Tony. On this very forum there is a review of  the Futaba 6EX 2.4GHz Digital Proportional R/C System, have a search……

I think that may answer a few questions? Ashley

Why wouldn’t the set be ok for a boat?  As far as I know the frequency is fine and the set a decent one. The only disscusion I’m aware of is the use of 2.4 gig in submarines where i’ve heard is not so good. Could the slip of paper have been meant for another country where 2.4 gig isn’t legal?

   Anyway, why not just ring acoms importer or a decent model shop to check. Much cheaper than buying another set.

 Chas

Hi Shrek,

I’m with Ashley here, and thought these radios were suitable for boats.  As I understand it, there are 2 short aerials (about 4")  the receiver and both aerials need to be above the water line,  one aerial horizontal and the other vertical, which means one would probably come through the deck, say inside a plastic tube and disguised.

If you already have a boat, why not try it in it !, but make sure there is someone else sailing as well just in case you need a push to shore.  You have nothing to lose as you’ve already bought your radio.

Cheers – Ken

Me too, a synthesised (?) set seems to be the future, no sets of crystals to buy at £10 plus a time, and lots of frequencies to choose from. I’ve not heard of any problems.

 Chas

Hi chaps

Some confusion above I think!   R/C doesn’t operate on 40m (meters) it operates on 40 MHz which is very different!   However don’t worry, no one will sell you a 40m r/c rig – it’s the amateur radio 7MHz band.   Also AFAIK 40MHz synthesised sets don’t frequency hop – thats a technology used in some 2.4GHz sets.   They are simply switchable between the permitted channels without the need to change crystals.  Nonetheless a very useful facility IMHO.   WRT the set the OP asked about, I can’t comment about that one specifically but I have done a fair amount of work with a Spektrum DX6 investigating the range in boats (see this month’s MB mag) and wasn’t able to induce it to lose lock at maximum eyeball range on my test boats. 

 I suspect that, following some reports of range problems (more specifically temporary loss of control for a few seconds) in boats, the manufacturer or importer is playing safe with its advice.    To be fair, Horizon Hobbies say the same about the DX6.   In spite of this many are being used in boats successfully.   For more info see the article mentioned.

Cheers

Guy

    Tony, you asked a good question, and as yet no-one has answered youBack in the bad old days , everybody wishing to operate a radio for any reason needed a licence, I still have my radio control licence. the frequencies were 10 KHz apart inwith the American CB frequencies, they followed the resistor colour codesto readily identify the frequencies Black was channel 0 Brown 1 red 2 orange 3,

yellow  4, green  5  Blue  6 I don’t think there was a violet grey or white, but if you look at the old AM frequencies, you will see the gaps  Channel black was the one with all the problems, it was the same frequency as the CB and there was a lot of interferencewith aircraft which is why the SMAEinsisted on going to 35 MHZ  27 Mhz Black was also on the same frequency as hospital pagers> to the best of my knowledge, nothing interfered with any life saving equipment. I have a precise list of all the frequencies if anybody wants one, let me have your e-mail address If you are still awake, and have not lost the will to live, The radio regulatory board of the home office deals with all licencing, and have been known to prosecute hapless modellers for operating without a licence. As far as I know boat modellers are restricted to 27 Mhz with cars, and aircraft modellers may use 35 Mhz.  Your local model shop proprietor will be pleased to advise you I’m sure. I will find out and operate an advisory service.  Mike D