be honest! how often do you range check?

[Lynx.1677]

I was about to ask if you had to walk to the furthest point you fly. Couldn't be bothered with that as the field I use is huge. 30 paces isn't so bad. Will give this a go on my next flight, then probably forget all about it again!

[Hangar-7]

With the Spektrum TXs all you have to do is walk 30 paces (90 feet) away from the model and hold down the bind button and with the bind button held you should still be able to see all the controls working properly.

Ah.. slight correction here Trillian - you need goto setup menu, highlight "Range Check" then follow steps as above.

Basically by holding up the trainer switch, you reduce the power output from the Tx. So, if it works for a short distance (30 metres) then it should be ok with Tx full power on.

I take extra precaution, and face the Tx away from the model and see if it still works.

[trillian]

Ah.. slight correction here Trillian - you need goto setup menu, highlight "Range Check" then follow steps as above.

Ah, I see. Well I only have a DX7 and on the DX7 you do not have to go to any menu, you can range check from your main screen just by holding down the bind button. (which also means to make sure the bind button does not accidentally get pressed in flight somehow)

[scallybert]

Ah, I see. Well I only have a DX7 and on the DX7 you do not have to go to any menu, you can range check from your main screen just by holding down the bind button. (which also means to make sure the bind button does not accidentally get pressed in flight somehow)

NB When range checking a DX7, make sure you don't hold the bind button as you switch on the Tx (eg by mistake). Because this put the Tx in bind mode, it makes the Tx erase the info it holds on the Rx(*); and you'll need to re-bind.

[
* It surprised me the Tx learns and holds information.

http://www.spektrumrc.com/ProdInfo/F...0UserGuide.pdf

4. Q: Sometimes my receiver loses its bind and won’t connect requiring rebinding. What happens if the bind is lost in flight?
A: The receiver will never lose its bind unless it’s instructed to. It’s important to understand that during the binding process the receiver not only learns the GUID (code) of the transmitter but the transmitter learns and stores the type of receiver that it’s bound to. If the transmitter is placed into bind mode, the transmitter looks for the binding protocol signal from a receiver. If no signal is present, the transmitter no longer has the correct information to connect to a specific receiver and in essence the transmitter has been "unbound" from the receiver. We’ve had several DX7 customers that use transmitter stands or trays that unknowingly depress the bind button and the system is then turned on losing the necessary information to allow the connection to take place. We’ve also had DX7 customers that didn’t fully understand the range test process and pushed the bind button before turning on the transmitter also causing the system to "lose its bind."
]

Also bear in mind that if you fail the range test, you'll also be testing out your failsafe set-up. ie it will be like you turned the Tx off first.

Hopefully your motor won't switch to full-power...

[GravityKills]

there are other problems with helis that are much more likely to hit me than a radio failure. Common sense tells me to spend the time looking for the most likely problems.
BTW I've had now two cases of Spektrum lockout, and all the range checking wouldn't have made any difference.

[Hangar-7]

Ah, I see. Well I only have a DX7 and on the DX7 you do not have to go to any menu, you can range check from your main screen just by holding down the bind button. (which also means to make sure the bind button does not accidentally get pressed in flight somehow)

Well, well some of us are still practising at a nursery slope...I think I'll wait till Spectrum sort out all their teething problems before I leap for DX7.

TBH, I'm still not convinced that their Rxs have long range as I need them for flying slope gliders. I fly them miles away from me and at a very high altitude. A few other of my friends have made similar comments too.

[scallybert]

[...]so it looks like the dx7 is fritzed. it and the wot4's rx (ar500) are now on there way to horizon

Are you likely to find out what was wrong with it ?

[del19_82]

I used to range check before my first flight when I was flying 35meg but since moving to a DX7 I have only done it about once a month.

[Aidi]

I heeded your advice Ron, and did a range check before flying my plane for the first time, however still managed to nose dive it into the deck on its second flight! Luckly its a z-foam model, so armed with some epoxy and sticky tape its now all back in one piece!

Ill range check it again before the next flight... which will hopefully end with a sucessful landing!

Rgds
Aidi

[pgkevet]

It may be OTT but I range check before the first flight of the day every time I take a model out to the field.

Ditto with the IC helis and I get a tad annoyed at folk that don't.
It's harder to do with electric (except those with separate flight power) unless moving pinions or taking off blades 'cos my range check always includes failsafe check - and a failed failsafe check on electric isn't safe..