I've gotten interested (again) in scale model boats, in addition to my electric and glow model airplane projects. I have an old Cirrus 900XLC 7 channel FM system in 75mhz that is on its last legs. I like the transmitter because it has toggle switches and levers for three auxiliary channels in additon to the right and left airplane style sticks. My new Spektrum DX6 system would be ideal for boat use except for lack of levers for auxiliary channels. Ace R/C used to sell transmitters with levers, etc., that catered to model boat hobbyists with levers etc. Does anybody currently make a state of the art boat oriented R/C system?

The Robbe Futaba system has the dual sticks for throttle, and it is a computer radio. i have an Ace Nautical commander which has the two sticks and it is OK, but once you have used a computer radio it is hard to go back to an analog radio. If I would do it over again I would pass on the Nautical commander and get the Robbe Futaba system.

If you do not want the dual stick throttle the Futaba 9 channel is a good value for the money. It has knobs but no levers.

Thanks
Steve

Thanks
Steve

The current Nautical Commander system looks pretty good but it's not a computer transmitter outfit, no multiple boat memories, etc., and no way to quick change frequencies. That said, it may be the best thing currently available for scale boats needing lever and switch controls.

http://www.acehobby.com/ace/ACE8701.htm

Ace announced their new Nautical Commander almost a year ago. As far as I know, it's not available yet. I sent Ace an e-mail in the spring, and their response was that it should be available in the late fall. Since we just entered early fall, I don't think we'll see the Nautical Commander until Christmas. If the "new" Nauctical Commander is anything like the "old" version, you get the transmitter, receivers, NiCd batteries for the radio system and a charger - no servos or ESC.

I have an older Nauctical Commander; IIRC, I paid about $200 for it new. Looking back, it wasn't such a good deal, as the receiver was set for Deans 3-pin connectors. This was the same time that the Futaba "J" connector became the "standard" for all other radio systems.

I have an old 90's Cirrus/Hobby Shack 7 channel 900XLC FM system with it's own oddball connectors. Luckily the receiver has wires with male connectors to connect to servos, etc. If I want to interchange the receiver with other model boats, I'll have to change to common modern connectors or find a source of old type Cirrus connectors.

Originally Posted by E-Challenged

I have an old Cirrus 900XLC 7 channel FM system in 75mhz

Are you sure it is on 75Mhz? I also have a 900XLC from the late 70's - early 80's (forget exactly when I bought it) and IIRC they only came in aircraft freq's which are on 72Mhz and if yours is also on 72Mhz and not 75Mhz than you should not use it for surface craft. Just a FYI.

Originally Posted by Kmot

Are you sure it is on 75Mhz? I also have a 900XLC from the late 70's - early 80's (forget exactly when I bought it) and IIRC they only came in aircraft freq's which are on 72Mhz and if yours is also on 72Mhz and not 75Mhz than you should not use it for surface craft. Just a FYI.

During that time frame, there were 7 channels in 72-75 MHz, four were aircraft only, and the other three were shared by aircraft and surface models. We also had the 5 frequencies in the 27MHz band, as well as Ham frequencies in 53 MHz. The aircraft only frequencies were 72.080, 72.240, 72.400, and 75.640 MHz. The shared frequencies were 72.160, 72.320, and 72.960. A radio dating from that time period is a wide band model, and is not suppposed to be used anymore.

Bob, I was referring specifically to the Cirrus 900XLC line that was made by Futaba and carried and sold exclusively by Hobby Shack (now Hobby People) stores. I do not recall them being available in surface freq's but that does not mean they were not.

BTW, my 900XLC, from that time period, is on 72.870, or Channel 54. Still legal.

I think my first aircraft radio was on 75.640.......... was that Green & White?

Originally Posted by Kmot

Bob, I was referring specifically to the Cirrus 900XLC line that was made by Futaba and carried and sold exclusively by Hobby Shack (now Hobby People) stores. I do not recall them being available in surface freq's but that does not mean they were not.

BTW, my 900XLC, from that time period, is on 72.870, or Channel 54. Still legal.

Channel 54 is still a legal channel. During that time period, the spacing between channels was different, 40 KHz. In 1988 or 89, the radio manufacturers started making the "new" narrow band equipment, with channel spacing at 20 KHz. If your radio doesn't have an AMA "Gold Sticker" on the back, the unit is a wide band unit and is illegal to use. We didin't get the "New" odd channels (55, 57, 61, 63, etc) until 1991 or 92. The specific FCC regulation is Section 95.623, R/C transmitter channel frequencies. Your older radio on Channel 54, unless it has the gold sticker, is causing interference on channels 53 and 55.

The older frequencies in the 72-76 MHz band were:
72.080 White/Brown flags (aircraft only)
72.160 White/Blue
72.240 White/Red (aircraft only)
72.320 White/Purple
72.400 White/Orange (aircraft only)
72.960 White/Yellow
75.640 White/Green (aircraft only)

The attached file has the "authorized" frequencies over the years, from 1973 to 1991. Tha Ham frequencies in the 53 MHz band are still legal, but finding equipment in that band is rare.

for ALL of my models I use a Futaba 6EXA on 40MHz (UK Surface band), and it does everything I ask of it

40Mhz? I think that is what we in the USA use for dog collars or something.

my current radio is a futaba 9c on channel 88.

it replaced 2 ace nautical commanders and one futaba 6y.

i will never buy a non computer radio for my high end stuff again.

Originally Posted by Kmot

40Mhz? I think that is what we in the USA use for dog collars or something.

I don't think the dogs would appreciate a UK person bringing their radios over the pond then... I know they bark at passing sirens but the yelping at a passing radio...

Originally Posted by Kmot

Are you sure it is on 75Mhz? I also have a 900XLC from the late 70's - early 80's (forget exactly when I bought it) and IIRC they only came in aircraft freq's which are on 72Mhz and if yours is also on 72Mhz and not 75Mhz than you should not use it for surface craft. Just a FYI.

Had it converted to 75mhz surface freq and silver stickered long ago. Just saw an original NIB 72 mhz 900XLC on Ebay. Don't know if there's anybody who can convert these systems anymore.