Radio Control

[Peter Smith 24Participant @petersmith24]

Need to learn all about this topic.

As I am an old teacher I have been looking for books on the subject. I saw 'Radio Control in Model Boats' by John Cundell. Is this worth purchasing or is there better books available.

[Peter Smith 24Participant @petersmith24]

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

Peter,

John's book was excellent in its day but there have been a number of technical developments since then. There is a lot of useful information in Dave Milbourn's article on this site: **LINK**

Browsing through some of the feature articles on this site will also provide a lot of up to date information.

There is a lot of useful information on the Component Shop website: **LINK**

Unless you are building a working submarine then 2.4GHz radio sets are the norm today and can be quite inexpensive. The come in various specification, the minimum being two channel for steering and motor control up to 6 or more for extra functions. You can get an idea of types and prices from the Howes Models website: **LINK**

This should get you started!

Colin

[Dave MilbournParticipant @davemilbourn48782]

Peter

I have since written another article for Model Boats ["Radio Gag Ga"] which is not reproduced on this website. It explains in detail what the various parts of a radio system do and you may find it useful. If you send me your regular E-Mail address via the Private Message system on this forum then I will happily send you a copy. That goes for anyone else who might be interested, too.

Dave M

Edited By Dave Milbourn on 09/10/2016 11:31:16

[Kev.WParticipant @kev-w]

Got mine, thanks Dave.

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

I have since written another article for Model Boats ["Radio Gag Ga"] which is not reproduced on this website.

Dave

Why hasn't your article been published on this website? after all it is a seminal piece which could be useful to all of us. Perhaps you might consider forgoing your usual fee and allow Colin to post it.

Paul

[Dave MilbournParticipant @davemilbourn48782]

Colin was consulted when Banjoman first asked the question, but in these particular circumstances Colin is not the final arbiter. No additional fee would be involved but the final arbiter said no. "End of", as they say.

Copies are available by sending me a regular E-Mail address via the Private Message system. I've sent out three in the past 24 hours.

DM

[CookieOldParticipant @cookieold]

Thats a shame Dave

Dave

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

"End of"

This is rather a blunt way to end a discussion especially when poor Colin was only trying to help us.

Ah well

[Dave MilbournParticipant @davemilbourn48782]

Posted by Paul T on 11/10/2016 19:06:23:

"End of"

This is rather a blunt way to end a discussion especially when poor Colin was only trying to help us.

Ah well

Paul
You have grabbed the wrong end of the stick.The only person who said "end of" was me, on this Forum, just now. I meant it to indicate that the discussion which Colin had conducted with the final arbiter on behalf of Banjoman and myself had come to its conclusion, albeit rather abruptly. I was given no reason for the refusal and I felt that it would not be appropriate to pursue the matter. I have no doubt that Colin was his usual diplomatic self and I thanked him for his efforts.
Now please can we leave the subject there? I feel as if someone is digging a large hole for me and I don't want to fall into it.
Dave M

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Dave

I have an established history of grabbing the wrong end of most things so I will fix a shovel onto this particular stick and fill the hole in.

Paul

[CookieOldParticipant @cookieold]

Lets kiss and make up , life is ti short lads.

Best Regards Dave

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Don't worry Cookie as the toys are still in the playpen, in fact there was no disagreement I just got hold of the wrong end of a stick and ended up beating myself with it.

Paul

[Anthony AtkinsonParticipant @anthonyatkinson85393]

Hi I have just got back into the hobby after a number of years and things have moved on a little since my last model, my question is do I need to only buy a 2 channel radio or can I get 4 or 6 channel most internet sites seem to suggest 2 channel controllers are for cars/boats and 4/6 channel ones are for planes and drones. I suppose I am hoping that if I buy a 6 channel one I can control others things on the model such as fog horn generators and lights or is that not how it works, any help would be gratefully received.

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Hi Anthony and welcome to the forum.

​Once upon a time there was a decent price gap between 2 channel sets and those with 3 or more. This is not the case now, and multi-channel 2.4 gig sets can be had very reasonably.

How much you spend is up to you and depends on the likely use it is going to get and indeed if you will have aspirations of grandeur and fit lights, hooters, duck squirters and so on.

​Don't ask me for a recommendation. For longevity any of the mainstream makes will do. Everyone has their favourites.

Ashley

[Anthony AtkinsonParticipant @anthonyatkinson85393]

Thanks for that Ashley I think I will go for a 4 or 6 channel one future proof it I have managed to get my hands on a few books on the subject and subscribed to this magazine so hopefully I will get back up to speed soon.

[Tony HadleyParticipant @tonyhadley]

There is an article under the Features tab – Hints, Tips and Technical tab which may be of help.

**LINK**

Another item by regular forum contributor, Dave Milbourn may also be of interest.

**LINK**

[Malcolm FraryParticipant @malcolmfrary95515]

A modern basic 2.4GHz 4 channel set costs a great deal less than a similarly basic 27MHz 2 channel set did a very few years ago. Because of that, they are now the de facto starter outfit. Too many channels? Just don't plug anything into the unwanted ones.

[Author]

Posts