Techniques > Radios
Moving to 2.4Ghz....
Fred:
Just back from the slope, testing my new 2.4ghz system with the good old EasyGlider :D
After I sold my Corona system, started to look for a new one... Didn't had to look far as I already saw the system made by FrSky and was impressed (and so a lot of other people!) with the specs of their product.
2.4ghz system, ACCST (like FASST), and cherry on the cake, telemetry!
All that for about 50 euros :D
So, played with it for a little while, and today, made the first flight.
There is a range check function, and in low power, had about 40 mtr range (that's a bit more of 2 miles range at full power in theory).
As expected, like the Corona system really, no problem at all! Did not manage to fault the system whatever I tried!
Telemetry now... You have a range alarm, and a RX battery voltage by default. The good thing, is that the telemetry protocole is open source! Lots of stuff is being made, like a vario etc etc, and all that at ridiculous prices! :D
Failsafe is dead simple to program on the RX (set the controls like you want them for the fail safe, press a button... and done!)
I m waiting my 5dbi aerial for the TX, that should extend the range to 7+ miles (tested by a few guys on RCGroups :D ).... Don't need it, but will feel safer (peace of mind).
They are going to release a "box", like the Jeti box soon, with a few captors (vario etc)... Looking forward to that!
Anyway, you guessed it, I'm pleased with the system, cheap, secure, full of functions like bigger expensive brands (or even better for some...).
Next glider, the Alpina !
Happy Days:
So, Mon Ami, you’ve entered the world of modern radio communication (2.4Ghz.) :clap:
Haven’t heard of ACCST. (Another type of channel hopping I presume) Each rx has to be linked to the tx, does it? At least you’ll have no fear of another flyer shooting down your precious Alpina.
I have to say I’m a little sceptical about telemetry. I can’t really see that it satisfies a need or offers an advantage to the pilot. :?: (Other than curiosity.)
I mean,………Dual Rates? Yes I can see the advantage of those.
Exponential?…….I can see the advantage of that as well.
Being able to mix control surface movements together?…………Yes.
All these things can, if the pilot wants to, be used to improve, or make easier the skill of flying. But Telemetry?
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying it’s a bad thing. But I just get the feeling that Telemetry is gimmick that the salesmen have come up with to try to convince us that it’s the latest ‘Must Have’ gadget.
What do you think of it Fred?
Keith
Fred:
Hey Keith,
Yeah, that's like FASST, with diversity (the 2 aerials are active).
Never had a problem in 41 or 35Mhz, so that's a bit weird to me to move to something else knowing I never had any issues... But for the sake of safety, flying machines over 12 ~ 15Kgs, keep thinking that one less parameter to worry about (being shot down) might worth the hassle.
For the telemetry now, I think this is one more safe point to take on board. Knowing your battery voltage at all time in flight, is definitively a plus (even if I never had problems with batteries ! Part of the "job" to keep them healthty and check them before flying if you know what I mean).
Range... Well, that's default, so why not.
After that, I might get into a Vario thingy, but really don't feel the need, especially in Slope Soaring, that kind of remove the fun on thermal days! :D
So, to me, telemetry, yes, but not abusing it (voltage alarm, and that's pretty much it), I want to fly my plane, not spend my time playing video games!
And I never use Dual Rates :P
Ron:
Hi Fred and All,
This 2.4GHz thing is interesting.
We all know (don't we?) that the 2.4GHz band was not intended for controlling models, but why not do it if it's possible?
There's lots of 2.4GHz activity around here. Even my broadband arrives by 2.4GHz link from Mt. Gabriel. That's about 9.4km away, but it needs special antennas both ends.
And the BB provider (Digital Forge) uses 2.4GHz for their back-links to connect to other of their base stations as well.
And of course nearly everyone has a home wireless network that uses 2.4GHz.
None of these used diversity as far as I know, as there are specific RF channels.
And having worked for a short while on frequency hopping systems for the UK MOD, they are surprisingly tolerant of interference.
You can still, of course, still suffer from saturation of a receiver input stages by a strong nearby TX signal, but that shouldn't be a problem when the RX is in a model aircraft.
But like you Fred, I have never suffered from any problems with 35MHz.
So should I change too? :?
Telemetry.
Now I can see a use for that.
Battery voltage definitely, especially if it could show minimum voltage during servo movement (highest current).
Vario?
Altimeter?
Well, full size glider pilots use them and they should be able to fly 'by the seat of their pants' unlike us poor earth-bound souls.
So yes, I would go for a vario and an altimeter.
And something that could be interesting is airspeed.
Where is the stall point?
When you are 'flying backwards' in a strong breeze, just how much slower can you go without falling out of the sky?
But first I have to just get the EG up in the air :oops:
Aidan:
Telemetry definitely has it's uses.
I just started using the Jeti system a short while ago. The standard functions on all the JETI 2.4GHz receivers are RX voltage and signal strength for each antenna. It's great to know the voltage of your RX battery and know you'll get a warning well before you ever fully discharge it. Don't know about the rest of you but I probably never drained an RX pack below 50% just in case (so all my packs were heavier than necessary or I got less flying time than I could have). I can see the signal strength function being useful too although I haven't made much use of it yet. For example it'll give you some warning if you're flying in a very "noisy" area where you wouldn't otherwise know there was a risk. It should be possible to use this as a lost model finder as well! :wink:
Probably the biggest advantage of telemetry for me will be measuring battery usage for electric planes. This needs a separate sensor so I won't be using it on my indoor planes for example but for larger stuff it's very useful to be able to monitor pack voltage, current draw and capacity used while in the air. Instead of timing the flight and guessing if you've used more or less throttle than usual you have a fuel gauge and you can put an alarm on it if you like.
So for example I put a current/voltage/capacity sensor in my electric glider. It's got an 800mAh pack in it powering the motor and radio. After flying a few climbs to altitude and some thermalling I wouldn't have much idea what was left in the cells so if I was to catch a thermal I'd be wondering if I had the power left to spend an hour circling in it. But now, with telemetry set to alarm after I've used 600mAh, I have absolutely nothing to worry about until the alarm goes off telling me I need to start thinking about coming down.
The telemetry doesn't get in the way of normal flying. The information is there if you need it but there's no need to even think about it the rest of the time.
Aidan
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