Need help selecting a radio system

[TOWHOOK]

I have been looking at different radio systems for a long time trying to decide what I need to buy, and I think I have only managed to get more confused. Anyway, I need help selecting a radio system and I figure you guys are the best and most informed to ask.

First off, I'll give you a short list of the things I would like to control and then maybe you guys can point me in the direction I need to go.

Nav lights - off / on
Deck lights - off / on
Bow thruster
Stern thruster
Diesel sound module - the works with the TX
Anchor winch
Fog horn
"and maybe a operating Deck crane one day "

I model tugs and merchant ships so this is probably the maximum number of things I would be interested in controlling So far I have been looking at the following radios

Futaba 4EXA - probably not enough channels though
Hitec Laser 6 channel FM Radio
Futaba 6EX 6-Channel 2.4GHz
Futaba 7C 7-Channel 2.4GHz - This maybe overkill
Robbe F-14 navy - could also be overkill

Any advice, suggestions, or comments will be greatly appreciated.

[toesup]

Futaba 7C 7-Channel 2.4GHz - This maybe overkill
Robbe F-14 navy - could also be overkill


Always go for the most channels you can afford..

You will always need that 'extra' channel... :rolleyes:

[Ghost 2501]

I have been looking at different radio systems for a long time trying to decide what I need to buy, and I think I have only managed to get more confused. Anyway, I need help selecting a radio system and I figure you guys are the best and most informed to ask.

First off, I'll give you a short list of the things I would like to control and then maybe you guys can point me in the direction I need to go.

Nav lights - off / on
Deck lights - off / on
Bow thruster
Stern thruster
Diesel sound module - the works with the TX
Anchor winch
Fog horn
"and maybe a operating Deck crane one day "

I model tugs and merchant ships so this is probably the maximum number of things I would be interested in controlling So far I have been looking at the following radios

Futaba 4EXA - probably not enough channels though
Hitec Laser 6 channel FM Radio
Futaba 6EX 6-Channel 2.4GHz
Futaba 7C 7-Channel 2.4GHz - This maybe overkill
Robbe F-14 navy - could also be overkill

Any advice, suggestions, or comments will be greatly appreciated.
given some Y-leads off your Rx, you could link one of the thrusters into the rudder

ch1 stern thruster

ch2 up nav lights on/off ..
ch2 dn deck lights on/off (a dual latch switch will do that, and robbe make one as do action electronics.

ch3 motor + diesel sound unit

ch4 rudder + bow thruster

ch5 anchor winch (3trn yacht sail winch will do that)

ch6 fog horn

[TOWHOOK]

Thanks Toes, That's what I was thinking. I have read a lot of discussion on here regarding radio systems and according to what I have read it sounds like the gigahertz systems are the way to go, but are these just for airplanes and helicopters? I don't see a surface version of radios like the Futaba 7C or 6ex ????

[Ghost 2501]

towhook, the 2.4ghz radios are fine for up there and down here, but forget it with subs. the surface and air versions of the 2.4ghz sets are the same, they just mark them up "airplane" because its usually flyers who use all 6 channels.

My 40mhz futaba 6EXA is uk ground frequency however its badges say "computerized airplane system"

[TOWHOOK]

given some Y-leads off your Rx, you could link one of the thrusters into the rudder

ch1 stern thruster

ch2 up nav lights on/off ..
ch2 dn deck lights on/off (a dual latch switch will do that, and robbe make one as do action electronics.

ch3 motor + diesel sound unit

ch4 rudder + bow thruster

ch5 anchor winch (3trn yacht sail winch will do that)

ch6 fog horn


Ghost, I have been looking around on Action's website and was looking at the quad switch which looks like an option for some applications. As far as the bow and stern thrusters go, I remember reading an old build thread where TK-20 was building a model of the Sydney Express and you had explained how you set your thrusters up. I have tried to keep that thread in mind while looking for radios. That is one of the reasons I started looking at 4 & 6 channel setups to begin with. I have learned a lot from threads like that. :cool:
What type of radio are you using anyway?

[TOWHOOK]

towhook, the 2.4ghz radios are fine for up there and down here, but forget it with subs. the surface and air versions of the 2.4ghz sets are the same, they just mark them up "airplane" because its usually flyers who use all 6 channels.

My 40mhz futaba 6EXA is uk ground frequency however its badges say "computerized airplane system"

Oh. ok. Well no wonder I was confused. I had seen several radios AM and FM that had air and surface freq. designations and thought that the same applied to the gig systems :p

[Ghost 2501]

Ghost, I have been looking around on Action's website and was looking at the quad switch which looks like an option for some applications. As far as the bow and stern thrusters go, I remember reading an old build thread where TK-20 was building a model of the Sydney Express and you had explained how you set your thrusters up. I have tried to keep that thread in mind while looking for radios. That is one of the reasons I started looking at 4 & 6 channel setups to begin with. I have learned a lot from threads like that. :cool:
What type of radio are you using anyway?

Nordie's Lights (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwivU6HUfUw) (0 min 50 sec)
Nord Icelandia's special operations lights are on a Y-lead with a robbe switch, coupled with the A-frame, this means that when the a-frame swings out the lights come on, all you would need to do is put the servo and bow thruster esc on a Y-lead, couple the motors up as desired to get right hand shovvie with right hand rudder.

The navigation lights on the yacht on the other hand use an ACTion unit that has two outputs and is also latched, though unlike the robbe unit in Gemini, it can be made to be non-latching. It also feeds power to the LED's as well, unlike the Robbe unit.
Yacht nav lights (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7wKAWPTyU0) (0 min 14 sec)
a second set of lights can be added the other side of the sticks neutral line. this would work well for your deck lights and nav lights.

[CG Bob]

towhook, the 2.4ghz radios are fine for up there and down here, but forget it with subs. the surface and air versions of the 2.4ghz sets are the same, they just mark them up "airplane" because its usually flyers who use all 6 channels.

My 40mhz futaba 6EXA is uk ground frequency however its badges say "computerized airplane system"
IIRC the Futaba FASST 2.4 GHz systems are the same whther configured for a car (pistol grip tx) or aircraft (twin stick box).

However, Spektrum chose to go a different route. The Spektrum DX2 and DX3 and their respective rx's (SR series) are designed as surface radios and won't work with the Spektrum DX5, DX6, DX6i, or DX7 and their respective (AR series) rx's. Spektrum uses different protocols for the surface and air system. Spektrum also has some differences in their 5+ channel systems. The original DX6 is a DSM system, and won't work with the DSM2 rx's. The DX5, DX6i and DX7 are DSM2 systems and won't work with the original Spektrum DSM receivers.