hurt my radio being from the same manufacturer.

Massey

[retoabcr]

I had my say .

[steveciambrone]

Nobody needs any of this stuff, it is a hobby. Some hobbiest want this stuff. Computer radios are really fun to use, the programming options are a real time saver when setting up and triming a model.
The spread spectrum equipment will help get rid of the channel confict issue helping the safety problem. What is nice is just going to the pond or the flying field and turn on your radio and know there will not be a conflict. My last trip to the pond several of the boaters were a little confused as to what frequency they were on. I am glad they are not flying airplanes. The down side in some racing circles is this will prevent certain racers from sandbaging heats due to a channel conflict.

Thanks
Steve

[retoabcr]

I had my say!

[johnmca72]

Here to fly, you put your freq. on a board so each has his own freq. If they find you are flying on someone elses freq. and you aren't on the board, is like having a swarm of bees come down on top of you and most likely get banned. I was reading where range was greater, now that would create problems like someone not at the same location flying but within a mile , like on a street could cause accidents with another unit. That wouldn't be fair to either party. Would it interfear with air traffic if located near air field? Right now air safety is critical and to have a crash due to rc equipment with long range wouldn't be right. Nothing is perfect, even aircraft instruments could malfunction, then what. Remember when the individual going down the street opening garage doors and closing them and to top it off, setting off burgular alarms when actually non was occurring. Time will tell. That is a step in the wrong direction for safety for all people!

You might want to familiarize yourself a little with how spread-sprectrum radios work.

JM

[LtDoc]

retoabcr,
The interfering with other radio services thing is remotely possible, but very, very unlikely if the radio system has passed FCC inspection. All services are regulated to some extent, some more than others, but always with safety as one of the requirements. If I'm not mistaken, R/C radios are Part 15 devices. That means that they can not interfere with other services (radio systems) and have to accept any interference they are subject to (have any 'wireless' devices around the house? You'll find a notice either on the device it's self or in it's manual saying exactly that. TV's too!). That keeps the 'biggies' from happening, such as the interfering with 'real' air traffic and/or instrumentation. It also means that if one R/C radio interferes with another R/C radio there is no legal recourse (you won't go to jail). That certainly doesn't mean it's right for one R/C'er to interfere with another, and there are ways to prevent that, just that being arrested isn't one of them.

As to the "who needs it?" thingy, well, none of us really do. But there are conveniences offered that make the more expensive systems more... convenient. To impliment those 'conveniences' (no more crystals, automatic channel selection, etc.) the thing has to operate where that is permitted by the FCC, and where it makes sense to operate them. Unless you want to do a lot of reading of govenmentalized electronic rules and regulations, just take that part for granted, sort of (if you do enjoy that sort of thing it's hard to imagine you also enjoying R/C... and I'm sure I'll catch it about that. :)).
Would I like to have one of the proposed new radios? Of course I would! I mean, it's 'new', right? It's gotta be 'better', right?? The problem is that I have other 'bad habits' that won't allow me to afford one. ... YET!
- 'Doc

[Kmot]

http://imagecache2.allposters.com/images/pic/MMPO/503568~Chicken-Little-Posters.jpg

[retoabcr]

To each his own!

[tsenecal]

Just wanted to throw a little more fuel on the fire:

I love the concept of it being spread spectrum. It alleviates tons of headaches. if the system also uses a guid (which i believe it does) then it will be impossible for conflicts to arise.

however.

my favorite subgroup of this hobby is r/c submarines

2.4ghz systems penetrate a good 1/4" (6mm) or less into water, making them useless for subs.

[steveciambrone]

They do use a GUID (Global Unique Identifier) This is transfered to the RX during the Binding process.

Steve