THE PERFECT RADIO

[Joe Boylan]

I have thought for many years "why doesn't anyone make a Radio set exclusively for Large Tanks? (Usually we use modified airplane R/C's)

I have family members who have been in the Motorola Communications & R/C radio repair and manufacturing business for some years.

I would like to know if you were to make your all-in-one Tank/Track vehicle radio. That is one that controls all vehicle movements and has everything needed for controlling such things as, firing, speakers, animation, etc., etc.

Another question I have is what frequencies we should be using, as not to inter-fear with other R/C modelers? Is there a non used frequency we could acquire just for our models? (Our models don't need the range many airplanes need)

I will be contacting some manufactures in 2009 after all in input is sorted out. I would like to produce a robust R/C Radio exclusively for our track vehicles. Our Large Scale needs it's own!

What's your needs? - I am building a list of these items and need your input and your comments?

JOE BOYLAN
all e-mails welcome

[Richie Wignall]

hi joe

i use a futaba 9c super pcm/ppm selectable, and can store up to 18 model so it was the thing for me with the helys aswell. but i have nearly used the 9 channels now on the tank.
another good thing abaut this is the servo display , this is good if you have any complicated mixing to do, and any input or delay in the circuit may be seen straight away and good to find servo problems this works great for me.

and a good price from japan at £212.

richie

[Adrian Harris]

An interesting concept - a tank only radio.

Some initial thoughts:

1) Some drivers like two separate sticks, as per older full size tanks. Others prefer tank movement control on one stick and turret/gun on the other. This will mean some form of programming/mixing on the transmitter, unless it can be handled by the ESC system in the tank.

2) When adding more channels, current radios seem to favour digital (on/off) ones more than analogue (variable) ones, which makes things like Benedini sound systems harder to control. So plenty of knobs on the new radio rather than switches

3) 2.4GHz seems to be the way the hobby is going so I shouldn't think there is any benefit in going through the pain of finding ourselves a different niche in the spectrum. I also like the fact it uses much less intrusive transmitter and receiver aerials.

4) As Ritchie has said, 9 channels isn't an unreasonable number when you consider two tracks, gun traverse and elevation, main and machine gun sound/firing, engine sound and smoke control, lights, figures ... Hmm, maybe 12 channels would be a better a starting point

Adrian.

[Graham Ord]

Keeo it simple some of us are not experts!!!

[Ad Wouterse]

Hi guys,

I think that the "super" radio already exists.
Too bad that the site is in German, but I am willing to do a short translation should there be interest.
http://www.brixl.de/brixlcontrol/html/brixlcontrol.html

Some key features:
- 2,4 GHz band
- up to 30 proportional channels
- wireless infra-red transmission between receiver and modules (no wires between hull and turret !)
- mixer for tracked vehicles
- mixer for 2 and 4 wheel steering
- special function for hydraulic systems
- special function for gearbox systems
- special function for stepper motors with end switches
- continuous feed back info and warning signals from the model
etc,etc.

It does not come cheap, but there seems to be little left to be desired.
And...... the system has been on the market for over 2 years now.

[Joe Boylan]

Hi everyone:

Great feedback thus-far - keep those wants & ideas coming.

Ad - that sure is a super radio but I can't read German - I am half German (Kruse side) but never got to learn the language as did my brothers & sisters, I was born in 1949 and my Mother & Father decided it best not to speak it any more here in the States. Just curious as to the price of this decked out radio?

It would be much easier and less a hassle if I did learn German though!

JOE

[Adrian Harris]

> Just curious as to the price of this decked out radio?

I'm guessing it's the 1225 Euro part half way down the price list...

Adrian.

[Jim Fowler]

I remembered this thread from bit back and wanted to revisit it.
I have had my P3 build on the back burner while I addressed this topic. I looked at all the options and decide that for me the following would make "Perfect Transmitter":

Old 75MHz Futaba Skysport 6, fitted an Switch16 operated by the 7th channel and modified with Tamiya quick-fire switches.

I bought all the stuff (including 2, never used Skysport6 Tx/Rx/ servos sets off ebay) for less than $850 for both.

Making two, 22 functions Radio for less than $500 each makes me sort of proud of myself - lets me spend more on the Tanks themselves (GRIN!)

Anyway, just wanted to spout a little - thanks for listening.