JR9X2 UK Spektrum module rangecheck

[barney]

How many paces are you guys getting with your button pressed with the 9X2 and the UK Spektrum modules?

thanks Brian

[Fixxxer]

You'll have to explain a bit here, what exactly do you mean ?

[SRH990]

To carry out a range check on any Spektrum setup, including the modules, you hold in the bind button which reduces the radios range and then walk away twiddling the sticks until the heli stops responding. I've never really worked out exactly how far away I can get but it's certainly over 30ft although positioning your body between the tx & rx dramatically reducing this, the shadowing effect that 2.4ghz systems suffer from.

[Fixxxer]

OK, but why would you want to range check it at a cut down level ? does say 30ft correspond to a certain amount in full range ?

[barney]

Hi Fixxer, When you range check a 35Mhz radio you achieve the power reduction by retracting your aerial.

When you get a chance you should range check whatever system you are using to establish It's particuliar max ground range. A reduction in range is a very good indication all is not right. This should be part of your pre-flight routine every time you go to the field.


With the Spektrum system you press the bind button on the back of the Tx to limit it's output power for range checking as the aerial is fully extended at all times.

The reason I'm asking is my DX7 gives well over 100 paces as does another 9x2 with an earlier spektrum module both UK purchased.

Another pilot recently got a module for his a 9X2 and is getting around 32 paces..which is a massive difference.

Steve have you established your maximium ground range? or just gone to the recommended 30 paces etc

thanks Brian

[SRH990]

Steve have you established your maximium ground range? or just gone to the recommended 30 paces etc

thanks Brian

I'm actually checking out to 30 paces, not 30ft, bit of a brain fade but I don't really check too much farther and I've certainly not had any problems in use and I flt well out at times. I have checked out to over 70 paces with the heli on top of my car previously but could only do so in one direction so I had someone rotate the heli, the signal was still strong at 70 paces but I was disappearing round a bend in the road and couldn't see the heli any further away

[Fixxxer]

I see, thanks for the explanation.

[barney]

Hi Steve/Fixxer. With Rangechecks I have found that you really need to repeat them the same way each time otherwise the results will vary quite significantly.

For example I always sit the model at ground level. If I place it on the starting bench the range will increase a fair bit.

Another factor is the angle you present the Tx antenna at and even the way the model is facing will influence the test.

Actually when you think about it there also lots of other things to consider but the most important bit is to do it the same way whatever your prefered method is.

BTW the figures I gave are for model at ground level and TX aerial roughly at 45 deg up and not running (Nitro's).

It's surprising how few people actually do a full check as I posted this on another forum with no replies!

Thanks

[moyesboy]

If the grass is damp itmakes a difference forsure.
I got between 30 and 40 paces beofre there were a few hesitations in the controls with my Dx7 over damp grass, heli sat on the floor.

[barney]

Thanks moyesboy..My DX7 was one of the first in the country as was my friends Spektrum module although both were UK sourced. I wonder if they are the supposedly 'high' powered versions...as this may explain the difference.

This latest module the other pilot got rangechecks about 1/4 the distance we are getting...32 paces which seems very low to me..but it does seem to echo your own rangechecks. It has flown fine but does make you wonder!

I for sure wouldn't fancy sticking it in a F3J glider and flying to maximium visible range..

[moyesboy]

Stick it in a foamy glider and fly that to maximum range then.
I'm willing to bet the airborne range is out of sight.
I took my raptor50 up until I could hardly see it the other day.

By the way the 9 ch rx you can plug in two satalite receivers.
So if you have a carbon glider or something you think might blank the transmission you can just stick the two sat receivers on the outside somewhere and it will work fine. They are tiny.

[hairy flyer]

Hi I just got a 9x2 spektrum module and some receivers and did some range checks today and the results varied according to receiver.
9 channel greater than 65 paces
7 channel (full range) 22 paces
6 channel (park flyer) 10 paces
Tried it with model off the floor and no improvement
Tried my friends tx module (both in his tx and then in mine) and we got greater than 65 paces with the same receivers.
I also did a full range check with the park flyer receiver and we got 200 paces
My friends module was one of the first in the country so it gets you wondering.
However I cant undertstand why the nine channel has such good range whilst the seven channel range (which should also be full range) is clearly unacceptable. Anyway should get a replacement module tomorrow.
Will let you know the results

[barney]

MMMM...Interesting..I think it makes good sense to do some decent rangechecks then as it seems to vary quite a bit

thanks Brian

[raptorheli2]

well.....get this one lads.

this was all done with 35mhz sets and helis sitting on tables.

barney knows our club and we have a hedge possibly 800ft away i think it was according to gps, certainly a long way away anyway. well 3 of us with identical helis (trex nitro) all done range checks with the tx aerial on first notch if you like. a hitec tx got about 300 ft before the heli failsafed. a 9x2 got about 350ish before it locked out. my own 14mz made it all the way to the hedge (800ft) without cutting out. now i know for a fact i normally only get maybe 100ft and it goes but it just shows what conditions can do. i swear this is true...amazing the singnal got that far with the aerials only on first notch (the 14mz by default is that length)

cheers

[barney]

I've been fortunate enough with my own radios to get consistant results. The only exception have been a couple of Futaba Dual conversion RX's that initially lost range before they went t%$s up.

Iv'e actually reached terminial range with FF8/FF9 and 9Z using foamies doing the longest glide after a day on the slopes

Best range I ever got was my old Futaba 'M' series on 27AM on 'Blue'..which incidently coresponded to the 27meg CB radios calling channel 19?. On one occasion I flew an electric thermal glider one handed cuddle box style sitting in a deck chair using binnoculars.. I flew downwind in a thermal till I could just see it and then flew it back under power!..LOL..those were the days

The other thing we used to do was reach for the clouds, playing chicken seeing who would bale first after it was in the clouds..then count the no of spins..things were simple back then..